Tragedy

Breaking news can often turn in to more than just “wow” look what we did. While there was excite about getting a good story online last night the feeling of accomplishment quickly became over shadowed the following morning.

A university member died tragically and we as a staff have to go and cover this event. What looked like something of a story to keep the student body informed has grown to a story about how those affected can get help and mourn.

Unlike the commercial media, the student media is often close to events like this. Knowing the person(s) on a first name basis, spending time with them in class and creating bonds. College is a transition time for many people. You learn new skills, gain knowledge and share a special few years with those around you going through the same process. Connections are made that many people remember for the rest of their life. To report, and take a step back, on the very people you made those connections with is difficult.

I told you I couldn’t make this stuff up – just didn’t think it would happen this soon.

This blog post is dedicated to our departed university community member and all those on our staff who have to walk the fine line between friend and reporter.

Tragedy

Breaking news can often turn in to more than just “wow” look what we did. While there was excite about getting a good story online last night the feeling of accomplishment quickly became over shadowed the following morning.

A university member died tragically and we as a staff have to go and cover this event. What looked like something of a story to keep the student body informed has grown to a story about how those affected can get help and mourn.

Unlike the commercial media, the student media is often close to events like this. Knowing the person(s) on a first name basis, spending time with them in class and creating bonds. College is a transition time for many people. You learn new skills, gain knowledge and share a special few years with those around you going through the same process. Connections are made that many people remember for the rest of their life. To report, and take a step back, on the very people you made those connections with is difficult.

I told you I couldn’t make this stuff up – just didn’t think it would happen this soon.

This blog post is dedicated to our departed university community member and all those on our staff who have to walk the fine line between friend and reporter.

Breaking news

You would think breaking news would just carry a sense of urgency not always the case. Had some writers get a lead on the story but decided to hold it until tomorrow.
It wasn’t until the EIC decided we needed to get this up the story finally made it online – by another writer. So why would the first writers feel left out? The old saying snooze you loose applies here just hope they learned their lesson.

The First Day

Day one: paper was late to the printer but hit stands on time. News had some major problems but they are trying. Did a story with out getting both sides. Tried to break it online first but kind of bit us on the backside. Luckily, the print piece was better just need to update online story now.

Back to school

First issue for back to school. Big isssue for both sales and editorial. Think we tried a bit hard to do a double truck, which may be scrapped for a later issue this week. Sales look good, came close to a record and was more than last year. Still, editorial was ticked over same last minute ads which did technically come in before deadline.

Here is to hoping our sales continue and we all still make deadline – especially editorial.

Let the games begin!

Sometimes it just sucks

Sometimes life can be cruel and makes you wonder what is God’s plan.

Today the Editor in Chief had to take her kid to the hospital. Of course this is after deadline and having put in a 12+ hour day. On top of that, a faculty member who helps advise the paper announced he has been diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. Been undergoing chemo for a month or so but kept his condition from the staff over the summer. Could look at it like why or how bad. The good news is the EIC’s kid is ok and the faculty member, well, let’s say the chemo has added a few more months.

Yeah, sometimes life can just suck.

Good story?

So much of what goes in to the paper, or online, is done by students just learning to cut their teeth on the paper. Not always the best and sometimes, yes, really bad.

Story came in today and most of it was from a press release. What wasn’t from the press release was just ripped from a website. Yeah, hope this story doesn’t make the light of day at least in the current form. Two days before deadline, here is to getting a better story.

On the bright side, the journalist didn’t fake or take a quote from some other source! Hey, we really try not to violate other copyrights – honestly!

Training Day

What would life be with out training? Perhaps a little more sweet if not for the normal food fare from campus catering. Who honestly thought awarding a monopoly food contract would be best for the campus?

Training is interesting this year. Better than last year for sure, and full of “new media” info. We had a good local “industry leader” who is on to this new media thing and has some good ideas. The ironic part was how some of this leader’s staff came in later and pretty much countered most of what their boss had said.

Sad to see some of these people not getting the change to their own industry. You might think these are old farts from an age long ago. While some may have graduated college in the 1930s or 40s, others were from the 90′s and even 2001. How can you NOT get the change in media?

Our staff seems to get it and understand the changes taking place. So much so even some of the doubters are starting to turn. One of our design staff was rather skeptical, almost felt like we were taking bets if he would stay for the entire training. Was surprised when he left late for his other J O B. Guess something stuck!

Welcome to The Paper!

The Paper is an idea I had waaay before MTV but unlike the big bucks behind them didn’t have the time or inkling to put my words on paper – or electrons as they are.

There is so much that goes on behind the doors of college newspapers I figured why not blog about it? I need to learn more about blogging anyway and this gives me a great chance to learn about this and experiment as I go along.

The blog will be about a real college newspaper striving to be more than just a “print” newspaper. Like all modern day media we are moving with the web and trying to keep up given funding, advertising and the constant student turn over – despite many being on the five or six year plan. It will also be about the real students, faculty and staff who help put this beast together. I will not use real names because, well, that is just kind of creepy. Life on staff of a college newspaper is often like, no not like, is a soap opera. Love interests, territory fights, grade issues, problems with family, we have it all. I don’t think I could make up some of the stuff!

I hope you enjoy my read and forray in to this new media. Guess I will have to see how many people read this thing. Let me know and if you are on a college newspaper, radio station, TV, yearbook or website drop me a line. I know there are more stories out there and I have some ideas for “add-ons” if people want to tell there own true stories.

Here is to a new year at… The Paper!