I am optimistic about the creative opportunities provided by the communication century but concerned too. We must partner with the business community in joint ventures, consultancies, internships, establishing endowments and in a hundred other ways, always aware of the pitfalls associated with any such relationship. No longer can we do anything very meaningful by relying purely on state revenue sources. Retooling will be imperative. Like the society in which we live we cannot afford to stagnate.
Continuity too is important but it can coexist with change.
Meeting the millenium with tired old paradigms, products and pedagogy will not be a functional adaptation to the tidal wave of change that we will experience. The lethargic changes in the curriculum of communication, our slow adoption of technology and our seeking of shelter from change are maladaptive responses. I intend to address these and other issues in my luncheon speech in Vancouver and to tour some of your campuses in the future to help provide a vision of what we can become. For we should be optimistic. Communication is recognized as more important than at any time in history.