What Happened at the Denver Conference:

After a year of exploration and analysis, the Publications Committee recommended that the AEJMC Board of Directors contract with Sage Publications to handle the production of the organization’s three journals: Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, and Journalism & Communication Monographs. During its Saturday, Aug. 7, meeting in Denver the AEJMC Board unanimously approved this recommendation. During the fall of 2010, AEJMC will work to develop a contract with Sage Publications. The contract will move AEJMC journal production from an in-house platform to a publisher platform as of the first issue of 2012.

Background:

Two reasons have served as a catalyst for this change.

One is that AEJMC central is not able to provide the full-text online services of our current issues. We will not abandon hard copy; in fact, we are insisting that the journals maintain print versions.  But it is also clear that most of our younger AEJMC members support the movement to online products.  The complexity of having a high quality web presence that would be available to the world at large while also privileging member access is something at which publishers excel, and we think there is no need to reinvent that wheel.

The second reason is that AEJMC simply cannot provide the global marketing needed to keep our journals among those in the top tier of communication journals.  Outside publishers are in a strong position to help us build audiences in a global way, and that kind of internationalization will become increasingly important.

After issuing an RFP in February, the Publications Committee interviewed three publishers in June. All eight members of the committee were at that meeting and unanimously agreed that this was the appropriate next step for the journals. All three journal editors were also at that June meeting, and were able to ask questions of the publishers.

Key Issues:

• AEJMC will NOT stop providing hard copy versions of the journals. Members and paid subscribers will have BOTH hard copy and online access to current issues, beginning in 2012.
• Members will have the option to receive only online access, but that will be each individual member’s decision.
• Classroom use of our journal content will continue to be FREE.
• Outside subscription prices will increase, but these would still remain much lower than the prices for the divisional journals (which are almost all served by commercial publishers).  Over time, AEJMC will be a full partner in negotiating future increases.
• Membership dues will NOT increase as a result of this change, but they will not go down.
• This contractual arrangement will begin in January 2012, giving editors and AEJMC Central ample time to plan and implement.

<< Post Conference News

Resolution One to the General AEJMC Membership: To Recognize and Honor Richard Burke, AEJMC Business Manager, for His 25 Years of Service to AEJMC.

Richard (Rich) Burke started work for AEJMC in March 1985.

Whereas, as Business Manger, Rich is responsible for processing all financial transactions, paying bills, handling investments and overseeing the building maintenance, and

Whereas, Rich is most visible to members as the Conference Registrar who helps register attendees.

Whereas, in recognition of the importance of Richard’s tireless service to the Association, and

Whereas, in recognition of the valuable contributions he has made to the members both formally and informally.

Therefore, be it resolved that:

The members of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
(AEJMC) formally recognize and commend Richard Burke for his extraordinary and dedicated service these past 25 years.

<< 2010 Resolutions

Resolution Two to the General AEJMC Membership: To Recognize and Honor Fred Williams, AEJMC Convention Manager, for His 25 Years of Service to AEJMC

Fred started work with AEJMC in February 1985.

Whereas, Fred is responsible for maintaining relationships with venues, handling audio/visual and catering requests for the convention and other AEJMC/ASJMC meetings, coordinating exhibits, and suggesting venues for future conventions.

Whereas, Fred also manages publication advertisements and printer relationships for the association, and

Whereas, in recognition of the importance of Fred’s tireless service to the Association, and

Whereas, in recognition of the valuable contributions he has made to the members both formally and informally.

Therefore, be it resolved that:

The members of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
(AEJMC) formally recognize and congratulate Fred Williams for his extraordinary and dedicated service these past 25 years.

<< 2010 Resolutions

Resolution Three: To Recognize and Honor Kappa Tau Alpha, the national college honor society for journalism and mass communication majors, which celebrated its 100th anniversary March 10, 2010

Kappa Tau Alpha, the national college honor society for journalism and mass communication majors, was chartered March 10, 1910. Founded at the University of Missouri, Kappa Tau Alpha is the seventh oldest national honor society.

Whereas, the Society is dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in scholarship, and

Whereas, journalism/mass communication students who are inducted must rank in the top 10 percent of their junior, senior or graduate classes, and

Whereas, more than 66,000 students have been inducted into KTA, and

Whereas, KTA has chapters at 93 colleges and universities.

Whereas, since 1944, KTA has conducted an annual competition for the best research-based book in the field, and,

Whereas, it also co-sponsors the AEJMC/Kappa Tau Alpha Awards Luncheon and presents awards ($1 for every year of KTA’s existence) to AEJMC division student research paper competition winners, among other activities.

Therefore, be it resolved that: the members of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) congratulate and express sincere appreciation to Kappa Tau Alpha as it commemorates its 100th anniversary during 2010.

<< 2010 Resolutions

Resolution Four: To Support Freedom of Speech and of Information in the United States and Internationally.

Freedom of speech and of information has come under increasing threat in the United States and internationally.  Journalists and other media professionals have more frequently faced arrest, imprisonment, physical attack, torture and even death or threats of death for their communication efforts.

Whereas, in recognition of the importance of freedom of speech, of the press and of information to democracy and other forms of governance, and

Whereas, in recognition of the valuable contributions of journalists and other mass communication professionals in the United States and around the world,

Therefore, be it resolved that:

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) goes on record in support of freedom of speech and of information in the United States and internationally,

Be it further resolved that:
AEJMC formally requests that all heads of state and government officials in the United States and internationally actively take steps to ensure protections of free speech, of the press and of information including laws that formally protect freedom of speech and of information.

<< 2010 Resolutions