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

M.S. students: The Fall Curriculum Guide info is below. and we are hosting a webcast/discussion about it on Wednesday, July 2. The M.A. students have more of a set curriculum, and will be receiving their guide in a few days, with a webcast/discussion with Dean Evan Cornog set for Thursday, July 17, 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO ALL OUR PREVIOUS WEBCASTS AND SEE ALL OUR RESOURCES AND FAQS FOR NEW STUDENTS at http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/2008/04/18/prepping/

[Please read the guide carefully. It’s also available off the “Current Students” page of the website.]

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Special info about your orientation, which begins Aug. 7, is at this link.

To: All M.S. students
From: LynNell Hancock, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Interim
Re: M.S. Instructional Program

Welcome!

The faculty, administrators and staff are glad that you have chosen to study with us at Columbia Journalism School. As students, you will be joining a community of teachers and learners who are dedicated to the highest ideals and aspirations of journalism. We believe that journalism is an integral part of a free, open and well-informed society. Everything we offer academically helps to promote that goal.

We have prepared some information to help you make appropriate academic decisions in the year to come.

It describes the instructional program for the Fall Semester for full-time M.S. candidates [LINK]
], and will help answer questions you might have
about the school [LINK].

This is an exciting moment in journalism, when technology is rapidly enhancing and altering the ways in which we tell the world’s stories. You will become familiar with the language and discipline of the changing modes of communication during the course of your time with us. At the same time, you will be reminded in every course that first-rate journalism education is far more than a mastery of skills. It’s all about learning context, analysis and habits of mind.

In mid-August, I will be returning to the faculty and you will have a chance to meet my successor as Dean of Academic Affairs, Bill Grueskin. He joins us from the Wall Street Journal, where he was one of the top editors and helped run the print and online newsrooms. Professor Grueskin will help lead the way in
bridging traditional journalism with the future of the industry.

Meanwhile, take special note of the impending deadlines (our favorite word) for balloting for Fall courses. And sample as many books as you can over the summer from the suggested reading list [LINK].

See you in August.

LynNell Hancock

Degrees are awarded in October, February and May. Every candidate, regardless of graduation date, is invited to participate in the May Commencement ceremony.

In order to be considered for a degree or certificate, you must file an application with the Journalism School.

IMPORTANT: This form CANNOT be submitted electronically. Please type in the required information, print, sign and bring it to the box outside of Dean Huff’s office [207C] marked “Diploma Applications.”

Alternately, you can mail it to:

Dean Huff
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
2950 Broadway
New York, NY 10027

Application Deadlines
Graduating in - Apply by
October - August 1
February - November 1
May - December 1

Please Note The Following:

When a deadline for application falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Doctoral students must deposit their dissertation at least a week before the conferral date in order to graduate.

Message from LynNell Hancock, Interim Dean of Academic Affairs

Dear Students and Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce three major additions to our new media
efforts at the Journalism School.

The first is the appointment of one our most popular adjuncts, Duy
Linh Tu, to the full-time faculty. Duy (pronounced “Do” - see bio
below) joins us as new media coordinator and an assistant professor of
professional practice. As you know, he has been teaching here for
several years in the new media classrooms. He will intensify his
efforts to “webbify” our fall classes, and to integrate new and
compelling ideas in multimedia storytelling throughout the curriculum
in the years to come. Duy will continue to work with Dean Sree
Sreenivasan, who, as you know, has increased administrative
responsibilities at the school.

In addition, we have created two new post-graduate New Media
Fellowships starting this year. These July-June fellowships will
employ two students who will work closely with the technology staff to
help students and professors alike navigate the world of new media
journalism.

Our inaugural fellows are Kenan Davis and Dave Mayers (see bios
below). Part-teaching assistants, part-technologists, this year’s
fellows are both smart journalists with terrific reporting, writing,
editing and production skills. They will report to Duy.

Please join me in congratulating them. Kenan and Dave officially begin
their duties on July 1, but I am sure you will have other
opportunities to greet them before then.

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From: Larry Fried, Asst. Dean for Technology

Dear Students,

Please make note of the following technology items as we approach the end of the academic year:

Equipment and Fines:

All checked out equipment should be returned no later than May 15th.

Equipment fines must by paid by May 16th or you may have a hold placed
on your diploma. If you wish to dispute a fine, please email Craig at
ch2314[at]columbia.edu.
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End-of-Year Manual

May 2008
TO: All Students
FROM: Melanie Huff, Assistant Dean of Students

In order to help you plan for Graduation and beyond, we have prepared some documents for you - please make sure you read both carefully.

Journalism Day, the Journalism School graduation ceremony and the University graduation are covered in detail on the graduation page.

Post-graduation use of the building/equipment and alumni benefits/services are covered here.

Please keep in mind that this summer extensive construction work is taking place along with work to repair and prepare the building and equipment for the next academic year. Therefore, it is necessary to establish dates after which graduating students will no longer be able to access and use the facilities. Outlined below is the schedule for the coming summer.

Part of the reason for the tight deadlines is that the two new summer Part-time RWI classes begin on Friday, May 23.

Use of Journalism Building Facilities After May 21
Use of Building:
Members of the Class of 2008 will have access to the building and its facilities through June 30, 2008.

Exceptions include: any area under construction, and any classrooms and computer rooms being used for summer classes or special programs. If you are in one of these rooms when a class is scheduled to begin, please leave immediately. Refusal to cooperate may result in the termination of your access to the building.

Broadcast students may use the broadcast equipment, as available, until June 30. Please remember that scheduled summer school classes and members of the part-time class working on their master’s projects, as well as necessary equipment maintenance upgrades, have priority for equipment and editing rooms.

Please be aware that individual computer rooms will be closed at different times for maintenance and upgrading. Though it is likely, it is not guaranteed that there will always be a computer room or terminal available. Due to maintenance schedules, summer class schedules and the part-time students’ master’s projects, it is possible that you will be unable to use a computer at a specific time.

Student Lockers:
In order to get ready for the construction and the incoming part-time students, all May graduates must empty their lockers by noon, Friday, 23.

Continuing part-time students and News 21 fellows may keep their lockers. Graduates who will be working on a demo tape or other approved projects during the month of June may also keep their lockers. To request such a locker extension, please send e-mail to cc2964@columbia.edu with your name and the reason for your request.

Graduates’ lockers that have not been vacated by noon on Friday, May 23, will be have their locks removed and contents moved to a storage bin and eventually discarded. All locker questions should be directed to Melanie Huff.

Student Mailboxes:
The mailboxes of graduating students may be used until noon, Friday, May 23 as well. All items remaining in boxes after that date will be discarded. Continuing students (& News 21) will be able to access their mailboxes on the first floor hallway over the summer.

Computers:
Graduating students will retain access to computer resources through June 30, 2008. Afterwards you will be unable to use the computer labs, print, or access your network storage. Please be sure to backup all of your files to external media (CDs, DVDs, flash media, iPods, etc.) before your account is deactivated.

E-mail:
Please see the alumni services/benefits section below for full details.

University Services After May 21

Health Services
Access to Health Services at the University expires on August 31 for all graduating students. For those with major medical health insurance through Columbia (Chickering), coverage ends on July 31 for M.S. students. Coverage for all other students ends on August 31. You do have the option of purchasing an extention on this policy. Please see http://www.health.columbia.edu/index.html for details.

University Libraries
Recent alumni will retain full library privileges, including borrowing privileges and access to licensed electronic databases, for a period of three months beyond the degree conferral date. Access information can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/services/lio/access/. Library Services for alumni can be found at http://www.alumni.libraries.columbia.edu/

Dodge Physical Fitness Center (aka the Gym)
You may use the gym over the summer with your current CUID. However, you will have to pay the $91 gym use fee. Beginning in September, you will be eligible for alumni gym use. Please see http://alumni.columbia.edu/visit/s5_1.html

Alumni Benefits and Services

A variety of benefits and services are available to Journalism School graduates. This page answers most of your most questions and concerns, from auditing a class at Columbia to updating your address information, from obtaining a transcript of your time here to using Columbia’s recreational facilities - http://snipurl.com/cugsj_alumni

Please note that you will automatically be subscribed to your class list serve using the real world e-mail address supplied in your graduation survey (more details en route from Career Services). Your Columbia e-mail will remain an actual e-mail account through the summer, but then you will have to convert it to an alias to which your e-mail is sent and then forwarded to your real world account. Instructions are available at http://alumni.columbia.edu/access/s2_2.html.

READ CAREFULLY - Graduation Tickets

Graduation tickets are now available.

Each graduate receives four tickets for the Journalism School Graduation Ceremony & four for the University Commencement. If you need more tickets, please arrange to trade with other students. Graduates don’t have to use a ticket for themselves.

To receive your tickets you MUST do TWO things.

1. Complete the graduation survey at http://fs7.formsite.com/cu_jschool_careers/gradsurvey2008/

The survey is used to create a class directory (both your class list serve and the alumni database), employment statistics and a database of employment information indicating the types of position openings in which you are interested. This is very important in determining how we can better help graduates find the best jobs as quickly as possible, and how the school can help make that happen by also collecting feedback on career services.

You willingness to allow career services to circulate your resume is also indicated on the survey.

2. Submit a NEW copy of your resume electronically with the survey. The resume should indicate that you have graduated and include up-to-date contact information. It will be used by the Career Services Office to assist you in your employment search.

You may pick up your tickets from Claudia Castillo in room 2M07A (mezzanine) once you have completed your online graduation survey AND submitted your updated resume. Ms. Castillo will verify receipt of the survey and have you sign for your ticket envelope containing both sets of tickets.

The survey can done 24/7, but Ms. Castillo is available for ticket pick-up/resume submission from 9 am-5 pm only. If you are a part-time student and it is impossible for you to come in, you may contact her (cc2964 or 212-851-0246) about having tickets mailed. Survey receipt verification is still required.

Dear Journalism Students,

The evaluation system (https://courseworks.columbia.edu/) for students to provide feedback about their classes will be live for the Spring 2008 semester on Thursday, May 1, 2008. PT January RWI, MA Seminar in Discipline, and MS Workshop and Seminar professors will be scheduling lab time for you to complete these. If you are not enrolled in any of these courses, please complete all your evaluations on your own. The deadline for completion is Tuesday, May 27 , 2008, at 9 p.m.

Your role in providing feedback via course evaluations is of vital importance to the Journalism School. The information is used by faculty to evaluate their syllabi and to refine their practices and by the administration to make curriculum decisions and assess professor performance.

Course evaluations are one element in tenure, promotion and contract decisions; they can affect professors’ careers at Columbia.

Future students also use the information to make informed balloting choices.

We ask that you take your time and seriously reflect on your learning experience as you provide an honest answer to each question. You do not have to complete all the forms in one sitting. However, once you begin working on the form for a given class you must complete and submit it before exiting the system. Partially completed forms are not stored.

Please be aware that professors won’t have access to your evaluations of them until after they have submitted their evaluations of your performance.

Please note, we have no control over the system once the deadline has passed. Every semester students contact us after the deadline asking to fill in the form or to make edits to their evaluations, and there is nothing we can about those situations. Please be certain to complete all evaluations by the, Tuesday, May 27, 9 p.m. deadline.

Between Thursday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 27, you will receive reminders every two days for each evaluation that you have yet to complete. These automatic reminders are generated by the CourseWorks system.

Thank you for your assistance.

Questions to dos@jrn.columbia.edu

Attn: M.S. Students
From: Dean Huff
Re: Year-end Awards
April 22, 2008

Each year on Journalism Day the school confers awards on several top-performing students. Each prize winner will receive a certificate and some will receive additional cash prizes (this depends on how the awards were originally set up). Below you will find the descriptions of this year’s awards.

These awards are open to any M.S. students graduating in this cycle (May 2008, Feb. 2008 and Oct. 2007). M.A. students are eligible for a separate category, for outstanding thesis, and will receive information from Dean Cornog.

There are two broad categories of awards: those for which students can submit entries that are judged by faculty juries; and those decided by the professors teaching the course for which they are awarded - no submissions are accepted for these.

Please note: There are two awards run and judged by alumni - the Sander and Blood awards, which have already accepted submissions.

Another prize, the Harron Award, is decided by a faculty committee from nominations provided by the J-school community - see separate announcement). All M.S., M.A., Knight Bagehot, and Ph.D. students are eligible.

For juried awards, you may submit applications for no more than two categories (the Blood, Hechinger and Sander awards are not part of the limit), and each application can contain only one story, or segment of a Master’s Project no longer than 3,500 words (or 10-12 minutes of video or audio; for new media projects, submit specific URLs in addition to an overall URL, and printouts of the relevant pages).

The decisions of the faculty judges are final, and their deliberations are confidential.

If you are submitting an application for one of the juried awards, you must submit clean, hard copy (or broadcast materials, if applicable, WITH SCRIPTS, or for new media projects, submit specific URLs in addition to an overall URL, and printouts of the relevant pages) to the boxes in 2M07A (in the Career Services area)between Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. and Monday, May 5 at 10 a.m. If you are coming after business hours, please drop off the entries through the slot of the gray box outside of the DOS offices(Huff/Sreenivasan) PLEASE SUBMIT THREE COPIES OF EACH ITEM.
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[Most of the information below is for M.S. students only. M.A. students are eligible for a separate award, the Arthur Harris Prize for best Master’s Thesis.]

We received the following question from a student:

Today in RW1 we had a guest speaker whose bio mentioned that she received the “Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship, won for graduating first in her class…”

Since we don’t receive grades, I’m wondering how this designation of “first in class” is decided.

Good question. Here’s the answer, from the Grades section of Academic Dean’s letter about the Fall 2005 curriculum.

The Journalism School has a Pass-Fail system of formal grading. It aims at encouraging students to perform as well as they can, without competing with classmates. In most courses (some electives excepted), students receive written evaluations of their work from the instructors. Copies of these evaluations are kept in the DOS Office.

In RWI, written evaluations are issued at midterm and at the end of the semester. These preliminary evaluations indicate students’ early progress and, if necessary, serve as a warning if any students are in danger of failing. Students who are not doing passing work are placed on probation. If a student’s work is passing at midterm but deteriorates after the midterm evaluation, the instructor will give written notice of possible failure and inform the faculty.

RWI is the most important fall course. The decision to pass or fail a student in that course is determined solely by the instructor(s.) No grades of incomplete are allowed in RWI. Other required courses-such as Journalism, the Law and Society-are important, too. Inattention can result in failure. Students also should note that the “Skills” mini-courses are meant to be taken very seriously. The faculty reserves the right to dismiss a student who fails the same course twice or two courses, regardless of the credit points of the courses.

Deadlines for the Master’s Project drafts are strictly enforced. The Faculty retains the right to fail or place on probation a student who fails to meet deadlines for the Master’s Project.

No student is permitted to graduate while still on probation.

At graduation, the honors list is announced, recognizing approximately 15 percent of the students for superior performance in multiple courses; the faculty determines the honors list by comparing and discussing each student’s complete record. The faculty also awards more than a dozen special prizes at graduation, including five Pulitzer Traveling Fellowships for overall performance during the academic year. These decisions are based in part on an informal system of grading, which permits each instructor to designate one or two students as having completed a course “with honors.” Students are informed of the honors designation.

That designation, in the individual classes, is “honors in class,” and you will see it - if you get it - in the written evaluations you receive. If you receive two or more “honors in class” in our six-credit courses (RW1, Master’s Project, seminar, workshop) AND one or more in three-credit elective, you are likely to “graduate with honors.”

Except for a few prizes for which students can submit stories to be judged, the rest of the prizes are decided by faculty, without input from the students.

We hold briefing sessions close to Graduation to explain the procedures.

Part-time students are eligible for the awards and are tracked during their entire academic career here (though the prizes are typically given out the year they graduate).

Please direct all questions to Deans Sreenivasan and Huff.

Summer 2008 Curriculum

REPORTING AND WRITING I
Section 1
Day/Time: MW 7:00pm-10:00pm
Location: M 607A; W 607C
Instructor: Robin Reisig
Madatory Orientation - May 23
Mandatory Bus Tour - May 24
First class - May 28
Last class - August 27
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FROM: Dean Cornog

RE: M.S. Master’s Projects, March 2008

The deadline for submitting your finished Master’s Project is Monday, March 24, at 10 a.m.

Only those who have received a formal extension from your faculty adviser and the Dean of Students Office have permission to miss this deadline. All projects must be submitted to the DOS Office team who will be stationed in the Stabile Student Center that morning. You will be required to sign your name on the Master’s Project submission log when you turn in your final project.

For those of you with an early deadline or who wish to submit your final project early, the DOS office will begin accepting final Master’s Project submissions as of 9 a.m., Monday, March 10 (with Yahaira Alonzo at the desk outside the offices of Deans Sreenivasan and Huff). Ms. Alonzo will be taking submissions during spring break ( 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F).

Your submitted project must conform to the following requirements, so follow these instructions carefully:

1. You must write a first-person narrative of how you discovered, researched and reported your story. This will help future students see what goes into the making of a successful master’s project. This “P.S.” should be included with all copies of your Project, and should run no longer than 1,000 words. If confidentiality is a concern, before submitting the library copy, your narrative may be redacted or disguised to conceal specific, identifying information about individuals. For example, you may use “my main character” or “the protagonist” (or similar) instead of someone’s name. Include a copy of this narrative with all copies. If confidentiality is a concern and the above suggestion does not work, then withhold the “P.S.” from the library copy.
Note: the true identity and contact information for all of your sources must be disclosed to your adviser and included on the source list that you submit to your adviser.

2. Print three copies of your manuscript, or a verbatim broadcast script, double-spaced on one side of white paper, leaving a 1½- inch margin on the left-hand side and a 1-inch margin on all other sides. Do not use photographic paper as it does not meet preservation guidelines for library materials. Projects submitted on photo paper will be returned to the author in exchange for a plain-paper copy.

3. You should submit a complete source list for your project. If you are not certain about the best way to cite a source, consult with your adviser. Be aware that source lists and your entire project, including the “P.S.” portion, will be available for reading and copying by all Journalism School library visitors. (Columbia University Libraries does not provide copies of master’s projects or theses via its interlibrary loan service.) As noted above, if you have confidentiality concerns with sources (i.e. names, phone numbers, personal addresses, etc.), you are responsible for removing the source list from the library copy.

4. Pages must be numbered. Do not put any sort of binding on the project, and do not staple the pages.

5. Include a separate title page with the following information: Your name, class year, the title of your project, the name of your master’s adviser, and, at the bottom of the page, add:

Copyright
(Name of Student)
(Year)

6. Put each copy in a new 9 x 11 ½ envelope. Label the front of each envelope with your name, your class year, the title of your project and the name of your adviser for the Master’s Project. Please be certain to clearly label the library copy.

7. Submit all three copies to the DOS Office team in the Stabile Student Center on March 24. One copy will be returned to you with your instructor’s comments; another copy will be reserved for the library, and the third copy will be kept by your adviser.

* Students submitting a Radio or Television/Video Project should
include:

• Two copies of your script
• For Television, two copies of your project on DVD, plus a
  videotape copy if your adviser requests one
• For Radio, two copies of your project on audio CD. In addition,
  provide your adviser a copy of the .wav file (i.e. the final mix
  “bounce,” on a data CD.

For all projects, please make two copies, labeling all DVDs, CDs, tapes, and accompanying materials with complete project information (author(s), title, adviser). Indicate whether CDs are data or audio. The Technical Staff can assist television projects in making the DVDs from the final, edited tape. Be sure to give them plenty of advance notice if you need their assistance.

* Students submitting a New Media project should include:

• A cover page with your names, topic and URL, and a copyright statement.
• A printout of each of your individual pages (even if some go beyond the margins - and black-and-white only, please).
• A printed essay about how you approached your story, with tips for future students. In most cases, your “about us” should suffice (print it out separately if it does work as the “P.S.” described above).

The library cannot store computer disks, and does not have the facilities for viewing their contents. A hyperlink will be made from the Masters Project Index web page to the project itself.

You will be expected to submit the materials above AND upload your final websites to the servers by 10 a.m. on Monday, March 24.

8. If you are submitting your master’s project earlier than the deadline, you must submit all copies to the DOS Office (to Yahaira Alonzo at the desk outside the offices of Deans Sreenivasan and Huff). You must also inform your adviser of the date you submitted the project.

9. Keep a copy of your project for yourself. Neither the Journalism School nor the Journalism Library is able to provide on-demand copies of your work. You are expected to keep usable copies of your Master’s project for future reference. For print projects and transcripts, a hard copy is the best option.

Please note, the DOS Office is closed from Friday at 5 p.m. till Monday at 9 a.m. If you cannot come to the school during business hours, you may mail your three copies to: Melanie Huff, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, 2950 Broadway, Room 207C, New York, NY 10027. Please note that they must arrive by Monday, March 24.

Dear Class of 2008:

The Class of 1989 is pleased to announce the Leslie Rachel Sander Social Justice Award, in memory of our classmate who died on her 22nd birthday in June 1989, after a courageous battle with cancer.

We offer a $750 prize to a student at the school whose work carries on the journalism for social justice to which Leslie aspired. The winner will be chosen by some of her former classmates and announced on Journalism Day. All members of the class of 2008 are invited to submit one entry each.

Choice of Subject…
…is yours. Reporting including but not limited to economics, environment, education, health care, housing, politics and transportation may be appropriate. Entries could be a hard-hitting expose or a descriptive feature, an essay or a work of straight reporting. Topics may be local, national or international.

In 2006 the award went to a piece about domestic violence among immigrant Arab women. Past winners have included a story about teenage female criminals falling through the cracks of a criminal justice system designed for an overwhelmingly male population (1997); “One Strike, You’re Out,” a story about a federal immigration law, applied retroactively, that requires the deportation of immigrants who have been
convicted of a felony (1998); our first broadcast winner, “TB: The City’s Silent Killer” (1995); and “Childhood Interrupted,” about children who come to the United States seeking asylum and end up in INS detention (2002).

We leave it to you to define social justice. To Leslie it meant a commitment “to personally make a positive difference in the world around her,” as her father wrote in her obituary. Leslie was special: caring, and compassionate, a good listener and a sharp, critical thinker. The choices she made in her short life–teaching at a multiracial school in Botswana; studying journalism–reflected her ideals.

Entry Requirements

Print pieces should not exceed 3,000 words. Broadcast scripts should be no longer than 10 pages; finished tapes should be no longer than 10 minutes.

Judges, who are members of the class of 1989, will consider choice of subject, originality, reportorial skill and style.

Reporting need not be complete, although it must be more than just computer searches. A work in progress, such as an investigative piece, an unfinished photo essay or a rough edit of a documentary may be submitted if it is far enough along to be judged on its merits. In that case, we hope the award will give a student the finances and encouragement to complete the work so that it may be published or aired.

Submission Process

If you do not follow these instructions your entry may be disqualified.

Submissions must be e-mailed as Word attachments to karyncolombo@yahoo.com by noon Friday, April 4, 2008. Please also include a copy of the entry as text within the e-mail in case there are any problems opening the attachment.

For New Media submissions, please e-mail the URL to karyncolombo@yahoo.com by noon Friday, April 4, 2008.

Entries, which will be judged anonymously, may be sent any time until the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.

Audio and videotapes must be postmarked by Friday, April 4, and mailed to:

Karyn Colombo
News Desk
The Palm Beach Post
2751 S. Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, Fla. 33405-1233

Please note that e-mailed transcripts of the tape also must be received by the noon deadline or the tape will not be considered.

Questions? Please contact Karyn Colombo at karyncolombo@yahoo.com or at (561) 659-9880.

Regards,

Class of 1989

Dear Continuing Students:

For those of you NOT graduating this semester, we are hosting two summer information sessions:

• Wednesday, February 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Stabile Student Center
• Tuesday, March 11, 6-7 p.m. in the Stabile Student Center.

We will discuss what classes might be offered in the summer and how you can plan for your Master’s Projects (if you are thinking of doing it during the summer).

It’s early enough that we haven’t finalized everything and this gives us a chance to get a sense of what you are interested in as well.

We realize not everyone will be able to attend one of these events, so we will circulate via e-mail the information discussed in person.

We will also be conducting an online survey.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Richard J. Blood Award For Excellence in Reporting

DEADLINE: Noon, Monday, March 31

Seeking an unpublished investigative, hard-news or news feature story of publishable quality.
Please, no profiles.

• Submit one article of no more than 1,500 words. Please double-space entries, and note the word count alongside the headline.
• A winning entry will overflow with voices, specifics and solid attribution. Less is more: Leave in only the details that move the story forward. Make your copy lean, your prose sing and soar.
• Particular attention will be given to rigorously reported stories that have the potential to improve social conditions – stories that alert the community to a danger, explain human behavior, entertain, inform and educate.
• You are strongly encouraged to review the article with your instructor, incorporate any reporting/editing suggestions and rewrite it before submission.

The award is $700

Please submit SIX COPIES of your article to Claudia Castillo, Student Services Coordinator, Room 2m07A, by Noon, March 31.

Please note that the competition is for unpublished work, but that articles that have run on the ColumbiaJournalist.org ARE eligible.

We will announce the winner on Journalism Day

*This award is administered by the Class of 1995 Blood Award committee: Stephanie Argy, Raney Aronson, Ellen Butler Bikales, Maria Sanminiatelli and Erin Texeira

M.S. MASTER’S PROJECTS: Small grants for reporting expenses

The Dean’s Office is pleased to offer a limited number of small grants for M.S. Master’s Projects starting in the Fall of 2007 and to be continued on a rolling basis in the semesters ahead.

These grants of up to $200 per project (individually for print or radio projects; in teams for TV or new media) are for a limited number of projects.

Grants are made for verifiable reporting expenses such as research trips in the Tri-state area, and, an occasional trip to, say, Washington, D.C. (remember, your primary reportage is supposed to be near the NYC area). Grants are not to be used for money to go home during Winter Break. These are not cash advances, but reimbursements for money spent with approval from the grants coordinator, Elizabeth Rogers.

At this time, students should apply for the grants, listing anticipated costs. Ms. Rogers, in consultation with Dean Huff, will make a determination of which applications to approve and for how much. She may ask for a separate note/recommendation from your Master’s Project adviser.

In the weeks ahead, after the approved expenses are spent, she will work with the finance office to provide reimbursements to students. Students will be required to submit receipts for their expenses. Reimbursements will be made via student financial accounts.

If an approved grantee ends up not using as much was originally approved, he/she will be reimbursed for actual expenditures and the remaining money will go back in the pool.

As this is a rolling amount of money, students can apply at any time during the Master’s Project process, but we cannot guarantee availability.

If you are interested, please fill in the online form available below.

Please designate a single person to submit the form on behalf of team projects.

If you have any questions, please put them into the comments/questions section. Only applications via this form will be considered.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to consider any projects that were completed before the Fall 2007 semester.

Master’s Project Grants Application Form

Dear Journalism Students,

The evaluation system (https://courseworks.columbia.edu/) for students to provide feedback about their classes will be live for the Fall 2007 semester on Monday, December 3, 2007. RWI and MA Seminar in Discipline professors will be scheduling lab time for you to complete these. If you are not enrolled in either of these courses, please complete all your evaluations on your own. The deadline for completion is Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

Your role in providing feedback via course evaluations is of vital importance to the Journalism School. The information is used not only by future students to make informed balloting choices but also by faculty to evaluate their syllabi and to refine their practices and by the administration to make curriculum decisions and assess professor performance.

PLEASE NOTE: We have added instructor evaluation questions submitted by members of SJP that they feel will give us and future students a more complete picture.

Course evaluations are one element in tenure, promotion and contract decisions; they can affect professors’ careers at Columbia.

We ask that you take your time and seriously reflect on your learning experience as you provide an honest answer to each question.

Please note, we have no control over the system once the deadline has passed. Every semester students contact us after the deadline asking to fill in the form or to make edits to their evaluations, and there is nothing we can about those situations. Please be certain to complete all evaluations by the, Tuesday, January 22 deadline.

You do not have to complete all the forms in one sitting. However, once you begin working on the form for a given class you must complete and submit it before exiting the system. Partially completed forms are not stored.

Please be aware that professors won’t have access to your evaluations of them until after they have submitted their grades and evaluations of your performance.

Between Monday, December 3 and Tuesday, January 22, you will receive reminders every day for each evaluation that you have yet to complete. These automatic reminders are generated by the CourseWorks system.

Thank you for your assistance.

Questions to dos@jrn.columbia.edu

Ballots go live at 7 a.m on Wednesday, November 21

Welcome to the Spring Ballots for M.S. and Knight Bagehot Students

Please carefully follow the instructions below.

• First, please read the Fall Curriculum thoroughly (http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/2007/11/19/memo-spring-2008-curriculum/). Some information has been added and some changed since the document became available.
• You may read students’ evaluations of many of the classes and professors at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/journalism/evaluations/. You will have to log in using your UNI and password.
• To complete the ballot you will need your Columbia e-mail address and PID (If you have lost your PID, please refer to http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/2005/11/14/faq-how-do-i-find-my-pid/)
• The ballots are NOT handled on a first-come, first-served basis. As long as you make the deadline (Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7 a.m. ) you have equal standing with all other students.
• If your ballot is received after the deadline, you will be placed in classes on a space available basis.
• If you made a mistake or changed your mind, please resubmit your ballot. Your most recently-submitted ballot as of the deadline (Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7 a.m.) will be the one processed.
• If you experience any problems using the ballot, please send e-mail to dos@jrn.columbia.edu
• Please note we cannot promise students they will gain a seat in any specific class.

Spring 2008 Ballot

Please note that this document is updated regularly! Last updated 12/13, 2:48 p.m.

12/13/2007 Updates

• Producing a Magazine B with Jim Kelly will meet on Fridays, 2:30-5:30 pm

12/12/2007 Updates

• Second section of Business Reporting added - Prof. Paul Ingrassia

11/27/2007 Updates

• Literary Journalism will meet Fridays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

11/26/2007 Updates

• Christopher Lehmann-Haupt will teach the Literary Journalism workshop
• Elizabeth Pochoda will teach the Magazine Editing elective

M.S. Spring 2008 Curriculum Guide

TO: All M.S. Students
FROM: David A. Klatell, Vice Dean
RE: Spring Curriculum

Here is the program of instruction for the spring term. Full-time M.S. students are required to take a 6-credit Reporting and Writing Seminar, a 6-credit Media Workshop, the Master’s Project and fulfill the requirement for a 3-credit journalism elective or an approved 3-credit graduate course outside the school.

In addition, all full-time magazine concentrators will be automatically enrolled the Delacorte Evening Lecture Series (one-half credit). Part-time students concentrating in magazine may elect to take the lecture series in spring 2008 or 2009.

Students should read this material thoroughly and, after discussing the options with their advisers and the various instructors, rank their preferences on the online ballot (available as of November 21, 7:00 a.m. from the DOS Blog).

Enrollment in classes may be subject to the consent of instructors and most course enrollments are necessarily limited. As a result, some students may be assigned to classes that may not be among their top three picks. This is done as fairly and equitably as possible. If circumstances warrant, it may be possible to add a second section for certain classes, with different instructors. However, we cannot guarantee that we will add sections to any course, no matter the demand.

The curriculum reflects the best judgment of the faculty and administration, based on our many years of experience, and is not a popularity contest. We reserve the right to add, delete or move courses (though we try to keep this to a minimum) and sometimes have to change instructors if schedule conflicts become intractable. Students are required to rank their preferences for seminars, workshops, and electives.

Students should be aware that evaluations of courses by students in previous years are available for your perusal; they are available at www.columbia.edu/cu/journalism/evaluations/.

The on-line ballot will be activated at 7:00 a.m., November 21. Your completed ballot must be submitted on line no later than November 28, 7 a.m. All ballots received during this time will be considered equal – this is not a “first-come, first-served” process.

The Journalism School’s spring semester begins Tuesday, January 22, when the first draft of Master’s Projects must be submitted to your adviser by 10 a.m. Students completing broadcast or new media projects should consult with their advisers regarding the format of the first draft. Deadlines for subsequent master’s drafts have been set for February 25 and March 24, both days at 10 a.m. You will receive detailed instructions as those dates grow closer.

Please Note: Wednesday, January 23 there will be a full-day of mandatory programming for full-time M.S. students; all others are welcome. Workshops begin Thursday, January 24 or Friday, January 25. Seminars begin either Monday, January 28 or Tuesday, January 29. Journalism School electives start Wednesday, January 30.

Classes taught elsewhere in the University begin the week of January 22 (except for Law & Business School courses which may begin earlier). Be sure to check with your instructors for exact dates and times.

Required courses for full-time students:
1. Advanced Reporting and Writing Seminars (J6002y), 6 credits
2. Media Workshops (J6011y), 6 credits
3. Master’s Project II (J6041y), 3 credits
4. Spring term electives (J6010y), 3 credits

How a Week Looks in the Spring:

• Monday and Tuesday: Reporting and writing Seminars
• Wednesday: Most Electives and time for Master’s Projects
• Thursday and Friday: Most Workshops
• Saturday and Sunday: Some Electives and Workshops

Note: Many courses require special class meetings (field trips, editorial meetings, etc.) in addition to the listed class time. All students, particularly those in the part-time program, should check with the faculty to ascertain if their course has such additional requirements. Many faculty members have posted these on the school web site, linked to their name on the faculty page or to the course description in this document.

Advanced Reporting and Writing Seminars
J6002y (6 credits)
The disciplines of reporting and writing are structured around specialized subject areas or style techniques. These seminars usually require two full days each week on Monday and Tuesday - you should carefully check the schedule of each course by consulting the faculty or their class schedules posted on the web site.
They are listed below with the instructors (see later pages for fuller course descriptions). Because accommodating all first choices is unlikely, students must indicate six choices. In filling out the ballots, students should list specific seminars in order of their preferences.
Note: Admission to some seminars requires the instructor’s approval in advance (see course descriptions below). If you have been selected by Judith Crist, Sam Freedman, or Ari Goldman you will be asked to indicate so on your ballot. These classes will be filled prior to the ballot, so if you have not been pre-selected by the professor, you will not be able to submit a ballot requesting those classes.

All professors are allowed to select 10 of the students who ballot for their class as a first choice; the remaining seats are filled by the Dean of Students office in a manner that is intended to equalize students’ success in getting at least some of their first-choice classes.

The Seminars (J6002y):

• Book Writing – Sam Freedman
• Business & Economics Reporting – Cheryl Strauss Einhorn
• Covering Education – LynNell Hancock
• Covering Religion – Ari Goldman
• Writing About the Arts – Claudia Roth Pierpont
• The Deadline in Depth – Laura Muha
• Human Rights Reporting – Bill Berkeley
• Covering Race and Ethnicity With an Authentic Voice – Arlene Morgan and Alice Pifer
• International Affairs Reporting – Josh Friedman
• The Investigative Project – Walt Bogdanich
• The Journalism of Tomorrow – Stephen Isaacs
• National Affairs Reporting A – John Martin
• National Affairs Reporting B – Richard Wald
• Covering Conflict – Judith Matloff
• Personal & Professional Style – Judith Crist
• Science Reporting – Steve Hall
• Stabile Investigative Seminar – Sheila Coronel
• Business & Economics Reporting - Paul Ingrassia

Workshops
J6011y (6 credits):
Media workshops include a number of options: broadcast (TV — Nightly News, Documentary, Magazine Production, and Radio), newspaper (Bronx Beat, Columbia News Service), magazine (Producing a Magazine, Magazine Writing, Literary Journalism) and New Media. Students devote at least two days each week, usually Thursday and Friday, to the workshop. Note: schedules vary widely, so you should check with the faculty member for details or his/her posting on the web site.

All professors allowed to select 10 of the students who ballot for their class as a first choice; the remaining seats are filled by the Dean of Students office in a manner that is intended to equalize students’ success in getting at least some of their first-choice classes.

The Workshops (J6011y)

• Television Documentary – Jon Alpert
• Nightly News – William Wheatley
• Radio - John Dinges
• Television News Magazines – Betsy West
• Literary Journalism – Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
• Magazine Writing A - John Bennet
• Magazine Writing B – Stephen Fried
• Magazine Writing C – Cathleen McGuigan
• Producing a Magazine A - Victor Navasky
• Producing a Magazine B – Jim Kelly
• New Media A– Duy Linh Tu and Carla Baranauckas
• New Media B –Adam Glenn and Russell Chun
• Bronx Beat – Addie Rimmer
• Columbia News Service – Bruce Porter

Master’s Project II
J6041y (3 credits) — a continuation of Journalism J6040x

Master’s Project Deadlines:

• Jan. 22: First draft of all Master’s Projects (for audio/video projects, the “work cut”) will be handed in to your advisor by 10 a.m.
• Feb. 25: Second draft of all Projects (for video projects, a “rough cut”) will be handed in to your advisor by 10 a.m.
• Mar. 24: Final versions of all Projects handed to the Academic Dean’s office, in Room 701, by 10 a.m. No changes are allowed after this deadline. This copy is ultimately filed in the library.

Note: These deadlines are strict and must be met. Your adviser may require additional deadlines and drafts.

Electives
6014y (3 credits)
All full-time M.S. students are required to take an elective for at least three credits at the graduate level in the spring term — either inside or outside the school. Most Journalism electives meet once a week for lectures and/or seminar discussions, and require reading as well as written assignments. Outside electives must be approved by the Dean of Students office.

For outside course information, please see: http://snipurl.com/1tn6z

The Electives (6014y)

Advanced Computer Assisted Reporting – Tom Torok
• Advanced Photojournalism - Sara Barrett
• Broadcast News Management - David McCormick and Lloyd Siegel
• Feature Writing A - Alexandra Peers
• Feature Writing B – Hugh Eakin
• Graphics in the Newsroom - Hannah Fairfield Wallander
• The International Newsroom – Ann Cooper
• Magazine Editing – Elizabeth Pochoda
• Narrative Writing A - Kevin Coyne
• Narrative Writing B – Jacob Levenson
• New Media Elective – Jennifer Brown & Jennifer Johnson
• News Editing – Nancy Sharkey
• Opinion Writing – Gwenda Blair
• Politics and the Press in America - Evan Cornog
• Radio Documentary – Alex Blumberg
• Sports Journalism – Sandy Padwe
• Stabile Investigative Techniques - J. Robert Port
• Tough Choices: Decision-Making in Journalism – Michael Shapiro
• History of American Journalism – Andie Tucher
• Covering Ideas – Alexander Stille
• 20th Century Politics, Revolution and Literary Journalism – Michael Janeway

Delacorte Evening Lecture Series
J6050y (1/2 credit)
Thursday 7pm - 8:30 p.m.
FT magazine concentrators are automatically enrolled in the Delacorte Magazine Lectures, to be offered Thursday evenings 7-8:30 p.m. from February 7 through April 24. All other students are invited to attend. Part-time students concentrating in magazine may elect to take the Lecture Series in spring 2008 or 2009.

InternshipJ6099y (1/2 credit, optional)
Internships must be pre-approved by the Office of Career Services and the Dean of Students office. A student who undertakes an internship at a media organization can earn an additional academic one-half credit if the work consists of serious journalistic enterprise. At the conclusion of the internship, the student must submit a written description of what he or she has accomplished and learned in the internship, and an official of the media company must send a separate letter corroborating that and evaluating the student’s performance.

SEE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AFTER THE JUMP.
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Prof. Michael Shapiro will be holding an information session on this exciting, new, spring elective:

DAY: Thursday
DATE: November 15
TIME: 12-1 p.m.
LOCATION: 607B

More information on the class is below. Questions to Prof. Shapiro at ms106@columbia.edu.

Decision-Making in Journalism (3-point spring elective)

A ponderous title for what might be better called The Boss Class. Students are put into the position of having to make decisions not only as reporters but as editors, station managers, publishers, in a word, bosses.

The approach is a novel one at the school – the Case Method. It works like this: students are given an actual, true life case, a narrative about an event in the life of a news gathering organization in which someone has to make a decision, or series of decisions, whose impact will be felt by employees, sources, subjects of stories and, in some instances, the industry. The case is the jumping off point for classroom discussion in search of a solution, an answer, a decision. Each narrative leads, inevitably, to a crossroads, a point at which a decision must be made – but which is not necessarily clear, and for which there is no “right” answer.

Does a cable news station, for instance, air a breaking story on an accusation of scandal, with nothing but a lawsuit to propel the story? What is the first step a newspaper editor should take when he decides that his newsroom must be revamped if it is to survive? Does a documentary film producer exclude footage that will alter the balance – and perhaps the thesis — in her piece?

Students will be expected to write memos each week, arguing for a particular decision. In addition, students will be expected to supplement the case-based arguments with additional reporting on the issues those cases raise.

The class will make use of on-line and multi-media components, in conjunction with CCNMTL.

Personal and Professional Style with Judith Crist

The nature and demands of this course make it necessary to limit the class size.

It is offered to students who have mastered the basic mechanics and techniques of journalistic prose and are interested in developing and refining a personal literary style within a journalistic framework, appropriate to editorials, columns and reviews.

There are basic assignments and free-choice exercises, with concentration on intra-group and self criticism, and good reporting. This class is not for the thin of skin!

Students must submit one sample of their best writing and, in no more than 350 words, a statement of their interest in the course. These are to be emailed in the body of the message to Dean Huff, at mgh2@columbia.edu, who must receive them by 5 p.m., Monday, November 12, 2007.

Dear Students:

A reminder about the Fall Academic Schedule.

Please be sure to check your schedules at least once a day on SSOL for a couple of weeks - days, rooms, times, etc., may have changed.

Highlights - when certain classes begin:
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From Dean Huff, Asst. Dean of Students

Students may request a change of classes during the Add/Drop period each semester. Please note that this is only a REQUEST and we cannot guarantee your request will be accommodated.

On each add/drop request form you may request to add one class AND drop one class.

It is possible for part-time students to only complete the “add” portion or the “drop” portion. M.A. students may complete just the “add” portion to request a skills class.

The add/drop request form will be available here as of 7 a.m. on Monday, August 27. Additional information on the add/drop request process is listed below. Please read it carefully before submitting a request form.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ADD/DROP REQUESTS:

The Add/Drop period Monday, August 27, at 7 a.m. to September 14, at 7 a.m.

Add/drop forms are processed on a first come, first served basis.

If your form is submitted correctly you will receive a request confirmation e-mail within 24 hours. Please remember to include the @columbia.edu after your UNI.

You will NOT receive an e-mail from our office saying that your request was granted or not granted.

To learn if your request was granted, you must keep checking your class schedule on the web using STUDENT SERVICES ONLINE. All requests remain on file during the add/drop period.

You do not need to submit multiple forms for the same Add/Drop request. If I am able to grant requests I do it as soon as possible but sometimes it takes days for a space to open in a class. Sometimes the space never opens up. In most cases, if you want to add a class I have to wait to see whether someone else wants to drop it. Please remember that you are submitting an add/drop REQUEST.

There is no guarantee that I will be able to approve your request. Until you see a change reflected on your class schedule on STUDENT SERVICES ONLINE, your request has not been approved.

I will NOT drop you from a required course unless I can get you into the course you have requested. If you have more than one preference, you may for a given course, in the notes section of the add/drop form, indicate so. Simply complete the add portion of the form with your first preference and in the notes section give me the same info about your second, third, etc., choices. You must include the call and course numbers if you indicate other preferences in the notes section.

Also, please be certain that you are not requesting a class that conflicts with any of your other classes.

And finally, remember that if you are requesting to add a course, you are also probably planning to drop a course. DON’T forget to request to drop the course and please do it on the same form you use to request a class.

The only way I will be able to approve most requests is by knowing which courses will be dropped by students. SAMPLE FORM BELOW (information is fictional)

Sample Form Below

Program/Contact Information (information below is fictional)

Your Name: SUSIE J-SCHOOLER

PID: C000213126

E-mail: sjs2009@columbia.edu

Phone: 917-123-4560

Program: FT Master of Science

Concentration: Newspaper (M.S. students only)

Stabile: No

Please enter the details of the course you would like to add: (information for completing this section is at the Directory of Classes - see instructions at the top of the add/drop form)

Class Number: J6001; Section Number: 20; Call Number: 81350

Title: Reporting and Writing I

Please enter the details of the course you would like to drop: (information for completing this section is at the Directory of Classes - see instructions at the top of the add/drop form)

Class Number: J6001; Section Number: 16; Call Number: 72241

Title: Reporting and Writing I

http://fs8.formsite.com/cjdos/AddDrop
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From Dean of Students

Monday, Aug. 20, 2007: M.S. Students - magazine, newspaper, broadcast, new media (not everyone made it to the shoot; but everyone will be there when we take the graduation version of this, Tuesday, May. 20, 2007

Click here to see and download full-size version + see all photos in this album.

Please note, this memo is for PT students taking the Master’s Project during Summer 2007 only.

FROM: Dean Klatell

RE: M.S. Summer Master’s Projects, September 2007

Unless you have received a formal extension from your faculty adviser and the Dean of Students Office, the deadline for submitting your Master’s Project is Friday, September 7, at 10 a.m. All projects should be submitted to the Dean’s Suite, 701, on the 7th floor. You will be required to sign your name on the Master’s Project submission log (at the reception desk outside of Dean Klatell’s office) when you turn in your final project.

For those of you with an early deadline or who wish to submit your final project early, the Dean’s Office will begin accepting final Master’s Project submissions as of 9 a.m., Monday, August 20.

Your submitted project must conform to the following requirements, so follow these instructions carefully:

1. You must write a first-person narrative of how you discovered, researched and reported your story. This will help future students see what goes into the making of a successful master’s project. This “P.S.” should be included with all copies of your Project, and should run no longer than 1,000 words. If confidentiality is a concern, before submitting the library copy, your narrative may be redacted or disguised to conceal specific, identifying information about individuals. For example, you may use “my main character” or “the protagonist” (or similar) instead of someone’s name. Include a copy of this narrative with all copies. If confidentiality is a concern and the above suggestion does not work, then withhold the “P.S.” from the library copy.
Note: the true identity and contact information for all of your sources must be disclosed to your adviser and included on the source list that you submit to your adviser.

2. Print three copies of your manuscript, or a verbatim broadcast script, double-spaced on one side of white paper, leaving a 1½- inch margin on the left-hand side and a 1-inch margin on all other sides. Do not use photographic paper as it does not meet preservation guidelines for library materials. Projects submitted on photo paper will be returned to the author in exchange for a plain-paper copy.

3. You should submit a complete source list for your project. If you are not certain about the best way to cite a source, consult with your adviser. Be aware that source lists and your entire project, including the “P.S.” portion, will be available for reading and copying by all Journalism School library visitors. (Columbia University Libraries does not provide copies of master’s projects or theses via its interlibrary loan service.) As noted above, if you have confidentiality concerns with sources (i.e. names, phone numbers, personal addresses, etc.), you are responsible for removing the source list from the library copy.

4. Pages must be numbered. Do not put any sort of binding on the project, and do not staple the pages.

5. Include a separate title page with the following information: Your name, class year, the title of your project, the name of your master’s adviser, and, at the bottom of the page, add:

Copyright
(Name of Student)
(Year)

6. Put each copy in a new 9 x 11 ½ envelope. Label the front of each envelope with your name, your class year, the title of your project and the name of your adviser for the Master’s Project. Please be certain to clearly label the library copy.

7. Submit in all three copies to the Dean’s Suite (701) on the 7th floor. One copy will be returned to you with your instructor’s comments; another copy will be reserved for the library, and the third copy will be kept by your adviser .

Students submitting a Broadcast Project should include:

• Two copies of your script
• Two copies of your project on DVD, plus a videotape copy if your adviser requests one.
  The Technical Staff can assist you in making the DVDs from the final, edited tape. Be sure to give them plenty of advance notice if you need their assistance. For all Projects on audio tape, CD or DVD: please make two copies, labeling all DVDs, tapes, and accompanying materials with complete project information (author(s), title, adviser).

Students submitting a New Media project should include:

• A cover page with your names, topic and URL, and a copyright statement.
• A printout of each of your individual pages (even if some go beyond the margins).
• A printed essay about how you approached your story, with tips for future students. In most cases, your “about us” should suffice (print it out separately if it does work as the “P.S.” described above).
  The library cannot store computer disks, and does not have the facilities for viewing their contents. A hyperlink will be made from the Masters Project Index web page to the project itself.

8. If you are submitting your master’s project earlier than the deadline, you must still submit all copies to the Dean’s Office. You must also inform your adviser of the date you submitted the project.

9. Keep a copy of your project for yourself. Neither the Journalism School nor the Journalism Library is able to provide on-demand copies of your work. You are expected to keep usable copies of your Master’s project for future reference. For print projects and transcripts, a hard copy is the best option.

Please note, the Dean’s Suite is closed from Friday at 5 p.m. till Monday at 9 a.m. If you cannot come to the school during business hours, you may mail your three copies to: Melanie Huff, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, 2950 Broadway, Room 703, New York, NY 10027. Please note that they must arrive by Friday, September 7

***

The deadline to submit a course preference ballot for Fall 2007 has passed.

Full-time M.S. students who missed the deadline will be placed in classes on a space available basis. They may attempt to change these classes via the add/drop process that begins on Monday August 27, 10 a.m.

Part-time and M.A. (skills only) who missed the deadline will be placed in classes via the add/drop process only.