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

Greetings from Alice!

Congratulations on finishing the semester! As the end of the academic year approaches, you may have questions about the programs and services available to you over the summer. If you’re graduating, you may want to know which resources are available for you as a new alum. Check out the information and resources below for answers:!

Alice! Health Promotion is here for you year round!
Whether you’re coming back next fall or are a new alum, you can continue to access great programs like CU Move (stay up-to-date with physical activity tips and tools), A!sleep (take a sleep assessment to improve your Zzzzzzs), and Go Ask Alice! (find answers to life’s persistent questions). Did you know we are on Facebook? That’s right, you can be friends with Alice At Columbia, a fan of CU Move, Stressbusters, and Go Ask Alice! Let’s stay in touch, shall we?!

Medical Services and Counseling over the summer
Medical Services and Counseling and Psychological Services remain open over the summer. Summer hours may shift. Check out the Columbia Health website for up-to-date hours.!

Helpful Resources:
Alice! Health Promotion
Columbia Health
Student Insurance

Related Q&As from Go Ask Alice!
Immunizations needed for travel abroad?
Looming student loans = emotional distress!
Health insurance options after college
After graduation, how do I find a doctor?< br>
Scared about graduation
Love + graduation = anxiety!

Congratulations to those of you who are completing your studies this term! Have a great summer!!

Alice! Health Promotion Programbr>
108 Wien Hall
alice@columbia.edu!

Check these out for updates and information about Columbia University Commencement:

Twitter: @CUCommencement

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbia-University-Commencement/142637315790712

Website: http://www.columbia.edu/content/commencement-week.html

App: http://m.commencement.columbia.edu/

Journalism School meeting point (section 12): http://www.columbia.edu/files/columbia/content/degree_candidate_line_up.pdf

Students, some jobs for your consideration:

1. The Atlantic Wire is hiring ASAP for two positions:
Night editor: A great stepping stone gig with high visibility and freedom, this is a slot for the curious news hound who can run The Atlantic Wire from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. EST, Sunday through Thursday nights. Responsible for 4 breaking news posts per night, across all areas of interest — global, national, politics, culture, tech, and beyond. High curiosity, intellectual honesty, and social savvy are musts. Good example of what the shift looks like here, from our dearly departing Adam Clark Estes: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/authors/adam-clark-estes/

Late-night editor: Good for a true night owl, or anyone on the West Coast or further that-a-way. Responsible for 4 breaking news posts per night, 11 p.m.-3 a.m. EST, Sunday thru Thursday nights. Interest in international news and cable news/media is ideal.

Candidates for these positions should already have breaking news/hard news experience, and previous wire experience would be a plus. To apply, send a cover letter email with links to your online portfolio to Matt Sullivan, Deputy Editor, The Atlantic Wire, at mattsullivan123@gmail.com.

2. Editor, Santa Fe Reporter
The award-winning Santa Fe Reporter seeks an editor-in-chief who’s innovative, irascible and crazy enough to chase the stories no one else will. About us: The Reporter has built a legacy on exposing corruption and routinely excelling at both serious investigative reporting and incisive arts and culture coverage. With a young, enthusiastic, talented staff of full-timers and freelancers, we’re the beating heart of an artistically rich city that can be at once gorgeous and gritty, creative and critical, and anything but ordinary. We piss off public officials, and we win awards. About you: Ideally, you have several years of reporting and editing experience in both news and culture. You’re as comfortable editing a video as you are writing a great headline, managing a budget, dreaming up a new special issue, penning the occasional cover story and enforcing deadlines. You’re a social-media maven who’s good with commas; you’re a news junkie with an eye for great design. You’re driven and self-directed, but most of all, you have a deep passion for journalism’s critical role in a free society. If interested, please send a cover letter, resume and 2-3 clips to current editor Alexa Schirtzinger, J-’08, at editor@sfreporter.com. No phone calls, please.

3. Federal News Radio in Washington, D.C. has a couple of jobs open: One is a full-time digital reporter position; hours will probably be 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. The other two openings are freelance. One is as a digital reporter, the other is as a radio show producer. Inside scoop: We’ve got a small staff and freelance positions usually lead to steady gigs either here or upstairs at the local news station WTOP. The point person is our program director Lisa Wolfe, lwolfe@federalnewsradio.com. You can apply here: http://www.federalnewsradio.com/careers. This lead thanks to Emily Kopp J-’01. (Morning co-host at FNR). Emily is happy to field questions from J-Schoolers about these positions.

4. CBS Local Radio in NYC
This lead comes to us thanks to Erik Parker, MA-Politics, 2010, who is off to make his own documentary. Erik is willing to advise J-School applicants. parkererikg@gmail.com. http://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=986a5938897dde34&q=digital+music&l=10001&tk=17o8qfkvp069g0e1&from=ja&alid=595482c1b5d6abb1&utm_source=jobseeker_emails&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=job_alerts

Inside Scoop from Erik: “While this description asks for someone with 5-plus years, I think they are going to step it down to Associate Producer, which means people with much less experience can apply. They do want someone who knows the “urban” (read: hip-hop/R&B) world and has written about the genre. There is also an element of video production that goes into the job but it is primarily a job for a writer who has experience in the urban realm. If anyone from the J-School wishes to apply they should do so soon at the above link. Look at the stories on this page for homework, if you apply.
http://news.radio.com. Also, check out the video on this page for more familiarity:
http://radio.com/shows/

Radio.com is the main destination for the music content of CBS Local, the content produced by the music team is syndicated across all CBS Local online platforms. That includes radio station sites. For the CBS-urban radio station sites, you should familiarize yourself with this one: http://v103.cbslocal.com/

Specific advice on how to write a thank-you note after the Career Expo is on the site: Thank-You Notes. You should write notes to everybody you met that you are interested in. Also, just because an employer promised to get in touch sometime this week does not mean you should wait for that call or email before you send your thank-you note. It’s more than okay to be the first to reach out and follow-up.

Also, if you already have a job but did not make that clear at the Expo, or if you just got an offer today and have accepted it, you must let employers know. Put it in your thank-note. Say something like “This is to let you know that I have accepted an internship at the Associated Press and will be going to Jerusalem in the summer. I would very much like to keep in touch over the next several months because I am very interested in any opportunities you might have in the fall or beyond….”

Recruiter email contact information is now visible to you on the 2013 Company Profiles and will remain available to you until next year when we replace it with company profiles for the next Career Expo.

Other bits and pieces: If you are contacted by an employer for a follow-up, don’t forget to prepare! On Saturday, many of the employers were in a jovial, meet-and-greet kind of mood. However, if you are invited to a newsroom for further conversations, it likely will be more formal and require more preparation. The news question is a popular one – “what are the top three stories we ought to have on our site today?” Prepare your clip package again just in case it’s been misplaced or damaged. Practice your answers to popular questions. Dress to impress. Arrive five minutes early.

Good luck and remember, Career Services is here to guide you along if you need help.

Spring break has arrived and you are probably eager to have fun, relax, and enjoy some time off from your academic studies. In honor of spring break, make sure to make your way over to the Alice! Health Promotion office to pick up a pair of (the very popular) Go Ask Alice! sunglasses. We also wanted to provide you with some tips to have fun, relax, and be safe while on spring break:

• Get plenty of rest to recharge your batteries.
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and other “fun in the sun” accessories.
• Bring a good book/magazine/eReader with which to relax.
• If consuming alcohol, make sure to eat before and/or during drinking, alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, keep track of the number of drinks you’ve had, and be aware of local laws and ordinances if you travel.
• Don’t forget the camera to capture the memories.
• Enjoy quality time with great friends.
• Challenge yourself by finding new and creative ways to keep moving over spring break. If headed to a beach destination, take a long walk, swim, or rent a bicycle. If taking an end of the season ski trip, give cross country a try.
• Include family or old friends in your activities if you are headed home.
• If you’re staying in town, take advantage of the warmer weather with a trip to Central Park or a walk through a new neighborhood, or check out the opportunities at Dodge Fitness Center.

Related Q&As from Go Ask Alice!

• Immunizations needed for travel abroad?
• Hangover helper — and tips for healthy drinking
• Fun without drugs?
• Free fun in New York City?
• Shining light on sun protection products

Did you know?
Did you know that Alice! sponsors the Stressbusters program? Every Wednesday during the semester you can drop into the Wien Hall Lounge from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a stress break and receive a brief neck and back rub. Check out the Calendar and the Stressbusters website for more information.

Helpful Resources
Alice! Health Promotion
Columbia Health

We wish you a fun, relaxing, and safe spring break!

Alice! Health Promotion
108 Wien Hall
alice@columbia.edu

Columbia University’s Department of Public Safety has compiled some useful crime prevention Spring Break tips:

It is imperative that students exercise caution, especially when traveling abroad for Spring Break. Concerns over post-election violence in Kenya and the continuous possibility of political and social unrest in Egypt have prompted the State Department to issue Travel Alerts for those countries. Note that Travel Alerts are issued when short-term conditions pose a significant risk to the safety and security of U.S. citizens. Travel Warnings are issued to advise Americans to avoid travel to countries where long-term, protracted conditions make a country dangerous or unstable. Several countries meet that criteria, including Mexico, a popular spring break destination. And while resorts and tourist destinations generally do not see the level of violent crime that plagues border region cities and states such as Tijuana, Ciudad de Juarez, and Nuevo Leon, you should be aware that incidents of crime and violence can occur anywhere.

The Columbia University Public Safety Department urges students to do diligent research before venturing out of the country. Following a few simple safety precautions can help make your Spring Break adventure a more enjoyable experience. (Check out the U.S. Department of State’s website listed below. You can find valuable information, such as what to do if you are the victim of a crime or lose your passport. You can also sign up to receive Travel Alerts via Facebook and Twitter).

Before leaving:

• Secure your dorm room or apartment.
• Unplug all appliances.
• Make sure all windows are closed and locked.
• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone back home.

Use the buddy system:

There is safety in numbers and it is best to do things as a group. Try to have at least three members of your group with you at all times when leaving your hotel. Don’t leave a friend behind. If you go out together, come home together!

Traveling:

• If traveling abroad, check the U.S. State Department’s Travel Alerts and Warnings at: www.travel.state.gov
• Conduct an Internet search of the local Newspapers / Crime Stats / Trends of the area you will be visiting.
• Respect your host country and its people by following their laws and customs.
• Practice the country’s language ahead of time. Bring a Language dictionary to help.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Prepaid Travel Money Cards are best.
• Leave credit cards and ATM cards locked in a secure place.
• Keep track of your baggage and personal belongings at all times.

Drinking:

If you are of legal drinking age and you do decide to drink, do so responsibly. Reports indicate that 98-percent of spring breakers who suffered injuries were intoxicated at the time. Note also that drinking to intoxication leaves a person more susceptible to becoming the victim of a sexual assault or other serious crime.

• Keep your drink in sight at all times. If you must leave an unfinished drink to go to the bathroom or dance floor, discard it and purchase a new one when you return. Leaving a drink unattended gives anyone (including bar personnel) the opportunity to tamper with it.
• DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Use a designated driver or choose public transportation.
• The most important spring break safety tip we can give you is to ask you to use common sense. Trust your instincts; if someone, or someplace, doesn’t feel right to you, chances are it isn’t.

With these safety tips in mind, stay safe, and enjoy your sun-filled spring break! Please see short video on a special report from CNN on Spring Break: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UhzYX9ubZQ

To coincide with the National Sleep Foundation’s annual week-long campaign to celebrate the health benefits of sleep March 3-10, 2013, Alice! is sharing advice on sleep:

At Alice! we understand the stresses and pressures associated with this busy time in the semester as well as the upcoming Spring Break festivities that many of you are planning. One of the most healthful ways to maximize relaxation and fun during Spring Break is to ensure that you maintain healthy sleep habits.

Sleep has many positive effects on health, well-being, and even your vacation….

Sleep:

• Promotes memory consolidation of what you study
• Effects processing speed so that you can learn faster
• Makes you feel refreshed and ready for work or exams
• Boosts immune health
• Helps maintain energy balance, so you can fully enjoy time off from school
• Promotes positive coping with stress
• Improves athletic performance by enhancing motor skills
• May help you to pay attention in class
• Is a cheap, easy way to look and feel better!

Did you know that Alice! has a website dedicated to sleep?

The A!sleep website provides you with the opportunity to take a free on-line sleep assessment, which offers both tips on healthy sleep habits and instant personalized feedback on your sleep behaviors.

Also, we have updated our Resources to better provide you with the tools you need to manage your sleep routine.

Take a look at the Sleep Q&A archive from Go Ask Alice! for more information!

Enjoy Spring Break and good luck with the rest of the semester!

Sleep well,

Alice!

Dear students,

LyndaCampus is now available to all JSchool faculty, staff and students through a joint agreement with several other schools in the University. LyndaCampus is an educational variant of our previously negotiated Lynda.com offerings which is home to over 500 self-paced instructional training videos and tutorials on a wide range of skill topics from beginner to advanced /refresher courses.

Examples of topics include Adobe’s Creative Suite titles, Microsoft Office, Final Cut Pro, Mac OSX, web programming, data mining, analysis and reporting etc.

To access the site, go to: http://bit.ly/CUJLynda and log in with your Columbia UNI & password.

Jeff Sieben
jsieben@columbia.edu

You have been invited to an informal talk with Keith Hall, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics

When: Friday, December 16, 2012 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Stabile Student Center, Journalism School

The BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics, operating over two dozen surveys and programs that measure employment and unemployment, compensation, worker safety, productivity, and consumer and producer price movements.

Dr. Hall has over 20 years of federal service with the Department of the Treasury, the International Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, the Executive Office of the President and BLS. Most recently, he served as Chief Economist for the White House Council of Economic Advisers where he analyzed a broad range of fiscal, regulatory and macroeconomic policies and directed a team that monitored the state of the economy and developed economic forecasts. Dr. Hall also served as the Chief Economist for the U.S. Department of Commerce for four years. In that role, he was the principal economic advisor to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, and served as a special adviser to the Secretary of Commerce and as a member of the Secretary’s principal management team.

For more information on Keith Hall and the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/bls/commissionerscorner.htm

Dear Public Safety Friends,

Please see the latest issue of Public Safety’s Crime Prevention News October - November 2011. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/publicsafety/CPNewsCurrent.pdf

In this edition:

* Smart phone APPs for getting around NYC by subway and bus.
* New Morningside evening shuttle bus.
* Theft of Unattended Property Number ONE reported crime on campus.
* New smart Phone APPS that can help the Police locate your lost / stolen phone.

Crime Prevention News can also be viewed on the CU Public Safety website:
www.columbia.edu/cu/publicsafety

Thank you,

Ricardo Morales
Columbia University
Department of Public Safety
Manager Crime Prevention Programs
Crime Prevention Specialist
212-854-8513
www.columbia.edu/cu/publicsafety
Pride-Professionalism-Service

Dear JSchool Community,

A reminder that CUIT has implemented a secure variant of its wireless
network here on campus.

Should I use the new secure network?
I strongly recommend it. While CU’s open network “Columbia University” is
managed the secure variant “Columbia U Secure” adds protection to ensure
your browsing sessions and data are as secure as possible.

CUIT Announcement:
http://www.columbia.edu/cuit/newsletter/general/wirelessnetwork.html

The new network adds increased security for data and email for all
Morningside students, faculty and staff. It provides encryption for all
online interactions that are not otherwise encrypted.

Currently, only those transactions that are protected by other means of SSL
authentication, such as SSOL or PAC logins, are encrypted. Columbia U Secure
wireless means that all data, including that which is currently not
encrypted, will be sent over a secure connection to the wireless access
point. This means any general web browsing (HTTP), instant messaging or
similar messages sent via the authenticated network will be protected
against potential wireless eavesdroppers. The Columbia U Secure network also
eliminates the need to use the VPN while on campus in order to access
Columbia administrative resources.

To use the new network:

· Visit the Wireless Client Configuration Site to download the
configuration client (http://www.columbia.edu/acis/software/xpc/)
· Follow the step-by-step instructions in the configuration wizard

· From campus wireless access points, you will now be able to log
in to Columbia U Secure.
· Following operating systems and/or devices are supported:
o Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista and 7)
o Mac OSX (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard)
o Ubuntu Linux (9.04, 9.10, 10.04, 10.10)
o Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad)

Campus visitors will still be able to access the current un-authenticated
Columbia University wireless network.

Please direct all questions to CUIT in regards to their secure network by
means of their direct help line: 212.854.1919 or via email:
askcuit@columbia.edu.

Dear Public Safety Friends,

CU Public Safety will be registering Bikes with the NYPD & CU Public Safety, this Wednesday July 13th from 11AM-2PM on Low Plaza. (Front of the Alma Mater)

Bicycles registered, will be marked with a unique identification number using an engraver. An NYPD decal is affixed to the bicycle, which is difficult to remove. In the event that it is removed, the word “void” appears on what remains of the decal. In the event that the bicycle is stolen and recovered, it can be traced back to the owner through I.D. number, nationwide. Also available discount Kryptonite Bike Locks and just added the On Guard “Pitbull & Rottweiler” Locks.

Public Safety will also be engraving & registering laptops, I-Pads, cell phones, etc. Operation ID is a great tool in the recovery of property & makes it difficult for a thief to sell.
For more information on Bike registration, Operation ID & discount bike locks, please call 212-854-8513, Crime Prevention.

Hope you can make it.

Ricardo Morales
Manager Crime Prevention Programs
Columbia University Public Safety
212-854-8513 Fax 212-932-0798
www.columbia.edu/cu/publicsafety

Dear Students,
Now that we are in the full swing of the second semester, I want to remind you of all the terrific services Columbia has to address your health and emotional needs. The list below includes everything from back rubs to couseling!

Also, please note that Deans Sreenivasan and Huff are also available to meet with you about concerns you may have.

Alice! Health Promotion Program connects students with information and resources, and supports healthy attitudes and behaviors within the campus community.

• Health Questions: http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/
• Stress Management: http://health.columbia.edu/services/alice/stress-management
• Back Rubs: http://health.columbia.edu/services/alice/stressbusters
• Getting More Sleep: http://sleep.health.columbia.edu/
• Sexual and Reproductive Health: http://health.columbia.edu/services/alice/sexual-health
• Excercise Tips and Tools: http://health.columbia.edu/services/alice/cumove#exercise_tips
• Alcohol and Other Drugs: http://health.columbia.edu/topics/alcohol-other-drugs/alcohol

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) offers short-term individual counseling, couples counseling, student life support groups and medication consultation.

Office of Disability Services (ODS) coordinates reasonable accommodations and support services including assistive technology, networking groups, academic skills workshops and learning specialists.

Primary Care Medical Services (PCMS) provides routine and urgent medical care, as well as sexual health, reproductive and gynecological services, travel medicine, LGBTQ healthcare, confidential HIV testing and immunizations.

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program (SVPRP) supports students in healing from sexual and relationship violence, as well as educates students about consent and coercion to promote a respectful and safe campus

The Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP) volunteers are trained to address a broad range of issues pertaining to sexual and emotional health. They offer workshops on HIV transmission and risk reduction; other STIs, and the physical and emotional health of the LGBTQ community. Contact them at http://health.columbia.edu/contact-us#Contact_GHAP

OFFER: Office hours for the Digital Media Fellows + other resources

Folks: please make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to work with our DM Fellows this semester. A description of what they offer - along with several other resources is below. All questions to dmfellows@jrn.columbia.edu

The DM Fellows have office hours by appointment each weekday during Spring Semester (1/25-5/14) at the following days/times:

Monday:
• 10-5 Open Lab in 501a
  10-1 Alan by appt
  1-6 Michele by appt

• Tuesday:
  2-6 Michele by appt

• Wednesday:
  1-5 Meredith by appt
  5-8 Alan by appt

• Thursday:
  1-5 Kenan by appt

• Friday:
  10-1 Meredith by appt
  

  Email dmfellows@jrn.columbia.edu no later than the day before to schedule an appointment.

  There is a calendar showing available timeslots here:
  http://bit.ly/dmfellows-cal

  Also please be considerate of your fellow students and let us know as far ahead of time as possible if you need to cancel or change an appointment.

  Finally, remember that there are many helpful guides and how-tos at http://bit.ly/dm-tips

  And that the DM Fellows have a tutorials site at digitaltutorials.jrn.columbia.edu

  Annd for even more tutorials, you can head to http://www.lynda.com/portal/columbiaand log in with your Columbia ID for access to a ton of in-depth tutorials.

  As always, if you have questions, please email us.

  Thanks,

  - DM Fellows -
  dmfellows@jrn.columbia.edu

Dear Students:

I suspect some of you, like me, have been caught off guard by the cold and find yourself in sudden need of warm accessories.

Here are some stores close to campus recommended by staff & faculty:

Sree Sreenivasan:
The only store I know close to the campus is Paul’s Shoe Repair (don’t ask!), on Broadway between 112th St & 111th St. It’s a tiny store that sells hats, gloves, scarves, etc. I just returned from a quick trip there with a woolish hat ($5) and gloves ($8)
Hours: 8:30 am-6 pm, I believe. Phone: 212-865-3508

Sue Radmer:
-Liberty House, a women’s clothing store, for more stylish &
colorful accessories.
-A sidewalk vendor outside Liberty (though I’m a traitor to both
Liberty and Paul’s for mentioning this).
PS — the repair guy at Paul’s is a wizard.

Ruth Padawer:
You might also recommend Housing Works, a non-profit nice-quality used-clothing store
on Columbus Ave between 74th and 75th (and in dozens of other
locations around the city) that uses its proceeds to fight AIDS and
homelessness. You can get great, cheap stuff there, and help others while doing so.

Speaking at my workshop on web tools, BusinessWeek columnist Arik Hesseldahl, J’97, praised Evernote as a useful note-taking tool for journalists. Turns out, it’s #1 on this list from Mashable.com of 15 Essential Web Tools for Students:

For much of the world, it’s that special time of the year when students head back to school. The good news for students is that even though that means waking up early and doing homework, there are a number of web-based and social tools to help you get through the school year. From staying organized to improving study habits to making sure you reference your research sources properly, the web can help you be a better student.

See the full list.

- Dean Sreenivasan

http://www.columbia.edu/acis/faq/239.html

Alum Sitara Nieves wrote an excellent primer on how to use RSS to read this and other blogs. You can access is here:
http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/2006/09/08/blogs-rss/

Dear Students:

The New York Times is offering home or campus delivery of their newspaper to students at a steep discount.
If you are interested, click on the link below.

http://snurl.com/3i2ok

All you have to do is create an account, select your delivery option, the subscription that best suits your needs, and enter your payment method.

Hope you all take advantage of this generous offer.

The Daily Plan-it asked recent alumni to share tips about preparing for the school. Responses (some of them contradicting each other, some of them repetitive, many not endorsed by the J-school) are continuing to trickle in and will be added here throughout the semester, lightly edited for clarity. You’ll find them below, with the latest ones being added to the top.
Send us your tips to ss221@columbia.edu (subject line = school tips)

“In the months BEFORE school, I wish I had…
(more…)

TECH JAM SESSIONS: Learn a technology in 20 minutes with Sree Sreenivasan

ALL LEVELS OF EXPERTISE WELCOME, NO RSVP.

Topics to come: Google Docs & other collaborative software; avoiding RSI and other computer-related injuries; your topic here.
(more…)

Hassan M. Fattah, NYT Middle East correspondent based in Dubai, talks to Columbia J-school Students. He graduated from the school in May 2000. This is just one minute from a 45-minute talk he gave on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007. In the background, you see two of the things that he says are critical for all foreign correspondents to have at all times: a pencil (not a pen, a pencil) and a Nokia phone (in other countries, you can always find someone nearby who has a Nokia charger). Hassan’s bio is below.

Publish your comments below.

ABOUT HASSAN FATTAH
Hassan M. Fattah is the Middle East Correspondent for the New York Times,
based in Dubai. He is responsible for covering the entire region outside
Iraq and Israel/Palestine.

In 2003, he co-founded Iraq Today, an English-language weekly newspaper
written and edited by Iraqis, turning the venture into an internationally
recognized publication before its closure a year later due to security
concerns. In 2004, Mr. Fattah helped found Aswat Al Iraq, Iraq.s first
independent, non-governmental news exchange, funded by the United Nations
and focused on developing a new generation of Iraqi journalists.

He has served as a correspondent for Time, and at various times has been a
regular contributor to the Economist, Prospect Magazine and the New
Republic, among other international publications.

Born in Beirut Lebanon to Iraqi parents, Mr. Fattah was raised between
Lebanon, Jordan and the U.S. He holds a B.S. in Engineering from the
University of California at Berkeley and a Masters in Science from the
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Below you will find Prof. Sig Gissler’s annual guide, “Safety Suggestions For Students/Reporters.” Written in his inimitable style, the guide is a useful document for our students (and any new reporters) as they navigate the city. During orientation, we receive a formal presentation from the University’s security operation, but our students, of course, get to know the city in very different ways than the typical CU student. Several students from previous years have praised this document each time it’s been handed out. The idea isn’t to scare you about New York City, but to offer practical, common sense (though not necessarily common knowledge) tips.

Please make sure you discuss this with your RWI professor after you read it - he/she might have amplifications and additional tips.

SAFETY SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENTS/REPORTERS
- Compiled by Prof. Sig Gissler, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism

How to navigate neighborhoods
* If possible, begin with a briefing at the police precinct and community board.
Ask not only about crime but also about cultural customs that can affect how
well or poorly you will relate to residents.
* Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don’t day dream.
* Before whipping out a notebook on the street, get a general “feel” of
the place. Walk around, look around.
* Keep your valuables at home. Take only what you can afford to lose.
But carry some identification.
* Try to stay on the main streets where people cluster. Be careful of
deserted streets or areas (at least until you know the neighborhood).
* Look for safe places to interview people, such as under store awnings
or in bus-stop shelters or churches.
* If the neighborhood is dangerous, avoid being on the street at night,
especially in deserted, poorly lit areas.
* Don’t hesitate to take a taxi to a safe subway stop.
* Regularly share reporting experiences in your seminar. Learn from each other.

The craft of reporting
* Approach people with a confident, friendly manner. Don’t look fearful
(it can convey disrespect). Don’t look like a victim (it can invite trouble).
* Project genuine interest. Let your humanity show. Talk about some
personal things. Practice striking up conversations with people
everywhere (elevators, subway platforms, etc.).
* Dress in casual, comfortable clothes (don’t “dress down” or “up”).
* Let people get comfortable before jotting down notes. Try some small
talk. Don’t rush. Slide into the relationship.
* If people recoil from a question, ease off and loop back later.
* If a language barrier arises, seek help, most likely from younger people.
* After sizing them up, ask strangers for help. They’ll often oblige.
* Trust your gut. If a situation feels creepy, it probably is. Back off.

Any recurring booboos?
* Don’t wander too far off the beaten track, especially after sundown.
* Don’t explore without a good map. You can easily end up in the wrong
place at the wrong time.
* Avoid the subway after midnight, especially out in the boroughs.
* Be careful about getting into cars with people you don’t really know.
* Don’t travel without quarters (for pay phone) or MetroCard (for mass transit).
* Don’t get cocky or complacent. Just because New York isn’t as menacing
as you might have imagined, stay alert.
* Oh, yes. Don’t forget to eat a good breakfast.

-30-

The London Times has an article about using the Internet to learn foreign languages. From Parlez-vous l’internet?
The web, with its interactive capabilities, is becoming one of the best ways to learn a language by Matthew Wall:

…try the superb, well-resourced BBC Languages website (www.bbc.co.uk/languages) instead, with its video clips, audio magazines and grammar tips. There are vocabulary quizzes to assess your standard and some basic phrases to download onto your MP3 player.

Post your thoughts below, please.

I will occasionally post to this blog useful video clips I find across the Internet. One place to find good clips is VideoJug.com, which covers lots of useful aspects of life, including technology & gadgets, where I found this item on shortscuts for Word (the link has additional information).

VideoJug: How To Use Shortcuts For Microsoft Word

Student Andrew Tangel asked us to share with you the following info.

To keep track of Columbia-related news, here are a couple of ideas:

Create an RSS feed of official Columbia University news:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/rsshowto.html

Create a Google Alert - http://www.google.com/alerts - using keywords such
as “Columbia Journalism School”

[ If RSS feeds are new to you, please read this tip on how to use RSS feeds by Sitara Nieves, J2007:
http://deanstudents.blogsome.com/2006/09/08/blogs-rss/ ]

If you want to track crime stats near campus:

Morningside Heights: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pdf/chfdept/cs026pct.pdf

Harlem: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pdf/chfdept/cs030pct.pdf

Washington Heights: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pdf/chfdept/cs033pct.pdf

Upper Manhattan: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/pdf/chfdept/cs034pct.pdf

Here’s where you can find the NYPD precinct boundaries: http://www.n2nov.net/

NYPD crime stats by precinct: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pct/cspdf.html

Transcript of M.A. Program Chat
with Dean Evan Cornog
Wednesday, July 25, 2007

[ See full list of transcripts and chats ]

DeanCornog(P) Go ahead–fire away.

lmf2125(Q) Hi! Is there such a thing as an MA for broadcast?
DeanCornog(A) The curriculum is platform-neutral, and you are welcome, indeed encouraged, to do a broadcast thesis. But the actual instruction in the courses is not geared to any particular medium.
(more…)

Chat for International Students
Q&A with Prof. Josh Friedman
Thurday, July 19, 2007

[ See other chats and transcripts ]

JFriedman(P) This is Josh Friedman. I will be speaking to you today with Dragon NaturallySpeaking This is a voice dictation program so you may see some weird mistakes that don’t make sense. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out what I’m trying to say. Otherwise, just ask and I’ll clarify what I’m saying.
(more…)

Transcript of DOS Chat
July 17, 2007
Speakers: Deans Sreenivasan & Huff

{90 questions in 60 minutes!}

[ See other chats and transcripts ]

DeanSree(P) We will start in about 20 minutes… Submit your questions.
While we are waiting to begin, do make sure you are on these resources:
(more…)

Transcript of PT Chat, focusing on issues of interest to PT Students
July 17, 2007
Speakers: Deans Huff & Sreenivasan
{43 questions in 60 minutes}

[ See other chats and transcripts ]

DeanSree(P) We will get started in a few minutes. Please send your
questions.

jvilaga(Q) I want to take two seminars instead of a seminar and a
workshop. I heard this was possible, so whom do I speak with? How unusual
is this?
DeanHuff(A) Hi All, It is quite common for part-timers to do this. Just
drop a line to dos@jrn.columbia.edu telling us why and then complete your
ballot accordingly.
(more…)