For nearly three years, UNC Wilmington has had an exciting and fulfilling relationship with the hit television show “Dawson’s Creek.” However, recent rumors have spread, claiming that the relationship may soon be coming to an end.

The show’s main characters are in their senior year of high school and are set to graduate at the conclusion of this season. Because it is not clear how the show plans to adjust, the source of the rumors lies in this uncertainty.

“Dawson’s Creek” is a teenage-drama that airs weekly on the Warner Brothers’ network. It is filmed throughout Wilmington, frequently on the UNCW campus.

During shootings for the show, Alderman Hall is transformed into the fictitious Capeside High School, where the characters of “Dawson’s Creek” go to school. The show has filmed on various other locations on campus, such as Randall Library, Hanover Gym and Greene Track and Field, among others.

“It’s been great for us because we’ve been associated with Dawson’s Creek,” said Mimi Cunningham, assistant vice chancellor for university relations.

The show’s presence has become a fixture on campus. Because of its relationship with the television show, the university has gained an increasing amount of national publicity. The school’s name has found its way to nationwide magazines, newspapers and national television, as it appears on the Dawson’s Creek credits.

Since the university has played an integral part in the show’s taping, Cunningham said she has occasionally noticed “kids walking around with cameras.” More often than not, they are visiting, hoping to find a glimpse of the show’s stars on campus, she said.

“It’s given us a little notoriety,” said Dick Scott, assistant vice chancellor of business affairs.

Scott is the school’s main contact for “Dawson’s Creek.” He is primarily in charge of setting up dates and locations for on-campus shoots. His main objective when scheduling the show’s shoots is to ensure that it does not interfere with classes.

That is precisely why most of the filming is done in the front of campus, where fewer classes are held, and during school breaks.

Before rumors had begun to spread that “Dawson’s Creek” might be packing up and leaving Wilmington, the university began to make itself more readily available for the thriving film industry in town. The need to provide resources for the industry has become increasingly important in recent years due to the increase in filming in Canada, where movies benefit from large tax breaks and a higher exchange rate.

According to Scott, in response to the Canada threat, “the Governor (Hunt) asked us to consider waving fees when shooting on state property,” in order to reduce the industry’s cost of production.

Last April, the university decided to waive the $1,000 per day location fee that it charged “Dawson’s Creek” to film on campus. The show still has to pay direct expenses such as the on-duty police officer that it assigns for every shoot.

The cut in expenses for the show has opened up more opportunities for students, particularly those in the film studies department.

“We felt we could get more value for our students,” Scott said.Currently, eight film studies students are interning with “Dawson’s Creek.” Their duties include work in the camera, sound, location, art and lighting departments. Another student interns as a set production assistant.

“It’s great for the students because they get hands-on experience…see what it’s really like to work in the film industry,” said Chip Hackler, associate director of film studies.

Hackler said that it is “hard to predict” the effect “Dawson’s Creek” would have on film studies if it did move from Wilmington.

The show presently offers the most internships for students within the film studies program.

As of now, there has been no official statement from representatives of “Dawson’s Creek.” Dick Scott’s contact with the show said they are committed to finishing out the season here in Wilmington, but cannot speculate as to what will happen after that.

Until then, the show’s presence on campus remains and the university will continue to benefit from it.