Chronology

FAMS Committee 2006-07
Formed in November 2006 by Provost Anthony Cummings, the Film & Media Studies Committee’s charge is to explore and report upon the establishment of a Film & Media Studies program at Lafayette.

FAMS Committee Recommendations, April 2007 (excerpted from Committee Report)
As Lafayette rededicates itself to making the Arts a pillar of educational excellence, a strong program in Film & Media Studies can and should play a central role.  The committee recommends the college take the following actions:

  1. Immediately implement a Minor in Film Studies as the first step in establishing a Film & Media Studies program and major.
  1. Hire one (and preferably two), full-time, tenure-track faculty to support the program. As soon as possible, add more teaching power to the program via FAMS targeted searches within existing academic departments.
  1. Establish a dedicated teaching/production facility (preferably within an expanded Williams Center for the Arts) and hire a staff member to support the program’s technical requirements.
  1. Once staff and facilities are in place, construct a curriculum and establish a major in Film & Media Studies.
  1. Establish a college-wide program similar to the Writing Associates component of the College Writing Program.  Student Media Associates (MAs) would be trained to offer production assistance to faculty seeking to integrate media practice into their courses.  An additional administrative hire will be required to supervise this program.
  1. Ensure ongoing FAMS committee meetings to provide oversight and critical feedback during the growth of the program.

Excerpt from The Plan for Lafayette, September 2007
Lafayette will consider the development of a unique interdisciplinary program in film and media studies. This program will integrate rigorous critical study with creative production within a liberal arts context. It will build upon and enhance Lafayette's existing strengths, creating opportunities to bring together obvious disciplinary partners such as English and art, or philosophy and sociology, but also nurturing less obvious collaborations between, for example, computer science and theater, or engineering and music. Lafayette's program will also build active relationships with established film and media artists, integrating career opportunities for students within local, regional, national, and international centers of film and media activity.

Excerpt from Strategic Implementation Plan, February 2008
Develop recommendations to strengthen film and media studies, including suggestions for space and instructional/technical support. Film and Media Studies Advisory Committee (CEP, FAP, Dean of the College, Provost), Spring 2008-Spring 2009.

Enhance cultural offerings Develop recommendations to enhance performance series, gallery exhibitions, artistic residencies, and performance.  Explore ways to obtain a demonstrably higher level of student engagement with all of these offerings. Director of Cultural Programs, Director of Galleries, Dean of College, Provost, VP Student Affairs (DH's)

Develop design for expanding Williams Center for the Arts Art, Music, & English
Departments, Provost, VP for Business Affairs, Director of Williams Center

FAMS Committee, 2007-08
Formed in October 2007 by Provost Wendy Hill, the Film & Media Studies Committee’s charge is to continue to explore and report upon the establishment of a Film & Media Studies program at Lafayette.