Imagine UD, or any campus for that matter, without a school newspaper, television station, radio station or yearbook. Campus life would be rather different, wouldn't it?

Why do I propose this hypothetical situation, you ask? I wish to respond to an opinion that seems to be rather commonplace at UD. Unfortunately, I have encountered many students here who have a rather negative view of students in the communication arts program.

A few weeks ago, my Resident Assistant (RA) stopped by to see how we were getting along. We were making small talk when the topic of our majors arose. She asked me what I was studying and I replied 'journalism.'

Little did I know this conversation would inspire me to write this article. Upon hearing my response, she replied with something along the lines of the following, 'Oh, that's right, you guys don't do anything. I have a few friends who are communication majors and they don't do any work.' My RA is a biology major.

Rather than engaging in a potentially senseless debate with her, I decided to organize my thoughts and write a response to her ignorant comment.

Many hold the opinion communication majors are lazy, unproductive and unmotivated. However, I can tell you firsthand this is far from the truth.

For the most part, communication majors make the campus media possible. Who hasn't watched Flyer TV, tuned into Flyer Radio, glanced at a yearbook or read an issue of Flyer News?

Communication majors are the active force behind campus media. They devote countless hours each day to enhance and bring you such entertainment. As a communication major myself, I know many students involved with campus media. 'Lazy' is hardly the word I would use to describe them. In general, they are highly driven, hard working and motivated people. If you don't believe me, walk into the Flyer News office, Flyer Radio studio or the Daytonian yearbook office and observe. I'm confident you will find the staff hard at work.

Perhaps this debate has its roots in ignorance. Many students outside our major don't understand the demands of the communication program. The communication arts program is more of a 'hands on,' interactive approach.

While business majors and engineers work hard on equations and formulas, communication majors learn by doing. Writing press releases, broadcasting television shows and interviewing people all make for a very active learning process. My roommates, both business majors, are constantly studying accounting formulas and concepts, while I'm hard at work on my next Flyer News article. The old cliche of comparing apples and oranges is applicable here. One cannot deem whose work is more challenging or substantial, rather it is just different.

The communication program stresses learning a great deal outside of the classroom. Internships are strongly advised. Many have observed that communication students do not have as great of a workload as other majors.

While this may be the case, I view this objectively, neither as a positive or negative. More homework does not necessarily equate with success in the workplace. I firmly believe experiences matters in the end. I guess this goes back to the concept of learning outside of the classroom'the 'real world.'

A student with a part-time internship might not have a full load of homework; however, they are out in the work environment. A great deal of skills can not be acquired in the confines of a classroom.

Until you have experienced another major, you can not fully know its demands. All majors serve a purpose and add to the unique atmosphere of our campus. It would be rather boring if we were all studying the same disciplines.

My philosophy is that 'it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.' The world needs writers, teachers, engineers, accountants and everything in between. Don't 'knock' someone's major'you never know when you might be in need of a good writer!