1. "Mary is trying hard in school this semester," her father said .
2. "How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?" asked Steven Wright, early in the show.
3. "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you," Wright said.
4. "No," the taxi driver said. "I cannot get you to the airport in 15 minutes."
5. Gov. Peterson said she will support a tax increase this session. "Without it, schools will close," she said.
6. "My favorite line is when Jerry Seinfeld said, 'My parents didn't want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty and that's the law,'" Smitty said.
7. My French professor told me that my accent is "abominable."
8. She asked, "Do you read Time magazine regularly?"
9. When did Roosevelt say, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
10. "Can you believe," Dot asked me, "that it has been almost five years since we've seen each other?"
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
beat update
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/world/middleeast/29egypt.html?_r=1
This article from The New York Times describes how Egypt's culture minister was not elected for a UN position (UNESCO chief) and how Egyptian newspapers attributed his loss to Western prejudices and a "international Jewish conspiracy." Although it may not seem that this article directly relates to WSU or Pullman citizens, it is relevant and important because it displays how touchy and controversial racial/cultural/religious issues can become.
http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_7994.htm
This article is from a college newspaper in Texas. It's relevant because we are in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month and because the article's subject, Jesus "Chuy" Negrete, makes presentations at colleges in order to promote multiculturalism on college campuses.
This article from The New York Times describes how Egypt's culture minister was not elected for a UN position (UNESCO chief) and how Egyptian newspapers attributed his loss to Western prejudices and a "international Jewish conspiracy." Although it may not seem that this article directly relates to WSU or Pullman citizens, it is relevant and important because it displays how touchy and controversial racial/cultural/religious issues can become.
http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_7994.htm
This article is from a college newspaper in Texas. It's relevant because we are in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month and because the article's subject, Jesus "Chuy" Negrete, makes presentations at colleges in order to promote multiculturalism on college campuses.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Political Story
Some WSU Native American students are angered by a Washington state Senate bill that went into effect over the summer.
State Senate Bill 5001 eliminated Washington state’s matching fund policy for the American Indian endowed scholarship program.
“What it sounds like to me is a legislative way to eventually kill the program,” said Genevieve Yazzie, the Native American Student Center program assistant and a double major in French and Fine Art.
The American Indian scholarship fund provides scholarships for low-income, Native American students in the state of Washington. According to the text of the Final Bill Report on the Washington state legislature website, the fund awards about 15 scholarships annually. The Director of Multicultural Student Services at WSU, J. Manuel Acevedo, said there are 257 Native American students at the Pullman campus. The state Senate does not keep track at which colleges the scholarships are used.
Prior to the passing of bill 5001, promoters of the American Indian scholarship program had to raise at least $50,000 from non-state sources, and the state was then obligated to match the funds. With the inception of this bill, which went into effect on July 26, the state’s obligation to donate an equal amount of funds is eliminated.
Under the new system, the inability of the promoter to garner $50,000 does not deter the state from donating money. However, the state is no longer required to grant funds to the program.
The new bill is a “double-edged sword,” said Aldo Melchiori, coordinator for the Senate committee of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “The group doesn’t have to fundraise the $50,000, but it doesn’t guarantee money from the state.”
Some students from the Native American Student Center are concerned about this lack of financial assurance. Yazzie said she is concerned that the state will eventually cease depositing into the American Indian scholarship fund.
In order to receive state money, promoters of the American Indian scholarship fund will now have to appear before congressional committees to ask for money. How much the group receives depends on how convincing they are, Melchiori said. Another factor will be the current economic status. Melchiori said he received an updated budget last week that reported the state is “another billion dollars short.”
“Right now [the budget] is pretty tight,” he said. “In the short run, the new system probably won’t help.”
Some students feel the state’s financial setback is not a justifiable reason to cut scholarship funding.
“The burden is being put on Native American students who are trying to give back,” Yazzie said. “They are being blamed in some way for the budget deficits. I would hope the state’s goal is to decrease the impoverished people by educating people to enter the workforce.”
In these financial times, a worthy case to ask for funds may still be heard.
“A case that should be made is reservations across the nation, with the exception of a few, are essentially third world countries in terms of economic status,” Yazzie said.
One of the benefits of the bill is the potential for growth, Melchiori said. After the economic recession, the scholarship fund has the possibility of flourishing.
“The fund should grow in the future when the budget opens up a little bit,” he said.
State Senate Bill 5001 did not have a testimony against it while being heard in either the Senate or the House. However, if she had known about the bill before hand, Yazzie says she would have done more to get the word out to tribal leaders and students on campus.
“It’s just really frustrating,” Yazzie said. “This clearly shows the lack of commitment to Native Americans in this country.”
###
Contacts:
Aldo Melchiori
(360) 786-7439
Genevieve Yazzie
gyazzie@wsu.edu
J. Manuel Acevedo
(509) 335-1071
State Senate Bill 5001 eliminated Washington state’s matching fund policy for the American Indian endowed scholarship program.
“What it sounds like to me is a legislative way to eventually kill the program,” said Genevieve Yazzie, the Native American Student Center program assistant and a double major in French and Fine Art.
The American Indian scholarship fund provides scholarships for low-income, Native American students in the state of Washington. According to the text of the Final Bill Report on the Washington state legislature website, the fund awards about 15 scholarships annually. The Director of Multicultural Student Services at WSU, J. Manuel Acevedo, said there are 257 Native American students at the Pullman campus. The state Senate does not keep track at which colleges the scholarships are used.
Prior to the passing of bill 5001, promoters of the American Indian scholarship program had to raise at least $50,000 from non-state sources, and the state was then obligated to match the funds. With the inception of this bill, which went into effect on July 26, the state’s obligation to donate an equal amount of funds is eliminated.
Under the new system, the inability of the promoter to garner $50,000 does not deter the state from donating money. However, the state is no longer required to grant funds to the program.
The new bill is a “double-edged sword,” said Aldo Melchiori, coordinator for the Senate committee of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “The group doesn’t have to fundraise the $50,000, but it doesn’t guarantee money from the state.”
Some students from the Native American Student Center are concerned about this lack of financial assurance. Yazzie said she is concerned that the state will eventually cease depositing into the American Indian scholarship fund.
In order to receive state money, promoters of the American Indian scholarship fund will now have to appear before congressional committees to ask for money. How much the group receives depends on how convincing they are, Melchiori said. Another factor will be the current economic status. Melchiori said he received an updated budget last week that reported the state is “another billion dollars short.”
“Right now [the budget] is pretty tight,” he said. “In the short run, the new system probably won’t help.”
Some students feel the state’s financial setback is not a justifiable reason to cut scholarship funding.
“The burden is being put on Native American students who are trying to give back,” Yazzie said. “They are being blamed in some way for the budget deficits. I would hope the state’s goal is to decrease the impoverished people by educating people to enter the workforce.”
In these financial times, a worthy case to ask for funds may still be heard.
“A case that should be made is reservations across the nation, with the exception of a few, are essentially third world countries in terms of economic status,” Yazzie said.
One of the benefits of the bill is the potential for growth, Melchiori said. After the economic recession, the scholarship fund has the possibility of flourishing.
“The fund should grow in the future when the budget opens up a little bit,” he said.
State Senate Bill 5001 did not have a testimony against it while being heard in either the Senate or the House. However, if she had known about the bill before hand, Yazzie says she would have done more to get the word out to tribal leaders and students on campus.
“It’s just really frustrating,” Yazzie said. “This clearly shows the lack of commitment to Native Americans in this country.”
###
Contacts:
Aldo Melchiori
(360) 786-7439
Genevieve Yazzie
gyazzie@wsu.edu
J. Manuel Acevedo
(509) 335-1071
Political story outline
I. Students angry about new bill (SSB 5001)
A. quote
II. nut graf
A. the old bill (background)
B. the new bill and what it changed
III. implications of new bill (double-edged sword)
IV. economic issues
A. state’s financial crisis
B. what that means for students
V. the programs case for money
VI. opposing testimonies
A. quote
II. nut graf
A. the old bill (background)
B. the new bill and what it changed
III. implications of new bill (double-edged sword)
IV. economic issues
A. state’s financial crisis
B. what that means for students
V. the programs case for money
VI. opposing testimonies
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
beat update
http://media.www.bcheights.com/media/storage/paper144/news/2009/09/21/Editorial/School.Culture.Key.To.Ending.Stratification-3777696.shtml
This is from the student newspaper at Boston College. It's important to my beat because it addresses issues of "race and class" on college campuses and the difficulty in confronting such issues. Addresses racial ideas that are rarely confronted, especially in student newspapers.
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29435
Part 3 of a 4 part series called "Culture on Campus" being published in The Daily Evergreen. Source discusses the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on her own life. Another source says she encountered her own racist incident here at WSU.
This is from the student newspaper at Boston College. It's important to my beat because it addresses issues of "race and class" on college campuses and the difficulty in confronting such issues. Addresses racial ideas that are rarely confronted, especially in student newspapers.
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29435
Part 3 of a 4 part series called "Culture on Campus" being published in The Daily Evergreen. Source discusses the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on her own life. Another source says she encountered her own racist incident here at WSU.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The state senate bill 5001 (SSB 5001) eliminated the matching funds policy for the American Indian endowment scholarship program. Now, the state can give the program unlimited funds. I would like to research why the state changed this policy and the effects this will have on the amount of funds and on the students who benefit (or not) from this change.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
beat update
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29388
Daily Evergreen article that discusses how the Chicana/o Latina/o Student Center here at WSU is connecting to all WSU students. Source talks about 'culture shock' at WSU and how he dealt with it.
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29395
This article tells the story of the death of a Hispanic man due to a hate crime. The article continues with demographics of hate crimes in the U.S.
Daily Evergreen article that discusses how the Chicana/o Latina/o Student Center here at WSU is connecting to all WSU students. Source talks about 'culture shock' at WSU and how he dealt with it.
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29395
This article tells the story of the death of a Hispanic man due to a hate crime. The article continues with demographics of hate crimes in the U.S.
political story ideas
SSB 5001- Before this bill, state money given to The American Indian endowment scholarhip program (for college students) had to be matched by a private donor. This bill eliminated this necessity. Now, the state can give unlimited funds to the endowment fund.
SSB 5177- University of Washington will build a Global Asia Institute within its School of International Studies. Should WSU be given money to build similar institutes?
ESB 5925- Washington college students studying abroad may now have to purchase approved insurance in order to travel.
SSB 5177- University of Washington will build a Global Asia Institute within its School of International Studies. Should WSU be given money to build similar institutes?
ESB 5925- Washington college students studying abroad may now have to purchase approved insurance in order to travel.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Speech Story
Artist Nathan Cohen discussed his recent artwork and research about the concept of invisibility in front of a full house Thursday, September 10, in the Washington State University Fine Arts Center auditorium.
“I’m always on the look out for things I have not seen before,” Cohen said.
In his talk, “Here and There: Journeys in Space and Time,” Cohen said he has been experimenting with how to modulate light. Although he is primarily an artist, he has had substantial schooling in chemistry and physics. His work often blends art with science. Cohen teamed up with engineers and scientists to research the ability to create three dimensional spaces on a two dimensional screen.
Cohen showed the audience personal photographs of his work. The artwork features geometric figures a couple feet in diameter on a white background. Cohen explained that several cameras from different angles were used to superimpose other images, creating a look of invisibility.
“It was confusing,” said Connor McPherson, a senior fine art major who attended the presentation. “He was talking about displaying an image with another image over it. When someone walked in front of it, the image underneath would be showing.”
Cohen’s interest in the way humans perceive light led him to create another piece that wrestled with complex ideas. He explained that people see the world in fragments of light which are “stitched together by the brain.” Cohen’s exhibit displayed blinking light bulbs that the brain can detect only while the head and eyes are moving back-and-forth. As viewers scan the lights, patterns and shapes can be distinguished. The set up and research for this exhibit was “terribly frustrating” and led to a lot of “sore necks,” Cohen joked.
Cohen’s presentation marked the beginning of this school year’s Visiting Artist Lecture series, a program that brings in artists from outside the WSU community to speak to students and faculty.
“Nathan has a very distinguished career as an artist,” said Chris Watts, interim chair of the department of fine arts and one of the program’s organizers. “He represents a slightly different flavor than other artists we have coming”
WSU students made up the bulk of the audience but faculty members also took the opportunity to listen to Cohen’s ideas. Tamara Helm, a professor of fine arts, has heard Cohen speak before last week’s visit and wanted to hear him again. She said his speeches are worthwhile because he teaches people about the world.
“I’m interested in his photography, his art, his life,” she said. “He is very well-traveled. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
The program’s next speaker will lecture September 23. McPherson said he will attend future artist lectures.
“It’s rare that you get that close as an audience to an artist for free,” McPherson said. “Since I do a little bit of my own art, it’s cool seeing other artists’ ideas.”
The money for the Visiting Artist Lecture series was donated by Florence and Ed Forest.
“They bequeathed a very large sum of money for this program,” Watts said.
When asked how many more years the program will be able to thrive with the donation, Watts replied, “Probably forever.”
###
Questions:
*What’s the biggest difference between your first pieces of work you created back in the 80’s and what you create now?
*A lot of your work incorporates geometric imagery. Has geometry always been an interest of yours? Why is this a recurring idea?
*What changes, if any, have you noticed in support of the arts during the recession we’ve had in the U.S.?
*I know you have had your art in galleries all over the world. What location that your art has been displayed are you most proud of?
Contacts:
Chris Watts
Interim Chair of Fine Arts Department
cjwatts@wsu.edu
509-335-8686
Tamara Helm
Fine Arts professor
509-335-8686
Connor McPherson
cmcpherson21@live.com
“I’m always on the look out for things I have not seen before,” Cohen said.
In his talk, “Here and There: Journeys in Space and Time,” Cohen said he has been experimenting with how to modulate light. Although he is primarily an artist, he has had substantial schooling in chemistry and physics. His work often blends art with science. Cohen teamed up with engineers and scientists to research the ability to create three dimensional spaces on a two dimensional screen.
Cohen showed the audience personal photographs of his work. The artwork features geometric figures a couple feet in diameter on a white background. Cohen explained that several cameras from different angles were used to superimpose other images, creating a look of invisibility.
“It was confusing,” said Connor McPherson, a senior fine art major who attended the presentation. “He was talking about displaying an image with another image over it. When someone walked in front of it, the image underneath would be showing.”
Cohen’s interest in the way humans perceive light led him to create another piece that wrestled with complex ideas. He explained that people see the world in fragments of light which are “stitched together by the brain.” Cohen’s exhibit displayed blinking light bulbs that the brain can detect only while the head and eyes are moving back-and-forth. As viewers scan the lights, patterns and shapes can be distinguished. The set up and research for this exhibit was “terribly frustrating” and led to a lot of “sore necks,” Cohen joked.
Cohen’s presentation marked the beginning of this school year’s Visiting Artist Lecture series, a program that brings in artists from outside the WSU community to speak to students and faculty.
“Nathan has a very distinguished career as an artist,” said Chris Watts, interim chair of the department of fine arts and one of the program’s organizers. “He represents a slightly different flavor than other artists we have coming”
WSU students made up the bulk of the audience but faculty members also took the opportunity to listen to Cohen’s ideas. Tamara Helm, a professor of fine arts, has heard Cohen speak before last week’s visit and wanted to hear him again. She said his speeches are worthwhile because he teaches people about the world.
“I’m interested in his photography, his art, his life,” she said. “He is very well-traveled. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
The program’s next speaker will lecture September 23. McPherson said he will attend future artist lectures.
“It’s rare that you get that close as an audience to an artist for free,” McPherson said. “Since I do a little bit of my own art, it’s cool seeing other artists’ ideas.”
The money for the Visiting Artist Lecture series was donated by Florence and Ed Forest.
“They bequeathed a very large sum of money for this program,” Watts said.
When asked how many more years the program will be able to thrive with the donation, Watts replied, “Probably forever.”
###
Questions:
*What’s the biggest difference between your first pieces of work you created back in the 80’s and what you create now?
*A lot of your work incorporates geometric imagery. Has geometry always been an interest of yours? Why is this a recurring idea?
*What changes, if any, have you noticed in support of the arts during the recession we’ve had in the U.S.?
*I know you have had your art in galleries all over the world. What location that your art has been displayed are you most proud of?
Contacts:
Chris Watts
Interim Chair of Fine Arts Department
cjwatts@wsu.edu
509-335-8686
Tamara Helm
Fine Arts professor
509-335-8686
Connor McPherson
cmcpherson21@live.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Although local and national media has reported an outbreak of over 2,000 H1N1 virus cases at Washington State University over the past few weeks, President Elson S. Floyd said today the number of confirmed cases is far less than this number.
"Health and Wellness Services, in accord with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, is not routinely testing for H1N1 or swine flu," Floyd said. "As a result, the number of cases confirmed through testing at WSU is actually quite small."
"Health and Wellness Services, in accord with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, is not routinely testing for H1N1 or swine flu," Floyd said. "As a result, the number of cases confirmed through testing at WSU is actually quite small."
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Cultural Beat Update Week 3
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29246
This article in the Daily Evergreen focused on the study abroad fair on campus last week. The article touched on an issue I would like to write more about: it said there has not been an increase or decrease in study abroad students from WSU, rather the number is exactly the same as the previous year. Also, one source was a study abroad student from Germany and he talked about the differences between U.S. compared to German universities which I found to be interesting.
http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2009/08/new_forest_grove_schools_super.html
This article is from The Oregonian. The story is a feature on Yvonne Curtis, a superintendent from Washington County. This article pertains to my beat because the story focuses on the fact that Curtis is the only woman and only Latino superintendent (out of seven) in the county, and the article discusses her Mexican family history.
This article in the Daily Evergreen focused on the study abroad fair on campus last week. The article touched on an issue I would like to write more about: it said there has not been an increase or decrease in study abroad students from WSU, rather the number is exactly the same as the previous year. Also, one source was a study abroad student from Germany and he talked about the differences between U.S. compared to German universities which I found to be interesting.
http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2009/08/new_forest_grove_schools_super.html
This article is from The Oregonian. The story is a feature on Yvonne Curtis, a superintendent from Washington County. This article pertains to my beat because the story focuses on the fact that Curtis is the only woman and only Latino superintendent (out of seven) in the county, and the article discusses her Mexican family history.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
MLK Speech
With nearly 200,000 rights activists and the Washington Monument towering in front of him, Martin Luther King Jr. asked for justice for all Americans from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial today.
The event "what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation," King said.
King gave his speech to cheering bystanders as a part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, claiming that African Americans are still not free.
The event "what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation," King said.
King gave his speech to cheering bystanders as a part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, claiming that African Americans are still not free.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Beat Note
The Palouse region is undeniably dominated by Caucasian farmers. Without WSU, Pullman would essentially represent the same demographic. The university brings in nearly 20,000 students to a town that otherwise would support a minimal local population. This influx of people from not only around the state but from around the world creates diversity of people, ideas and cultures. I am interested in such cultural issues that Pullman and WSU face on a day-to-day basis and how issues outside our somewhat isolated town embedded in wheat fields still affect our lives.
A culture beat is further important because the diversity of Pullman makes it different from the rest of the county and most of the Eastern Washington region. Therefore it is important to develop knowledge and simply be aware of the cultural issues in our area. For this, the WSU multicultural clubs (such as Muslim Student Association, Filipino American Student Association, etc.) and Multicultural Student Services would know what is happening locally and on campus. I know the Gladdish Community Center also hosts cultural events throughout the year. National issues and trends trickle down to Pullman as well. Obviously one of the biggest issues of the day is the state of the economy. Economic hardships can affect culture. Some possibilities could be the economy’s affect on the number of people studying abroad or on a decrease in cultural awareness events due to costs. I read an article about a trend in collegiate study abroad programs that said that more and more students are opting for short-term abroad programs due to the economy here in the U.S. This trend will most likely show up in WSU’s programs as well.
My take on culture as a beat will not be like the “Arts and Culture” page in the newspaper. Occasionally a story or idea may come up that incorporates cultural topics such as food, dress, etc. However, my main focus will be stories that deal with ethnic issues and how they affect the Pullman and WSU communities. According to the City of Pullman website, there are 27,600 people living in the city limits of Pullman, a 9.67 square mile area. We are practically living on top of each other. In addition, many of these people are from out of town, out of state, and out of the country. A 2007 article on the WSU website stated, “The single largest percent increase for freshmen applicants and enrolled students was among international students.” Because of this mass of people from a variety of different lifestyles and cultures all residing in an incredibly small area, cultural issues will undeniably arise both on campus and in our town. Therefore, stories need to be covered about cultural issues, awareness and appreciation.
From a historical context, I have a few examples of past articles on cultural issues in the area. At the end of spring semester, The Daily Evergreen published a week-long series on the DREAM Act (the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). The series discussed what the act entailed and featured some students from WSU who were campaigning for the act and who would benefit from its induction. Last February, The Spokesman Review ran a story about Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative, which pays for high school students with social and ethnic diversity and leadership abilities to go to Washington state colleges. Also, several months ago, The Seattle Times published a piece on elementary school closures. The article relates to culture because all of the schools being shut down were predominantly attended by minority students and the incident created an uproar.
3 story ideas:
I have a couple ideas for stories that deal with the study abroad programs. I would like to see how the economy has affected both students from WSU choosing to go abroad and also foreign students choosing to come here? Does the study abroad program financially help or hurt WSU’s economic state?
One of the cultural clubs on campus, the Middle Eastern Student Association, was once a relatively well established club with stable membership. After Sept.11, membership dropped off and last year the club essentially started over with all new members and is experiencing an influx of people. I would be interested in doing a story on the club and why it is experiencing an increase in membership.
I know that some elementary schools are now offering Spanish classes/tutoring to English-speaking students. I would be interested in doing a story on if Pullman’s elementary schools are also participating in such a program. If they are, why and why now? And if not, do they see a need?
3 relevant articles:
UCLA puts on a cultural seminar for school teachers
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-teach12-2009aug12,0,6753624.story
Attacks on Indian students studying abroad in Australia
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jun2009/gb2009064_609700.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_global+business
Four school systems in Mississippi have asked to be a part of an educational program that will teach civil rights curriculum at every grade level k-12.
http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/1551335.html
3 sources:
Candace Chenoweth
Education Abroad Director at WSU
chenow@wsu.edu
(509) 335-6204
J.Manuel Acevedo
Director of Multicultural Student Services
(509) 335-7852
Brian Moore
Principal of Franklin Elementary (Pullman)
brianm@psd267.wednet.edu
(509) 334-5641
A culture beat is further important because the diversity of Pullman makes it different from the rest of the county and most of the Eastern Washington region. Therefore it is important to develop knowledge and simply be aware of the cultural issues in our area. For this, the WSU multicultural clubs (such as Muslim Student Association, Filipino American Student Association, etc.) and Multicultural Student Services would know what is happening locally and on campus. I know the Gladdish Community Center also hosts cultural events throughout the year. National issues and trends trickle down to Pullman as well. Obviously one of the biggest issues of the day is the state of the economy. Economic hardships can affect culture. Some possibilities could be the economy’s affect on the number of people studying abroad or on a decrease in cultural awareness events due to costs. I read an article about a trend in collegiate study abroad programs that said that more and more students are opting for short-term abroad programs due to the economy here in the U.S. This trend will most likely show up in WSU’s programs as well.
My take on culture as a beat will not be like the “Arts and Culture” page in the newspaper. Occasionally a story or idea may come up that incorporates cultural topics such as food, dress, etc. However, my main focus will be stories that deal with ethnic issues and how they affect the Pullman and WSU communities. According to the City of Pullman website, there are 27,600 people living in the city limits of Pullman, a 9.67 square mile area. We are practically living on top of each other. In addition, many of these people are from out of town, out of state, and out of the country. A 2007 article on the WSU website stated, “The single largest percent increase for freshmen applicants and enrolled students was among international students.” Because of this mass of people from a variety of different lifestyles and cultures all residing in an incredibly small area, cultural issues will undeniably arise both on campus and in our town. Therefore, stories need to be covered about cultural issues, awareness and appreciation.
From a historical context, I have a few examples of past articles on cultural issues in the area. At the end of spring semester, The Daily Evergreen published a week-long series on the DREAM Act (the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). The series discussed what the act entailed and featured some students from WSU who were campaigning for the act and who would benefit from its induction. Last February, The Spokesman Review ran a story about Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative, which pays for high school students with social and ethnic diversity and leadership abilities to go to Washington state colleges. Also, several months ago, The Seattle Times published a piece on elementary school closures. The article relates to culture because all of the schools being shut down were predominantly attended by minority students and the incident created an uproar.
3 story ideas:
I have a couple ideas for stories that deal with the study abroad programs. I would like to see how the economy has affected both students from WSU choosing to go abroad and also foreign students choosing to come here? Does the study abroad program financially help or hurt WSU’s economic state?
One of the cultural clubs on campus, the Middle Eastern Student Association, was once a relatively well established club with stable membership. After Sept.11, membership dropped off and last year the club essentially started over with all new members and is experiencing an influx of people. I would be interested in doing a story on the club and why it is experiencing an increase in membership.
I know that some elementary schools are now offering Spanish classes/tutoring to English-speaking students. I would be interested in doing a story on if Pullman’s elementary schools are also participating in such a program. If they are, why and why now? And if not, do they see a need?
3 relevant articles:
UCLA puts on a cultural seminar for school teachers
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-teach12-2009aug12,0,6753624.story
Attacks on Indian students studying abroad in Australia
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jun2009/gb2009064_609700.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_global+business
Four school systems in Mississippi have asked to be a part of an educational program that will teach civil rights curriculum at every grade level k-12.
http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/1551335.html
3 sources:
Candace Chenoweth
Education Abroad Director at WSU
chenow@wsu.edu
(509) 335-6204
J.Manuel Acevedo
Director of Multicultural Student Services
(509) 335-7852
Brian Moore
Principal of Franklin Elementary (Pullman)
brianm@psd267.wednet.edu
(509) 334-5641
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Questions for Mr. Randal
You have seen the media and journalism industries significantly evolve and change over your lifetime. Where do you think it is headed at this point/What do you see in this industry’s future?
You have reported from some notoriously hostile places around the world. How did native people of the foreign countries you reported in receive you? In what country did you feel most uncomfortable?
What made you decide to make the shift from writing for newspapers to a novel?
I read your quote about “editors and others who had never missed a hot meal” now being in the “driver’s seat.” Do you feel that journalists today have become lazy or simply adapted to a new form of journalism? Both? Something else?
I understand that you lived in France for an extended period of time. How does that compare to living and reporting in the U.S.?
How did you know or decide that you wanted to be a foreign correspondent as opposed to reporting on domestic issues here in the U.S.?
You have reported from some notoriously hostile places around the world. How did native people of the foreign countries you reported in receive you? In what country did you feel most uncomfortable?
What made you decide to make the shift from writing for newspapers to a novel?
I read your quote about “editors and others who had never missed a hot meal” now being in the “driver’s seat.” Do you feel that journalists today have become lazy or simply adapted to a new form of journalism? Both? Something else?
I understand that you lived in France for an extended period of time. How does that compare to living and reporting in the U.S.?
How did you know or decide that you wanted to be a foreign correspondent as opposed to reporting on domestic issues here in the U.S.?
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2009/07/08/short_abroad_study_popular.aspx
This article is from the student newspaper at Penn State. It is relevant to the culture beat because one of the sources discusses the connection between studying abroad and developing an appreciation for cultural awareness and acceptance. More important to my beat, the article presents a new trend in college study abroad programs; the increase in students opting for short-term programs, as opposed to the typical year-long programs. One of the reasons for this trend is a decrease in the overall cost.
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/top-stories/chinese-student-patriotism-in-u-s-1.1773895
This article is from The Daily Texan, the University of Texas at Austin newspaper. The article states that the U.S. is the top destination for Chinese students choosing to study abroad. Furthermore, upon graduation, an increasing number of Chinese students are staying in the States instead of returning home. This leads me to wonder if the same trend is present in WSU's foreign students population and if they stay in the Pullman/Washington region? And if they do what might that be doing for our local economy, etc.?
This article is from the student newspaper at Penn State. It is relevant to the culture beat because one of the sources discusses the connection between studying abroad and developing an appreciation for cultural awareness and acceptance. More important to my beat, the article presents a new trend in college study abroad programs; the increase in students opting for short-term programs, as opposed to the typical year-long programs. One of the reasons for this trend is a decrease in the overall cost.
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/top-stories/chinese-student-patriotism-in-u-s-1.1773895
This article is from The Daily Texan, the University of Texas at Austin newspaper. The article states that the U.S. is the top destination for Chinese students choosing to study abroad. Furthermore, upon graduation, an increasing number of Chinese students are staying in the States instead of returning home. This leads me to wonder if the same trend is present in WSU's foreign students population and if they stay in the Pullman/Washington region? And if they do what might that be doing for our local economy, etc.?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)