 "Photo: Photo courtesy of cbs.com")
News surrounding the David Letterman scandal has prompted the internship director at Quinnipiac's School of Communications "to be more attentive" when placing student interns. But there are no plans, however, to drop "Late Show With David Letterman" from the internship program.
"The only change is my awareness of what's gone on there," said Grace Levine, professor of communications and director of the communications internship program. "I think I'd be remiss in just trying to ignore this."
Early this month, Letterman found himself at the center of a sex scandal when he announced on-air that he was being blackmailed. News reports identified former CBS producer Joe Halderman as the alleged blackmailer. Letterman said he was asked for a reported $2 million and threatened with revelations about several sexual affairs he had with female employees of "Late Show."
Tmz.com reported early Tuesday morning that the university would review the process by which students are placed on Letterman's show. "I didn't mean to suggest a monumental change or that we were not going to consider the Letterman show as a possible placement [for students]," Levine said about her comments to tmz.com.
The university's office of public affiars released a statement Tuesday afternoon disavowing the tmz.com report.
"Those comments were made by an individual faculty member who has absolutely no authority to speak to the media on behalf of the university," said Lynn Bushnell, vice president for public affairs. "The university does not have a comment on this matter."
Levine reiterated no decision has been made about discouraging students from interning on Letterman's show.
The most recent Quinnipiac intern placed at "Late Show" was in summer 2007, Levine said. Only two or three former QU students have interned with the CBS late-night talk show in the past, she said.
In light of the Letterman scandal, Levine said she does not foresee changes in the internship program.
"What is unusual is what's in the news regarding this scandal, and it heightens my concern," she said.
After admitting to the affairs, Letterman refused to give out any names. However, sources named Stephanie Birkitt, Halderman's former girlfriend, as one of the more recent affairs. Birkitt was an intern for CBS in 1996 and was eventually hired by the show. A representative for the host's Worldwide Pants production company told Eonline.com that Birkitt is on a paid leave of absence.
Levine places more than 200 interns a year into various positions in media companies. All students are required to submit a description of their internship, including supervisor contacts and responsibilities. Levine said if a student was interested in interning for Letterman, she would want to sit down and talk with them before solidifying their plan, as she would do with any other student.
Additional reporting by Jenna Uliano
is a member of the 
14 comments
College PR- should have supported and stood by Dr. Levine. She is one of the most practical, courageous and sensible leaders I have met. She represents grace, elegance and restraint and knows media law inside out. QU should be proud of her at every level! Her supposed comments to TMZ were right on the money, whats wrong with you PR folks?! Please apologize to Prof Levine. This is simply ridiculous. Attacking and undermining your own precious faculty for a no good showman and the worse TMZ!!! Wake up QU and clean up your act as well as the racial outbursts that happen not too infrequently.Dr. Levine, Hope you are doing well,
With my deepest regards and respects for you.
I guess QU is sensitive to the risk of predation against it's students - good for them!DISCLAIMER: I think Letterman is stupid and his jokes are not funny. Call me biased, but his own words reflect very poorly on him.