Tim Barnard said:

>I am so glad to see Chippewa Tech resuming their online RIM course program!
>I took the courses a couple of years ago, as a result of Mary Welch's
>regular advertisements on the Listserv.

Yes, nice to see that CT resuming is their online program even though they
(like many of the others previously noted) do not offer a records management
degree curriculum.  Seems to me the majority are either archives or library
science specific programs with records management courses almost as an
afterthought.

Now I am not discounting the programs identified; I am sure they are all
good.  But my belief is that for our profession to be taken seriously
(especially in the U.S.), we need a true degree in records management,
either at the undergraduate or graduate level.  North Dakota had a great
curriculum but when Dr. Langemo left so went the program.

The records management body of knowledge is already vast and will only
continue to grow.  Why doesn't ARMA (or the Educational Foundation) gather
all of the brightest researchers in the record management field (maybe
sponsor a summit), develop a recommended curriculum(s) and then present it
to various colleges and universities.  Initially there will be some
resistance but I see a growing market as long as SOX, litigation,
intellectual and personnel information security, etc. continue to be front
page news.

I deal with accountants, lawyers, IT specialist, HR, project managers, etc.
on a daily basis.  Most of them ask the same question - how does someone
learn records management.  When I tell them through on-the-job training,
most of them look at me with surprise.  Maybe some day I can tell them that
you can actually earn a degree in records management.

As PK would say, just my rambling thoughts...

Bruce L. White, CRM, PMP
Manager, Records Management
Sempra Global
619-696-4671
619-696-2534 (Fax)
619-952-7145 (Cell)

"Sempra Global is not the same company as the utility SDG&E or SoCal Gas,
and Sempra Global is not regulated by the California Public Utilities
Commission."

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