Membership important step to accreditation of public relations program

-- Carin Mangimeli

Metropolitan State University has no shortage of student-run organizations, but it may be getting one more. In addition to a modification of its curricula, the Professional Communication Public Relations Program is hoping to establish a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) this year.

Shannon Skarpohl Kaml, the curriculum coordinator of the Public Relations (PR) Program at Metropolitan State University, explained to her Public Relations Writing class that forming a chapter of the PRSSA at the college would be an important and critical step toward accreditation of the PR Program by the PRSSA’s parent organization, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). This accreditation would be a boost for the university’s reputation and appeal to future students of the program, aid in the possible receipt of grants and/or federal funding, as well as increase the employability of its graduates.

Why PRSA Accreditation Matters?

According to its Web site, www.prsa.org, the PRSA is dedicated to unifying, strengthening and advancing the profession of PR and building value, demand and global understanding of PR. The PRSA also states its “primary objectives [are] to advance the standards of the public relations profession and to provide members with professional development opportunities…” The advancement of these standards, Skarpohl Kaml says, is imperative to continue to reassure greater society that PR is an ethical and beneficial institution. This assurance, Skarpohl Kaml continues, will lead to uses of PR in positive ways and furthering those traditions the PRSA embodies.

What’s PRSSA, Then?

The student sector of PRSA, PRSSA, endeavors to pass on these traditions to the students of PR so they will be continued in the workforces of the future. According to its Web site, www.prssa.org, PRSSA states that its "student society aims to foster understanding of current theories and procedures of the profession, appreciation of the highest ethical ideals and principles and awareness of an appropriate professional attitude [within PR]..."

How Can Metropolitan State University Establish a Chapter?

According to PRSSA guidelines, a chapter can be formed at any "college or university that offers baccalaureate degrees, is accredited by a nationally or regionally recognized accrediting association or board, offers a sequence of at least five courses in public relations" in the areas of introduction to PR, PR writing and production, PR research, PR case problems/campaign, and a PR internship. It also states that ten students are required to establish a chapter, at least eight of whom must be juniors, as well as an elected faculty advisor that is a current member of the PRSA and teaches at least one of the five required courses. One to two professional advisors that are current members of PRSA with a minimum of five years of experience in PR are also required to assist with professional development. Lastly, the chapter must have the endorsement of the MN PRSA chapter president and four members.

In addition to establishing the chapter with PRSSA, Metropolitan State University has guidelines for establishing new associations. Fortunately, forming a student organization at Metropolitan State University is slightly less complicated. According to its Web site, www.metrostate.edu, students wishing to form an organization send a representative of that organization to the Metropolitan State University Student Senate with an official request for registration. At the scheduled Student Senate hearing to address the request, the representative must present a written mission statement of the organization, which should include a proposed Metropolitan State University faculty/staff advisor, four members who have been registered Metropolitan State University students in the last three quarters wishing to be part of the organization, a completed Student Organization Registration form and Equal Opportunity statement.

On Friday, Jul. 21, a presentation was made to the Student Senate for the establishment of the PRSSA. The Student Senate has not yet made a decision on the proposal.