Another series of fires

It is frustrating being a student journalist. This is something I've pointed out before. I mention it again because it continues to be true. Remember the fires in Pullman last November? I got an early morning phone call about the fire, skipped my first class, and spent the morning covering the fire with Lisa and Victor.

Last night, or early this morning if you prefer, I got a phone call from a photographer at 2 a.m. Apparently, a series of small fires had been set around campus. I got out of bed, don't even change out of my pajamas, and headed to the largest residence hall on campus, which had been evacuated. On the way I call Lisa and Victor and they head to campus to help.

I needed to find out what happened exactly, but the firefighters were busy. Unwilling to give up, I waited outside the residence hall until 3:30 to speak to the Fire Captain on the scene. I got my information, went back to the office, wrote an online story which went up at 4:11 a.m. and returned to my bed by 4:30. I spent the next hour lying awake trying to thaw from my exposure to the elements.

I share all this not to complain. Sure it was difficult, but breaking news is the kind of stuff journalists live for. I was simply disappointed because all my effort wasn't enough. I came into the office this morning at around 8:30 only to discover that an arrest in relation to the fires had been made. A couple hours sleep and we were already behind on the story again, and rather than updating the web version, I had to go to class. There was no skipping possibility this time.

Luckily, Lisa was able to work on the story all day. In the end, I think we made up for the late morning update, but I still wish we hadn't had the gap in our coverage. I ended up having to cancel my news meeting in the afternoon so I could go to the courthouse for the first court appearance of the suspects.

Lisa and I shared a byline for the November fire article and we'll share another in tomorrow's paper. Victor has also been on scene with us both times. He's great for moral support and is always a back up notetaker and helps edit online updates. Apparently we have become quite the reporting trio when it comes to arson coverage.

Journalism and College

Yesterday, I did something I haven't really be able to do in a while. I wrote an update to the fraternity in trouble story the Evergreen broke on Thursday.

In the middle of my day of reporting, making phone calls and waiting for people to return them, I had to go to COM 295 (the news writing class), where I was supposed to learn to do exactly what I was already doing. It was speech writing day, so I had to listen to a speaker for 30 minutes. All I could think about was how my time could be used much more beneficially elsewhere. I had my article for the class finished before the speaker was done talking. I waited for him to finish before I turned it in, but the prof still gave me a very skeptical look for being done so quickly. At the time, I didn't care. I had more important things to care about.

This is part of the difficulty of being a student journalist. We try to do everything any other newspaper would do, but we have to fit classes in each day also.

In the evening, I moderated The Daily Evergreen ASWSU Presidential Debate. Brian was the timer. Afterward, I had another rare experience. Someone interviewed me for his broadcast class. I didn't want to, but in the end, decided to help him out. It was weird to be on the other end of the questions.

Another newsroom insight

The Managing Editor and I wait to hear the Russell verdict. The jury found him guilty on all counts. More Evergreen coverage of the case can be found here.

Another sad coffee story

I've haven't posted in a while so I have some catch up posting to do. There are several things I meant to blog about during the week but didn't, like ...

On Wednesday, I had a rough morning. Wednesday's are my sleeping in day, but last week it was also the day of our special Best of Pullman section. I had a profile for Pullman's favorite police officer due by noon, but had yet to speak to the subject. I knew he started work at 7 Wednesday morning. I set my alarm for 8, figuring I would give him some time to get settled at work, wake up and call him, and schedule an interview for later in the morning. Unfortunately, at 8:00, while I'm still in my pajamas, he said then was a good time for an interview. So I quickly got dressed, put myself together, and drove to the Pullman police station. I had no time for breakfast or more importantly coffee, and it was very cold.

The early morning interview finished, I immediately went to get myself some coffee. It was going to fix my desire for coffee and warm me up. But I was tired and running on auto pilot. I mistakenly ordered an iced latte. By the time I realized it, it was too late. I ruined the thing which could have saved my morning. I was sad. And still cold.

More observations from yours truly

I like my TA's old haircut much better than her new one. (The class has me so engaged that this is what I think about.)

Today, a discussion turned debate about the best way to raise children, seemed a bit irrelevant when the class is an introduction to communication technology.

Further extending the metaphor about newspapers being like eating ice cream cones, constantly seeing phantom drips coming off my cone is like having newspaper dreams.

If the class understands what the informal logical fallacy of division is after two examples, the class probably still understands after example five. Stopping after example two would have been appreciated. (Not to mention a better use of class time.)

The newsroom fish, Woodstein, does not seem overly fond of the rubber ducky I put in his bowl.

So much for a break

A fire broke out near a couple apartment complexes around 3:30. The editor, managing editor, and I happened to be in the newsroom when the call came in on the scanner and drove to the scene. There were several natural fire breaks so only about an acre of field was burned. In the photo I'm waiting to talk to the head firefighter. I had already interviewed several people watching.

A week well done

While Pullman is by no means a bustling metropolis, I'm a firm believer in making the best of things and moving forward. So while the Communication School has thus far been a disappointment, I console myself and am made happy through working at the newspaper.

Similarly, while I sometimes miss Olympia's downtown, it is possible to spend an afternoon just as pleasantly in Pullman. After our noon class where we watched an episode of Law & Order (it's a Criminal Law class) the editor and I walked to a nice little thrift shop, hidden among a throng of fraternity and sorority houses. I couldn't resist picking up what at the time I thought to be a rather tacky tie (now I think it's just more ugly) for a collection, and two old books.

After our adventures at the thrift shop, we returned to the newsroom and picked up the managing editor for another trip to Ferdinand's for ice cream. As today was surprising warm, the walk was pleasant. Tomorrow we plan to visit the Farmer's Market in Moscow, ID.

The relaxing and laid back day was all too welcome after a week full of breaking news due to the sexual assault incident on campus. I also had two tests this week. I'm proud of the way we covered the incident but am looking forward to things dying down a bit. I skipped a class on Thursday and spent the afternoon at the courthouse with the copy chief to get an update on the Russell case also.

The week has been a busy one and though I'm a bit tired, it's nice to have busy week once in a while. It makes you feel like you accomplished something. It also makes me appreciate a day like today that much more.

Like eating ice cream

Eating an ice cream cone is like working at a newspaper. You have to constantly watch the edges of the cone for any possible drips. Sometimes a drip comes really close to falling off the cone because your attention was on another drip, but you catch it at the last minute. Other drips get on your clothes. The end of the cone, when ice cream starts melting out the bottom, is like deadline.

The above is a discussion I had with the editor-in-chief as we walked back from covering an event while eating Ferdinand's ice cream. She made the comparison.

A Week in My Life

While I haven't had much class this week, I haven't been without work. I've spent an increased amount of time in the newsroom. My suitemate always asks me what I do there. Here's a little run down on everything I'm working on this week. The work week for newspaper begins on Sunday.

Sunday: I write an article about White Activism fliers posted around campus.

Monday: I do interviews and write a preview for the 33rd Murrow Symposium.

Tuesday: I start working on a story about the libraries and get enough information to finish it. I then go to the Murrow Symposium at 7:30, come back to the newsroom, and write a story on deadline.

Wednesday: I come in to work on a story about the CUB, but my editor needs me to pick up some stories for Mom's weekend. I write a brief for a discussion with the WSU President for Friday, and then I write an article about the College of Veterinary Medicine Open House which will occur this weekend. I conduct interviews on a new sexual harassment policy. At 6:00, I cover a meeting at the WSU Children's Center.

Thursday: I will go to the Faculty Senate meeting at 3:30 to cover the vote on the new sexual harassment/discrimination policy. Will probably set up interviews for English research paper.

Friday: Com 101 test. I will cover the discussion with WSU President at 3:00.

Saturday: The only day this week I don't have to go into the newsroom. I will work on my English paper and a debate for my Poli Sci class.

Sunday: Need to have the story about the President's discussion and the new harassment policy finished by 4:00.

Monday: At 7:30 I will cover a speech by Washington's Chief Justice. I will also being working on the CUB story which I put off on Wednesday, and continue investigating the Children's Center.

Hopefully the rest of next week will be a little slower.

The day I met someone from The NY Times

One of my favorite parts of being a journalist is all the people I have the opportunity to meet. While working on the administration beat this past semester, I have regularly met with university administration for interviews. No only have I spoken with President Rawlins several times, but I also had the opportunity to speak with and meet WSU's incoming President Elson S. Floyd. At the beginning of this year I interviewed Mike McGavick while he was on campus and have met numerous others whose names you would not recognize, but who I greatly enjoyed getting to speak with.

Just today, Ethan Bronner, a Deputy Foreign Editor for the New York Times, came into the newsroom to speak with The Daily Evergreen staff before going to a campus-wide presentation. Getting to meet such a prominent member of a field I am interested in was amazing. He also gave some sound advice.

On the ever present dilemma for print journalists on reporting versus editing, Mr. Bronner commented thusly:

"The difference between reporting and editing is like the difference between being single and being married with children. When married, there's not as much instant excitement, but you also have a sense of satisfaction."

For myself, who next semester will make the transition from reporter to editor, I also found his description of the role of the editor interesting. (I can already imagine myself missing the instant credit bylines provide.)

"To be a good editor, you find your glory in the glory of others."

He mentioned several issues facing newspapers including the rise of the Internet.

"People don't go to the newspaper for information anymore. They go online." (He even referenced the role of bloggers in this evolution, which places me in an odd situation. Am I supporting the means which will bring an end to newspapers and my future livelihood? I don't think so. I have faith that newspapers will find a way to survive.)

And lastly, he gave advice for competing in the field.

"To get a leg up, make yourself indispensable."

Moving on Up

I've spent this past semester covering the administration beat which I have quite enjoyed. I like getting to know the leaders of the university and the issues I've covered have seemed relevant and important. This all adds up to making me feel like I am doing something worthwhile. but there is still the desire to keep moving up.

I was officially told moments ago that next semester I will be The Daily Evergreen News Editor. I was originally only going to apply to be Assistant News Editor, but with the encouragement of the Managing Editor, decided to reach a little bit higher. I am happy to announce that my high aspirations paid off. However, this is also a little bit intimidating. Sophomores have held the position before, but it is a bit uncommon. I'll be the youngest out of all the copy and section editors next year. I am excited, but I still have much to learn. I'm confident I can do it, but it is in my nature to worry at least a little bit. Hopefully everything will work out and I'll be able to pull it off. The rest of the staff I'm sure will also be there should I need any help.

Where have all the workers gone?

While I am one who truly enjoyed high school, it is hard to deny that college has some perks. Today, not only were my first two classes canceled, but I was released early from the third because the teacher was not feeling well. As I am a double liberal arts major only in my freshmen year, I also had no homework except for some reading in Poli Sci. (I actually find it quite surprising how minimal my work load is after all the work required to gett an I.B. diploma. Still, I suppose if I.B. had not prepared me so well, my first year at college would not have seemed so easy.) This left me the entire day to work on several articles and brought to mind something which has hampered my attemtps to be an efficient journalist.

The work day traditionally ends at five. If I am trying to reach someone for an interview, I try to do so during the work day so I don't disturb his or her evening. It frustrates me a great deal therefore, when people leave their office before five as I've discovered many are apt to do. They may not think they'll accomplish much in that last half hour of their day, but at work they should remain until the work day officially ends. I will be in the newsroom long after five. It's the least they can do.

On a side note, I've discovered it's easy to write much more in these posts than I originally intend to, as evidenced by this case. I think it stems from the fact that I'm not always sure where the post is going. Much of the introduction to this one, for example, is completely unnecessary.