The Daily Plan-it / Dean of Students Blog, Columbia J-school

DeanSree(P) Good afternoon from Columbia’s campus… It’s a beautiful hot July day here… about 85 degrees, the high is expected to be 94… Thank you all for joining us… We are trying out this new software, so please bear with us. If we type… at the end of a sentence, that means there’s more coming….
DeanSree(P) We have received lots of good questions and will try to answer them in the order received…
DeanSree(P) Please resend your questions if we ask you to. Now, onto our first questions. Over to DeanHuff.

daveb(Q) At the open house event, we were encouraged to take a class or two outside of the j-school — when do most students do that and is there any tricky paperwork involved?
DeanHuff(A) Hi All, For now you must complete your ballot as if you plan to do all of your classes at the Journalism School. During the add/drop period, you may attempt to swap out one of your electives. For more information, please go to http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/ContentServer/jrn/1175295325420/page/1175295325345/simplepage.htm

sjbeards(Q) With a typical schedule, how many days a week will be occupied with at least one class? Every day? Every other day?
DeanSree(A) All full-time MS students can expect to be busy with school work M-F, every week… You won’t be in class all the time, but will be out reporting, doing research, making phone calls, etc, for several hours during business hours, followed by classes on most days….
DeanSree The only day that is the same for everyone more or less is Friday. In the morning, 9-11 you have Law or US as a Foreign Country and then Critical Issues from Noon-2:30, followed by Master’s Projects meetings till about 5. And on Tuesday nights from 7-9, everyone has an all-class lecture. Everything else depends on your classes.

db2487(Q) 1. When will we know final decisions regarding JSchool housing?
DeanHuff(A) All of the housing spots have been allocated. All of you who didn’t receive housing are automatically moved to the waitlist from which make offers beginning in October. This year we received 113 beds for the 255 students who requested housing. Housing approvals are based solely on the distance from campus of the permanent home address as listed on the original application to the school. This year, I am out of beds to assign at 1,200 miles from campus. We have a Yahoo group and a Facebook group for the incoming students that will allow you to reach out to fellow students about the apartment hunt - check out http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/ for details (also join the fun map thing!) Please also refer to the Off-Campus Housing information at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ire/ocha/

db(Q) Hi. Thanks so much for doing this. I was just wondering if there is an ETA on the finalized list of our concentrations, so we can double-check them before balloting begins.
DeanHuff(A) The concentrations are now posted at http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/ContentServer/jrn/1175295327667/page/1175295327592/simplepage.htm Please copy and paste that link or go to the Student Resources section of the Journalism web site.

sjbeards(Q) How many classes utilize textbooks?
DeanSree(A) Very few classes use textbooks, but almost all have extensive readings from a variety of books. In some cases, the readings are provided online, in some, not. You will know more on the first day of each class.

DeanSree(P) Bear with us as we go through the questions. Please keep sending in your questions.

db2487(Q) 2. Is the ballot for class selection already online? If not, when should we expect it? Thanks
DeanHuff(A) The ballot will go live on Monday, July 16, at 10 a.m. It is an online ballot and will be linked from the DOS blog. Ballots are NOT handled on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to submit them is Monday, July 23, at 10 a.m.

sjbeards(Q) How many J-school students purchase a dining plan? From your experience, is it worth it? Thanks, Steven Beardsley
DeanHuff(A) We have no way of knowing how many students purchase a meal plan since it is University plan not a Journalism School one. I believe the program is primarily designed for undergraduates.

Jro2111(Q) On the registration ballot, can we request specific advisors for the Master’s project? Or do we just submit our topic, and receive an advisor who fits with the topic?
DeanHuff(A) You will be able to rank your preferences for an adviser. We do not promise that you will get one of the ones that you requested. We do also ask for you to give us an idea of your topic if you know it already.

Sydney(Q) I am considering doing a radio masters project–are all advisors comfortable with (or excited about) that platform? I’ve looked at various bios online, but want to make sure my advisor preferences make sense.
DeanSree(A) Thanks, Sydney… Radio is a big deal at the school and continues to grow in popularity. The broadcast faculty are almost all able to advise radio projects. If not, you will be steered to the right folks. Please keep in mind that radio, video and new media projects are NOT guaranteed. They are accepted on the basis of pitched submitted in October. More on this when you get here. For now, concentrate on the topics you’d like to research.

mnp2109(Q) Also, how possible would it be to switch from broadcast to new media?
DeanHuff(A) At this time, it is not possible to switch from broadcast to new media.

Jro2111(Q) How many Skills courses do most students take?
DeanSree(A) All M.S. students are guaranteed one Skills course in the Fall. During the Add/Drop period each Fall and Spring, you can TRY to add another Skills course.

lb2491(Q) Since the library closed throughout July, is there a way to read the bound copies of masters projects to get a better idea for the selection of masters advisors? Is this available online?
DeanHuff(A) I have sent an e-mail to the library to get an answer to your question. Will let you know when we know something.

[ADDED TO TRANSCRIPT]
From Deborah Wassertzug, Journalism Librarian
Please see the journalism library blog for full info on the whereabouts of
library materials.
http://journalismlibrary.blogsome.com/2007/05/03/journalism-library-closure/

Liv_Gold(Q) Is there a way to view past Masters Projects (print) online?
DeanHuff(A) No, unfortunately there is not.

bs2452(Q) Hi I’m Betwa Sharma (MS Broadcast). Greetings from New Delhi! What kind of approach would you advise for students with relatively less work experience?
DeanHuff(A) I’m not certain what information you are looking for here. Please send us an e-mail to dos@jrn.columbia.edu for advice on your specific situtation.

Gayle(Q) What happens if we have no idea what we want to do our masters project on? Are we on our own or can we get some help in that department?
DeanSree(A) Not to worry… When you get here, your MP adviser will walk you through this. The art of finding and selecting a project is as important as executing it well.

sjbeards(Q) In your experience, how many students have a workable master’s project idea before they start classes?
DeanSree(A) I’d say about 20 percent has ideas, but only about 10 percent of the school ends up doing exactly what they planned to as of August 1. There will be a lot of changes… You should spend your time looking for ideas now.

katiabachko(Q) can you enumerate the choices we will have to make for the fall semester schedule? RW1 instructor, etc?
DeanHuff(A) All students will be automatically registered for RWI, Critical Issues and the Law class (or US as a Foreign Country for internationals). Depending on concentration, you will be asked to rank preferences via the ballot for skills, electives and Master’s Project advisers. Please note that broadcast students don’t take a fall elective and that new media students are automatically registered for the New Media Newsroom, an elective required for them.

rgt2105(Q) it is my understanding that for the broadcast masters projects we are to work in groups…how is that decided?
DeanSree(A) Video and NM MPs are done in groups. Students, once they get here, start forming informal groups and pitching ideas. More when you get here.
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rgt2105(Q) working in groups for the broadcast MP…how do u work with individual MP advisors?
DeanSree(A) Yes, you work with a single adviser on a single topic.

Gapeseed(Q) Hi, there was some talk about an Apple technology package designed specifically for J-School students. Has there been any news on that front?
DeanSree(A) We will try to get you an answer on this from tech dean Larry Fried.

[MOVED WITHIN THE TRANSCRIPT]
DeanSree(P) Here’s what tech dean Larry Fried has to say:Yes, the link to the Apple Store for J
School students is working. Students can access the link here: https://web.jrn.columbia.edu/checkad.asp If an incoming student (i.e., no J School account yet), then s/he should click on “click here” on the bottom [red] line. Other J School users who do have accounts should enter their UNI & J School password. Once in the store, the special J School deals can be accessed by clicking on “Recommended Systems” on the right hand side. Students should also check the Columbia Apple store at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/sales/ That site has other promotions going that may not be available at the J School store, so they need to check both to determine which will have the best deal for their particular needs. Larry lfried@columbia.edu

radha(Q) Hi Deans, I was wondering 2 things: 1) My concentration is listed as Magazine, when it should be listed in New Media (as per confirmation by sharon)–how do I fix this, other than writing emails..Is there anything to worry about here? 2) I would like to audit some of the print electives (investigative journalism and business and finance reporting). How is this process conducted?
DeanHuff(A) An e-mail to us and to the admissions folks is the way to go to get this corrected. Please see http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/2006/11/09/audting-procedurefor-auditing-classes/ for information on auditing.

srs2101(Q) Hi, Sarah Sundberg (Magazine) here. Do RWI classes start the week of the 16th for those of us who start then? If not when do they start? Do the Journalism, Law & Society and Critical Issues lectures start when the part time students start? Thanks!
DeanSree(A) Sarah: RWI starts the week of Aug. 20. Critical Issues and Law the week of Sept. 10, along with Electives.

Gapeseed(Q) Hi. I am a NYC resident who has applied for on-campus housing, but seem to be on some sort of wait list. Should I assume the worst and get off-campus housing? When would I expect to hear from Columbia regarding my housing application? Thank you.
DeanHuff(A) This year we received 113 beds for the 255 students who requested housing. Housing approvals are based solely on the distance from campus of the permanent home address as listed on the original application to the school. This year, I am out of beds to assign at 1,200 miles from campus. Nobody from the NYC area will be giving housing.

tomas(Q) If our Masters Project adviser turns out to have little experience or expertise in the topic or style of our decided project, is there a possibility to change adviser?
DeanSree(A) Yes, if can make a change if it’s necessary. But we rarely have to do that.

mo2305(Q) Would you advise students to speak with you in person (if possible) about their classes before filling out their ballots?
DeanHuff(A) No, we don’t believe this is necessary. If you have a specific question, please do contact us at dos@jrn.columbia.edu.

vsz2(Q) Hi Deans Sree and Huff - I just want to make sure I understood correctly that we do not mark a preference for our RWI professors, right? We are automatically enrolled? How was this decision made - based on our application?
DeanSree(A) Students are assigned based on a combination of random assignment by computer, which is then adjusted (if necessary) to make sure the class is balanced by demographic factors.

mnp2109(Q) As a broadcast concentrator and Stabile major, how many electives am I allowed to take in the fall? How would that change if I switched to print or new media?
DeanHuff(A) Broadcast students do not take an elective in the fall. If you were in print, you would take one elective in the fall. It is not possible to switch to new media, but those folks have to take the New Media Newsroom as their elective course.

elm2134(Q) Do we have a schedule for the first two days (Aug. 16 & 17th) yet? Are there orientation events that will occupy the evenings?
DeanSree(A) The schedule for these two days, as well as for the Aug 6-15 schedule for broadcast and new media students is coming next week. Yes, there are likely to be orientation events on the evenings of Aug. 16 and 17.

Martha(Q) My question is regarding RWII electives, the memo we received stated that broadcast students should not take one. Yet we are allowed up to 19 credits for the semester, can we still sign up for one?
DeanHuff(A) No, it is not possible for broadcast students to do a fall term elective. There isn’t enough time.

bs2452(Q) Could the Deans suggest how best I can use my background in International Law in the course work and the Masters Project? (Betwa)
DeanHuff(A) Please send an e-mail to dos@jrn.columbia.edu for this question.

rgt2105(Q) is a school calender posted yet?
DeanHuff(A) No, not yet. It will be ready shortly.

Liv_Gold(Q) In addition the the Caro and EB White readings, are there any other books that you highly recommend?
DeanSree(A) There are those other books that are mentioned in the curriculum guide. I’d be sure to read “Bonfire of the Vanities” - though NYC has changed a lot since then. Also, if you have little or no reporting experience, take a look at the textbooks by Melvin Mencher and Christopher Scanlan (easily available on Amazon).

Gayle(Q) What will broadcast students be doing between August 6 and August 16?
DeanSree(A) It will be a combination of technical training and lectures. Watch for details, coming next week.

Jro2111(Q) How many preferences do we need to rank on the ballot?
DeanHuff(A) The answer depends on your concentration. Newspaper and magazine folks have to rank for electives, skills and MP advisers. Broadcast and New Media folks only rank for skills if they plan to do MPs in their concentration as those advisers are fixed during the pitch project pitch process. Those opting to do print projects will have to rank for MP advisers as well.

srs2101(Q) will our MP advisor be the same person as our RWI teacher?
DeanHuff(A) No. They have to be different people

DeanSree(P) We have about 25 minutes, keep ‘em coming. We have lots of questions queued up and are working on them.

amy(Q) Right now I’m putting together formal “Requests for Public Information” in gathing information on my masters thesis project. Is it okay to identify myself as a member of the media, or should I ID myself as a student?
DeanSree(A) You are way ahead of where you need to be now. You should ID yourself as a journalism student. For those unfamiliar with FOIA requests, more info here: http://www.spj.org/foi.asp But most of you should not be doing these yet. Wait till you talk to your advisers.

mnp2109(Q) Hi, I had two quick questions–do students who are both stabile and broadcast concentrators get to take electives in the spring? Also, how much article writing do broadcast students get to do? Thanks!
DeanHuff(A) In the spring term, Stabile students have to do the Stabile elective and the Stabile seminar. Broadcast students write articles in RWI and for Stabile folks as part of their required Stabile classes.

jpc2129(Q) In a previous answer, you said that students are “automatically registered for” certain courses (RWI, Law, etc.). Does that mean that the professor and time of the course has already been predetermined for us?
DeanHuff(A) Yes, for those courses the professor and class days/times are predetermined.

Adam(Q) How goes the construction? I was just on campus yesterday and didn’t see any gleaming glass cafe…
DeanSree(A) Hi, Adam. We are going full tilt, but are expecting delays (no surprise, this being a NYC construction project). We will know more in the days and weeks ahead. We are committed to having that gleaming new student center for your by some point in the Fall semester.

sjbeards(Q) The budget we were given has a $2,200 “Books and Technology” line item. Is the price of a laptop written into that $2200 total? I could use a new computer, but I don’t want to step on money I’ll need for something else.
DeanHuff(A) Please refer that question to Dean Larry Fried at lfriend@columbia.edu.

taismoraes(Q) hello there! What grammar handbook do you recommend?
DeanHuff(A) The Elements of Grammar by Margaret Shertzer

mb1373(Q) Don’t most Broadcast and New Media concentrators do their masters project in their concentration?
DeanSree(A) They can, but they don’t have to. Some opt not to, some can’t get a team together or a project approved. It all depends on their topics.

sah(Q) do classes for the MS full-time begin August 16th?
DeanHuff(A) They begin for print students that day. New Media and Broadcast students begin on August 6.

vsz2(Q) So would you recommend NM students (such as myself) to take the NM skills course, aside from whether we do our MP in New Media, in order to maximize our expertise or can it be useful to learn photojournalism skills, for example?
DeanSree(A) NM majors shouldn’t take NM Skills - they will get the skills they need from the August session as well as the NM Newsroom. Yes, photojournalism, TV or radio are good Skills classes to get.

Sydney(Q) Should I rank advisors anyway in case I end up not doing a radio project then?
DeanHuff(A) No, if you end up not being selected to do a radio project, your print adviser will be assigned at that time.

sah(Q) Is it too late to switch concentrations?
DeanHuff(A) The only switch possible is into magazine or newspaper.

sah(Q) What is the procedure for switching from Newspaper to Magazine?
DeanHuff(A) Please send an e-mail to Sharon Handelsman (sh2553) and to dos@jrn.columbia.edu.

rc2454(Q) I’m wondering if all “international” students are required to take the “U.S./NY as a foreign country” course, or if we can opt to join the U.S. Law class. (I feel I’d get a lot more out of the latter, not really feeling too “foreign” myself (Canadian))
DeanHuff(A) All internationals will be automatically registered for the US as a Foreign Country class. However, you may complete an add/drop form during the add/drop period if you wish to switch.

jpc2129(Q) I’ve heard that certain authors/journalists, like William Zinsser, occasionally teach courses or hold offices at the J-School. Any notable visiting faculty going to be around this year that we might want to know about?
DeanSree(A) We like to think all our full-time and adjunct faculty are notable folks! Bill Zinsser, who wrote one of the best books about writing, “On Writing Well” (highly recommended), serves as a writing coach for our students, along with Mervin Block, another renowned writing coach. Students who need the help are assigned to these gents on the recommendation of their RWI professors. Watch for more info when you get here.

Sydney(Q) Is Columbia Journalism a Mac or PC campus (or a mix)?
DeanSree(A) It’s a mix of both kinds of machines. In my own office, I have a PC desktop, but carry around a MacBook. One of the nice things about our entire campus: free Wifi everywhere you go. You will find students (and me) sitting in front of the building working, on occasion.

tomas(Q) Regarding housing…I listed my permanent address as that of my parents, who live on the East Coast, but I have been actually living outside of the country for the three years. Did you base your decision on the permanent address, or take into account “impermanent” addresses in another country, like in my case. If so, is there an opportunity for reconsideration on housing.
DeanHuff(A) The University policy is to base the decision solely on the permananent address on the application. There is no way for us to make judgement calls about where people actually are living, so we stick to the rule. We have already given out all of our beds for this year, so there is nothing further we can do.

bs2452(Q) Is there any specific software we should put on our computers before coming? (Betwa)
DeanSree(A) MS Office, for sure. Tech dean Larry Fried will be having a chat the week of July 30. Watch for that.

Adam(Q) The letter we got from Student Account Services says we’ll get our fall semester bill on August 13th — can we Broadcast concentrators safely count on starting our orientation on the 6th without yet having paid for the fall semester?
DeanHuff(A) Yes. The bills are issued through the University can don’t conform to our schedule.

Gayle(Q) Will broadcast students be ok with a PC?
DeanSree(A) Best to refer to the technology guide (on the DOS blog) and to ask this question to Dean Larry Fried: lfried@columbia.edu

Gayle(Q) why are broadcast students in groups for the MPs?
DeanSree(A) Radio projects are solo. Video and NM projects take a lot of manpower so they are done in teams.

db(Q) After balloting, when are students notified of their finalized schedule?
DeanHuff(A) Students will learn of their RWI assignments when they arrive. As for the rest, we will let you know as soon as we get everything sorted. It will likely be the third week of August.

Raphael_Ahren(Q) If we buy a new MacBook, will we need to buy MS Word with it?
DeanSree(A) I’d certainly get MS Word, unless you use OpenOffice.org or similar open-source software

ed_forbes(Q) It terms of MP topics, how far out of the New York area is considered too far?
DeanSree(A) We usually say with in the tri-state area, so that you can go back again and again and again without worrying about the cost… It all depends on the professor.

katiabachko(Q) can you describe what happens during the add/drop period? are students invited to sample various classes, etc?
DeanHuff(A) No, we don’t have a shopping period here. Folks use add/drop to try to get into classes that they wanted originally, but didn’t get as a result of the ballot. Or they are using it to swap into an outside elective or to add a skills class.

sjbeards(Q) What if a foreign student has a social security number (i.e., dual-citizenship) but wants to take the US/NY as a foreign country class? Will that work? Thanks.
DeanHuff(A) Students will be registered based on their citizenship status. However, during the add/drop period, you can move to the alternate class if you feel it is a better fit.

vsz2(Q) Might you schedule a second Career Services chat? I look forward to the transcript but am wondering whether a second one might be offered…
DeanSree(A) Yes, depending on the interest level, we will add another chat closer to the end of the month.

Gayle(Q) roughly how large are broadcast MP groups?
DeanSree(A) video MPs are usually done in groups of three.

Gayle(Q) Hi, what will broadcast students be doing between August 6 and August 16 (when the formal orientation starts)?
DeanSree(A) Watch for info on this.

lb2491(Q) For new media students, what will be the schedule from August 6-15? Will this be technical program training as well?
DeanSree(A) Please watch for more info next week. It will be a combination of intensive technical training and lectures/discussions.

Alex_Sundby(Q) Hello. Regarding the library, I’ll be in the city a week before the orientation for print students begins. Will I need my ID card to access the J-School’s library to look at past master’s projects? I’m guessing I get my ID at orientation.
DeanHuff(A) Yes, you need your ID to access the libraries here and yes you do get it during orientation.

lb2491(Q) How do new media masters projects differ? Are they conducted in groups or individually?
DeanSree(A) These are done in teams of two or three. They combine text, video, audio, photos, interactive graphics. See examples http://columbiajournalist.org/masters_projects/2005/index.asp?course=masters_projects
lb2491 left.

Sydney(Q) As a broadcast concentrator, am I correct that the only preferences I will be making on the ballot are for my masters project advisor and skills course? Or will there be an opportunity to make a preference for RWI instructors also? Also, am I required to take the TV writing skills course?
DeanHuff(A) No students indicate preferences for RWI. Broadcast students who plan to do a broadcast Master’s Project will only be balloting for skills classes as the advisers for the broadcast pitch process are randomly assigned. Broadcast students who want to do a print Master’s Project will be asked to rank preferences for this class. Broadcast students do not take a fall elective. Broadcast students will be doing TV writing as part of RWI; it is no longer a separate class.

jjacobs(Q) Do students ever write about sports for their masters project? Are there any advisors that are particularly experienced in sports journalism?
DeanSree(A) Yes, we certainly have sports topics each year. I myself once advised a project on the National Football League’s efforts to reach out to female fans… There are other profs interested in sports, too, including Vice Dean Klatell, Prof. Michael Shapiro, Prof. Sam Freedman (these three gents have written/are writing books about sports). Our sports writing class each spring is taught by Prof. Sandy Padwe.

katiabachko(Q) Sorry–I meant the “student loan” paperwork.
DeanHuff(A) For student loan questions, please contact Student Financial Services - http://www.columbia.edu/cu/sfs/

jedskim(Q) Is there a good pizza place near campus?
DeanSree(A) Absolutely: Koronet Pizza (slices as big as your face for about $2.00, if I recall). For other pizza joints, see http://www.sliceny.com - “America’s Favorite Pizza Blog”

bs2452(Q) I have been asked by UAH to reach Columbia during the week of 23-27 July. My program begins on 6th August. When and how can I get access to the Library?
DeanHuff(A) For UAH questions, you must interact directly with them. You may access the library using your student ID card, which you will receive on your first day here.

vsz2(C) *This is not a question* : Deans, thank you for your time! I look forward to
seeing/meeting you Aug. 6…Veronica Zaragovia
Ivan_Dominguez(C) Jumping from the conversation to Amazon and back (repeatedly) made this quite an expensive chat, Deans. Seriously, though, thank you for the assistance. Much appreciated. I am especially grateful for the Q&A that was not answered in the materials and online information already provided. -Ivan Dominguez

jlk(Q) Do you find that students usually bring laptops to campus on a daily basis?
DeanHuff(A) Yes, I think that most do.

Adam(Q) What’s the farthest borough in which a J-school student has lived during the term? (Also, is “J-school” considered a pretentious contraction, or can we get away with it in polite society?)
DeanSree(A) We have had students in furthest Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. And, yes, J-school is fine here - though most civilians will not know what you mean, unlike “B-school.”

sah(Q) is it plausible to work part-time and attend class full-time?
DeanSree(A) We highly, highly, highly discourage it. Sorry.

jpc2129(Q) For those of us that are arriving in town before classes start officially; any recommendations on how best to spend time getting acclimated? (i.e. learning way around particular neighborhood, checking in with future professors, etc.)
DeanHuff(A) I would spend as much time traveling the city by bus and subway as possible.

tomas(Q) Is there a Turkish Pastry shop nearby? What is so special about it, if it truly exists, as a friend so described it?
DeanHuff(A) I’m thinking you mean the Hungarian Pastry Shop. It is a lovely, laid back place where folks hang out for hours.

db2487(Q) From what I understand, the New York review of magazines is affiliated with the j-school, specifically with the magazine concentration. How will us magazine students interact with that publication?
DeanSree(A) In the Spring, we publish two magazines - NYRM and 801. Depending on which magazine PRODUCTION workshop you are in, you will be working on one of those mags (we also have mag workshops without any production.

tomas(Q) Housing…do most students in the Jschool live close to the campus. If not, are there recommended neighborhoods, nearby and further away which may provide easier public transportation access to campus than others…?
DeanHuff(A) Anything on the West Side will give you easy access to campus. However, lots of folks live in Brooklyn, Queens and elsewhere too.

mnp2109(Q) How writing-focused is the broadcast concentration? Although I’m in broadcast, would I have the opportunity to write articles, or is it more focused on scripts?
DeanSree(A) You will be doing half your RWI work in print-style classes, along with Law and Critical Issues, so you will have plenty of time to work on your print writing.

sah(Q) what are the best means of preperation for the J-school
DeanSree(A) I’ll save this and other questions for future chats.

Yian(Q) I would like to start building a new website now. What software does the school use? (So that I can learn the same one) — Yian from New Media.
DeanSree(A) We use Dreamweaver and a CMS (content mgmt system) called FatWire.

ctaske(C) Thank you Deans for spending time on all of our questions. This was very informative and I’m looking forward to the next session. Greetings from Germany! - Christian

ed_forbes(C) Thanks…
bs2452(Q) One last question Deans- once we indicate our Masters Project preference in the ballot, can we change it later from video to print? Thanks for the very helpful session, look forward to meeting you. (Betwa)
DeanHuff(A) Yes.

jedskim(Q) Will we have access to cameras and other recording equipment right away, or will we have to wait until our classes get to that point?
DeanHuff(A) Equipment use is generally tied to classes that require it.
neanda left.

DeanSree(P) Answering a couple of more and then will call it quits. More in the days ahead. Thanks for playing!

tomas(Q) Gym access. Do we get free access to a Columbia swimming pool? or do we have to pay for extra privileges?
DeanHuff(A) I don’t believe that you have to pay extra. There will be someone here at some point during orientation from the gym with all of the details.

lb2491(C) Thank you, Deans, for your time. Lisa Biagiotti

Jro2111(Q) What will our RWI schedule look like? How often does RWI meet, and how long are the classes?
DeanSree(A) RWI usually meets three days. One day for seminar and drill. One day for deadline reporting. And one more beat reporting. Some days are all day, some are just half days or less. All depends on your professor.

sjbeards(Q) A question from a classmate abroad who couldn’t make the chat — New Media students choose no electives in the fall, but when they get that opportunity in the spring, will any of those same fall classes be available? Can we currently see what spring classes will be available?
DeanHuff(A) Most fall electives are offered again in the spring as either electives or seminars. We don’t know yet what we will be offering in Spring 2008

lb2491(Q) Are there certain programs New Media students should have installed on their personal computers? Will this be address the week of August 6?
DeanSree(A) Yes, we will discuss in August and in the memo about Aug. 6.

rc2454(Q) Hi Sree - I was wondering if students select their session/group for RWI when registering (in terms of trying to find an instructor whose interests match up with theirs, since the RWI instructor becomes the master’s project advisor for each student).
DeanHuff(A) The Master’s Project adviser is NOT you RWI professor. Students are automatically enrolled for RWI, but depending on concentration can express preferences for their Master’s Project advisers.

db(Q) Also, I’m still undecided as to exactly the direction of study I want to go in once the school year begins. How flexible is the curriculum once we’ve started?
DeanSree(A) There will be opportunities to change direction in the Spring - depending on what you want to do, in addition to our Add/Drop period.

mb1373(Q) Would you recommend New Media concentrators purchase a Mac over a PC?
DeanSree(A) I myself am a Mac fan - depends on the individual, though.

Jro2111(C) Thanks so much, Deans! This has been very helpful.

neanda(Q) Do you have a course regarding how to properly interpret and handle statistics?
DeanHuff(A) This is covered in Computer Assisted Reporting (both skills and the spring elective)

nzl1(Q) Hello, my name is Nicky Loomis and I am a full-time MS student with a newspaper emphasis. My mom was wondering if she could come to class with me the first week? I said it probably wasn’t such a good idea, but she wanted me to double-check and make sure I mention how much she “loves reading the paper.” — Just Kidding! Thanks for organizing the chats!!
DeanSree(A) Guests are welcome, at the discretion of the profs.

tomas(Q) Im Stabile and Magazine. It seems like the Magazine concentration has little or no prominence informing course choices. Correct me if I am wrong. Where do we get Magazine guidance or training, for example, when it seems as if Stabile requirements oblige one to focus on its priorities?
DeanHuff(A) Your spring workshop will be a magazine one and your fall elective may be balloted for based on your educational needs.

rc2454(Q) I was wondering about the difference between fall and spring offerings of the same classes (skills or electives). I keep seeing “offered in expanded form in the Spring.” Is there significantly more content in the Spring duplicate offerings?
DeanSree(A) Depends on you and the topic. The Fall electives typically meet for 10 weeks and have a cap of three assignments. The Spring classes meet for 15 weeks and have no cap on assignments. As you can imagine, they are more in-depth.

Raphael_Ahren(Q) Where exactly - besides CNS and Bronx Beat vs. magazine workshop - are the differences between the newspaper and magazine concentrations?
DeanSree(A) Another difference is that Delacorte Lectures in the Spring (senior editors give lectures) are mandatory for magazine majors, optional for the rest.

Gayle(C) *Thanks everyone!
neanda(C) Thank you - Greetings from Neanda in Stockholm

mb1373(Q) For the New Media and Broadcast concentrators who will be starting August 6th, will we be receiving more information on the work we will be doing in the ten days before everyone else arrives? Should we expect to be in class all day every day right up to orientation?
DeanSree(A) Yes, you will get an hour-by-hour schedule next week.

jpc2129(Q) How much leeway to New Media students get in terms of setting up our Fall classes? After reading the recent curriculum guide, i am under the impression that we have been registered for all of our courses already and don’t get a choice for an elective. (Because we must take New Media Newsroom)
DeanSree(A) The broadcast and new media majors have fewer choices in the Fall, since their majors require a lot of work. In the Spring, you get a lot more choices.

Yian(Q) Hi Deans, Thank you for an informative session. If you are still taking questions: I am interested in reporting on conflict and peace for my Masters project. Which professors would work in this area?
DeanSree(A) Prof. Judith Matloff, Prof. Josh Friedman, Prof. Tom Kent, Prof. Peter Spielmann, among many, many others.

taismoraes(C) * Many thanks! - Greetings from Brazil.

DeanSree(P) All right, folks. We got 125 questions in all… We answered as many as we good. Am sure we will get to the rest in the weeks ahead. See you Wednesday for the Career Services talk. We only have room for 50 people at a time, so please get here early! And, yes, we will do it again…

Sydney(Q) I’m still just a little confused about one thing–as a broadcast concentrator, do I or don’t I make preferences for RWI instuctors? (if this is obvious on the ballot itself, you don’t have to answer) Thanks
DeanSree(A) No one is making RWI choices - as you will see. Thanks.

DeanSree(P) All right, folks. Off to get some lunch. See you online and in a few weeks.