The Board of Regents suspended admissions to NIU’s journalism graduate school Thursday while at the same time lifting the probationary status from the department’s undergraduate program.

No new admissions to the graduate school will be allowed until a review is completed in three years and improvements are made to the program.

“The next cyclical review (should) place special emphasis on instructional review of proposed curricular changes, elevated admissions standards and enhanced faculty research,” said Regent Brewster Parker in his report to the Regents.

The bachelor’s and master’s degree program in journalism were put on three-year probation in 1984 until curricula could be updated and faculty research could be increased.

Parker also approved the recommendation board member Jerome Bender made Wednesday regarding the help of an outside professional in the review process.

Bender suggested bringing in Gary Watson, an NIU alumnus and former editor of the Northern Star, to assist in evaluation.

“He thinks highly of NIU and wants to help the journalism department,” Bender said.