Here’s a wild idea, courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel — why not consider offering some space to professional news organizations inside your newsroom or department?
Some of you already do, of course — you might have an NPR affiliate on campus, or you share space with a wire service, or you’ve conceived of another unique collaboration.
Sure, it’s a little unsettling to hear about news organizations increasingly selling or moving out of their longtime homes to save money or downsize. But perhaps there’s a silver lining — an opportunity for your department or student media organization to build on networking capital, especially if you can get your university on board.
Look for a quiet space that gets good internet and could be used for Zoom or in-person interviews, but don’t make it so far out of the way that students wouldn’t be able to see the pros at work. Think about nearby parking for personal vehicles and even satellite trucks.
Then communicate its availability to your network (especially on social), and encourage your students to do the same.
Do you already work with a professional news agency with space on campus? Let me know how that works and I’ll attempt to share it in a future newsletter. Until then, carry on my wayward ones. The semester’s end draws near!
An update on Poynter’s Diversity Across the Curriculum
Thanks to the many, many of you who applied for Diversity Across the Curriculum. We had vastly more applicants than seats available, which tells us that there’s a real need for this teaching and that we need to continue to offer it in the future. Stay tuned for information about a fall cohort as we look at ways to help programs embrace real diversity, equity and inclusion.
In the meantime, Teachapalooza is coming up June 4-5. This affordable, two-day virtual event is designed to help college journalism educators catch up, power up and reignite their passion for teaching. If you’ve never attended, this is the year! And to our repeat customers, we look forward to convening with you again.
Story idea alert!
Have you heard of transcript ransom? Check out this piece from The Hechinger Report: Colleges are withholding transcripts and degrees from millions over unpaid bills. Here’s the gut-punching pull quote: “Nationwide, 6.6 million students can’t obtain their transcripts from public and private colleges and universities that block them from access for having unpaid balances as low as $25 or less.” Is this happening at your school? This seems like the kind of story in which once you find sources, they would be more than happy to talk. The more outrageous the hold, the better the story.
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