The School of Communications plans not to renew six faculty positions as part of its proposal to the University Future Committee.

The school looked for areas to cut that would have the least impact on academics, said Daniel Pfaff, associate dean for resident education.

"We won't be able to renew some people when the time comes . . . it's not cost-free," Pfaff said.

The plan -- which will save the school a projected $190,763 -- is part of the school's recommendations to the future committee. The proposal will be submitted to University President Joab Thomas this spring.

Each college outlined plans to cut general funds budgets by 10 percent, as well as possible uses for subsequent 2.5 and 5 percent enhancements.

Despite fewer fixed-term faculty, Pfaff said he does not expect bigger class sizes because adjustments in the school have already been made, citing the increased size of Communications 150 -- The Art of Cinema. Fixed-term faculty are not part of the University's tenure track.

Faculty non-renewals will be based on scheduling needs, Pfaff said.

R. Thomas Berner, professor of journalism and American studies, said the school's future task force looked at several options and agreed that reallocating funds from equipment and travel budgets would harm the school.

Berner said he believes cutting those areas would hurt students and faculty, adding that the school is equipment-dependent in areas such as broadcast journalism.

In addition to faculty cuts, the film, advertising and journalism graduate programs will not accept students until the school increases its graduate assistantships, Pfaff said.

The school needs more assistantships to attract students, he said, adding that school officials hope to increase support with requested enhancement money.

The school also plans to improve the graduate journalism program, changing it from a one- to a two-year program, said Gina Lee (graduate-journalism).

Many students in the program are from different backgrounds, Lee said, adding that a two-year program would give people more time to complete requirements.

Lee, who works at WPSU-FM and hopes to graduate next summer, said most students do not have assistantships, making it necessary for them to get outside jobs.

"Right now everything's kind of crammed," she said, but added that she hopes the proposal will not deter students who want to get into the program. "It's not going to bother me until I see what the changes are."

Students currently in the programs will able to finish, Pfaff added.

"We tried to pick places where the pain would be the least," he said.

Other recommendations include:

-- Eliminating one tenure-track, non-faculty salary related to the move of WPSU to WPSX-TV. WPSX will pick up the salary.

-- Adding an undergraduate public relations option.