Dear Students and Colleagues, 

Over the last year we have begun to implement our strategic plan, Forward with Purpose. This process has challenged us to think about the competitive position of Temple, especially with regard to our academic programs, as well as how we can better support our students and help them succeed academically and graduate.   

In that spirit, we are proposing to the Board of Trustees today a new configuration for the departments that make up the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts (TFMA). With approval of this plan, beginning in Fall Semester 2027 the Department of Theater will move into the Boyer College of Music and Dance, and the Department of Film and Media Arts will move into the Klein College of Media and Communication, where it resided prior to the creation of TFMA. As of July 1, 2027, TFMA will no longer exist as a separate school. 

This realignment reflects the fast-changing landscape of the media and entertainment industries and ensures that our graduates are best positioned to thrive. It is important to emphasize that for this year and next, all of the academic programs in TFMA will continue as usual. Any future curricular changes will be guided by faculty and administrators in the two colleges for implementation in academic year 2028-29 and beyond. 

We are excited about this new configuration, as are many of the faculty within Boyer, Klein and TFMA. The timing of these changes will align perfectly with the opening of the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication next fall. 

This plan will be shared with our Board of Trustees for their review and approval later today and available on livestream here. 

Pending board approval, the next step will be to convene a committee of faculty and administrators to facilitate this process; they will help guide the design and execution of this transition.  

Both colleges are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible, and we are grateful for your support as we navigate this process over the next several months. 

Sincerely, 

John Fry 
President 

Elizabeth A. Wentz  
Senior Vice President and Provost  

David Boardman  
Chief Strategy Officer  
Dean, Klein College of Media and Communication

Robert Stroker  
The Joslyn G. Ewart Dean and Vice Provost  
Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts