AMBIVALENCE

Ever heard someone say, “Well, I want to, but I don’t, you know?” or “I like him, but I don’t. You get what I’m saying?” The speaker could just say they’re ambivalent.

I came across this word reading a Scholars and Rogues article about the elimination of University of Colorado’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Samuel Smith points out that graduates of other programs may be better at researching, analyzing and presenting information than those of the journalism program. Some journalists succeed without ever having a relevant degree, so the discontinuance of the J-school won’t affect talent and work ethic.

But as a SJMC graduate, he feels ambivalent.

I have similar, conflicting feelings toward my major. There are some talented students in the journalism and mass communication school at St. Bonaventure, but there are also a lot of lazy ones. I’ve seen students make up sources, fabricate quotes or just go to their friends for easy, quick information.

If you have the drive, you can be a journalist. You don’t need a degree to say you are one.

On the other hand, I have learned a lot from the Russell J. Jandoli School – things I wouldn’t have learned in other places. Whenever I need help or advice, the faculty members reach out and follow through. I must admit, if the university wanted to shut down our program (highly unlikely in the next decade), I’d be sad to see it go.

I’d probably share Smith’s feeling of ambivalence. I’d hate to see my undergraduate program end, but it wouldn’t trouble me.