Student Media & Organizations
Conference for Undergraduate Research in Communication
Annually since 2004, the Department of Communication has hosted the Conference for Undergraduate Research in Communication (CURC), drawing communication students from numerous colleges and universities throughout the Northeast. Undergraduate scholars present papers and posters that sweep across a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics. Also, and unique among student conferences anywhere, each year all papers are published in a book available for purchase online. www.rit.edu/curc
Communication Colloquium
The Department of Communication offers a twice quarterly colloquium series featuring speakers from outside of RIT discussing subjects of professional interest, "works in progress" by faculty, and graduate students' papers and projects. The Colloquium allows students to learn about careers, current issues and research in the field, and enables students, faculty, and industry professionals to interact and network beyond the classroom, resulting in Co-op and job opportunities and research ideas. Recent Colloquium topics include public relations in the profit and not-for-profit sectors, growing audiences on the Web, and the use of online virtual communities as a pedagogical tool.
Institute Public Speaking Contest
Twice annually since 1988, students from across RIT have competed in the Institute Public Speaking Contest. This venue challenges students to demonstrate a skill that is necessary for personal success, career advancement, and responsible engagement in civic life. Participants come from various majors with a wide range of experiences. The contest culminates in a reception honoring all participants with certificates to be added to students' career portfolios. The top three speakers compete for substantial cash prizes. The contest is managed by the Department of Communication: www.rit.edu/speechcontest
American Advertising Federation
The American Advertising Federation RIT Chapter (AAFR), an affiliate of the national AAF, is the "unifying voice" for advertising professionals. AAFR is comprised of students with backgrounds in various disciplines including advertising, graphic design, photography, and information technology. Members have the opportunity to learn about the advertising profession and become involved in projects, both at RIT and within the community. The AAFR helps students to network and build their portfolios and skills by engaging in the creation of advertising campaigns.
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
(PRSSA) at RIT was chartered August 2007. The Chapter participated in the PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition in its first year, receiving local television news coverage. Becoming a member affords students the opportunity to attend exclusive events, network with professionals, learn about public relations from first-hand experience, and obtain reduced professional fees for the parent organization, Public Relations Society of America. Membership in PRSSA affords students the opportunity to implement skills learned in public relations courses before starting their careers. "Advancing the profession and the 'student' professional" is what this organization is all about. PRSSA meets monthly. www.rit.edu/prssa and www.prssa.org
Lambda Pi Eta
More than 100 students and alumni of the Department of Communication are members of Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society of the National Communication Association. The honor society's mission is to stimulate interest in the discipline of communication and promote professional development among communication majors. Lambda Pi Eta recognizes and fosters outstanding scholarship and achievement in communication studies; induction is by invitation and requires Junior standing as a Communication major and a 3.35 GPA in at least 18 hours of communication courses. Lambda Pi Eta builds stronger relationships between faculty and students and assists students exploring options for graduate education in communication. Lambda Pi Eta members engage in service projects and are leaders in the Department of Communication.
Ethics and Communication Award
The annual Ethics and Communication Award, made possible through a generous donation from a Professional & Technical Communication alumnus, was established in 2004 and recognizes outstanding work in the study of ethics and communication by an undergraduate enrolled in PTC or APR. Artifacts or performances in a variety of media are submitted for consideration including written essays, research papers, interactive CDs, Web sites, performances and speeches.