Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The Hilltop

CAMPUS

Budget Cuts Continue to Surprise Affected School of Communications Faculty, Students

By: Jaylin Paschal, Editor-in-Chief (@creativelbrtn)

In a matter of budgetary staff reduction decisions, The Cathy Hughes School of Communications has lost figures of the school which students deem integral to their success.

After public student opinion refuted and reversed the termination of Ms. Carol Dudley, career development advisor, students have been paying close attention to other faculty shifts.

Notably, former Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Assessment Robin Thornhill was let go last week.

Dean Thornhill served as the Business Advisor for The Hilltop and filled several other roles on campus. She was a Lecturer & Program Manager of the CERCC program and the Director of Adopt-A-Team Professional Development Program. Her presence was considered by many students to be characterized by passion and dedication to student success.

“I don’t know where I would be without Dean Thornhill; she played a vital role in my recognition as one of Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30.’ She also convinced me to come back to Howard to pursue my Ph.D. Dean Thornhill is a staple in the Howard University community, and is a connector, teacher, ally, as well as a mother figure who goes above her job

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

description to make sure the students have a smooth transition in and through the School of

Communications. Howard without her is not Howard at all,” said former student David Castain.

The most revisited point about the layoffs within SOC is their sudden nature.

On Aug. 30, Thornhill was working by 8 a.m. Within the next hour, she was let go.

This layoff, and others within the School of Communications, has left students wondering about the financial state the school.

“According to Dean Lawson-Borders, labor laws are preventing her from giving us further information. We are actively fighting to receive information from administration, and will keep everyone updated as the information is presented to us,” said CHSOC Student Council President Mekkah Husamadeen.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

A town hall will be held Sept. 12 by the CHSOC Student Council. Dean Gracie Lawson-Borders and SOC department chairs will be in attendance to facilitate discussion and provide further information.

“They [students] are upset, confused, and want answers. Transparency between the staff and students is one of our main focuses this year, and our students are being left in the dark,” said Husamadeen.

Howard University did not respond to requests for comment.

Advertisement

You May Also Like

Variety

The author stopped at Howard on October 3rd to discuss his latest book, “The Message.”

SPORTS

The Howard Bison swim team faced off against Georgetown University last Saturday.

CAMPUS

Howard students protested at the Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Administration Building on the anniversary of the year-long Israel-Hamas conflict in an attempt to hold the...

Variety

“STRUT The Yard: The Documentary” shows the behind-the-scenes of the Howard Springfest fashion show competition, and brings attention to the mental obstacles models face...