It's the end of the semester, the end of Advanced News Writing, and the end of this blog as well. Over the few months that we've been writing these, we've covered more topics than I even thought possible. I've written about everything from Wittenberg's financial crisis to my opinion on the annoyingly loud drunks from across the street, and everything in between. Along with the stories I've written, I like to think that I got quite a bit done this semester.
The Beginning Journalism class that I'd take my Freshman year was sort of the "fun" intro into journalism, but Advanced News Writing really did a good job of telling me what this profession is all about. I know I've said it before, but I don't want to be a Journalist. I want to be an editor. But taking this class has given me so much respect for the art of journalism. It's hard, it takes dedication, and it takes dealing with alot of bullshit to get that end-result in the form of a decent story. So to everyone out there who actually has the passion for this thing, I am extremely impressed. I've enjoyed the learning experience and I've enjoyed having this blog.
-Fran
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Thanksgiving Catch-Up
(Since I forgot to do one over break. Whoops!)
I think most Witt students, including myself, would agree that Thanksgiving Break is a much needed pause in the intense work load that classes drop on their students. It's not exactly Christmas break, but it does give us a chance to catch our breath before diving into the deep, torrential abyss that is finals. It's both a time to forget about school and to enjoy time with our families. And a time to eat delicious food as well.
However, some professors don't seem to want to grant their students this luxury. Kappa Delta sister, Megan Smith, said that she had a 6 page paper assigned over break. Other members of the sorority shared similar stories, saying that the assignments they were given were scheduled (and expected) to be done before students returned for their final weeks of class. When asked why she thought professors did this, she said that just assumed that her professor wanted to "ruin her life".
Personally, I didn't have to face this problem over break. And in my opinion, no-one else should have to either. It's bad enough that some professors seek to assign a final project on top of a final exam within days of each other, but for the love of gods! At least give us this one, if not brief, chance to relax.
-Fran
I think most Witt students, including myself, would agree that Thanksgiving Break is a much needed pause in the intense work load that classes drop on their students. It's not exactly Christmas break, but it does give us a chance to catch our breath before diving into the deep, torrential abyss that is finals. It's both a time to forget about school and to enjoy time with our families. And a time to eat delicious food as well.
However, some professors don't seem to want to grant their students this luxury. Kappa Delta sister, Megan Smith, said that she had a 6 page paper assigned over break. Other members of the sorority shared similar stories, saying that the assignments they were given were scheduled (and expected) to be done before students returned for their final weeks of class. When asked why she thought professors did this, she said that just assumed that her professor wanted to "ruin her life".
Personally, I didn't have to face this problem over break. And in my opinion, no-one else should have to either. It's bad enough that some professors seek to assign a final project on top of a final exam within days of each other, but for the love of gods! At least give us this one, if not brief, chance to relax.
-Fran
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Arts Turning on Arts
When Witt announced that it would be looking into cutting some of the offered programs, it probably came as no surprise to anyone that art programs were on the list. Since practically the dawn of schooling, arts programs have been getting the shaft. And it looks like even a school that claims to be a "Liberal Arts" university isn't above cutting the programs it's so proudly advertised in the past.
Mike Waring recently made a post stating that the reason arts programs are getting cut over sports is because sports bring in more revenue. And while that may be true, Wittenberg has never been a school that, in my opinion, is centered around sports. I have friends who graduated from highschool and who are now heading towards careers as professional football players at schools like Notre Dame or Kansas State. And while Wittenberg's football may be good for their division, I don't think the school sponsors kids with the intent of sending them into the professional leagues.
Then again, coming to Witt for dance isn't exactly guaranteed to get you anywhere in the professional dance world either. But it's still a budding program, which means that it definitely has room to grow. One of the reasons I came to Witt was because I was tired of being in a school that consistently denied funding to its arts programs despite the fact that our theater performances always sold out and that our art shows were constantly packed. It instead fueled thousands of dollars into the sports programs year after year and gave the cheerleaders new uniforms for every season.
I came to to a "Liberal Arts" school for the arts.
-Fran
Mike Waring recently made a post stating that the reason arts programs are getting cut over sports is because sports bring in more revenue. And while that may be true, Wittenberg has never been a school that, in my opinion, is centered around sports. I have friends who graduated from highschool and who are now heading towards careers as professional football players at schools like Notre Dame or Kansas State. And while Wittenberg's football may be good for their division, I don't think the school sponsors kids with the intent of sending them into the professional leagues.
Then again, coming to Witt for dance isn't exactly guaranteed to get you anywhere in the professional dance world either. But it's still a budding program, which means that it definitely has room to grow. One of the reasons I came to Witt was because I was tired of being in a school that consistently denied funding to its arts programs despite the fact that our theater performances always sold out and that our art shows were constantly packed. It instead fueled thousands of dollars into the sports programs year after year and gave the cheerleaders new uniforms for every season.
I came to to a "Liberal Arts" school for the arts.
-Fran
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Social Issues That Won the Election
While there were certainly several factors that contributed to either candidates chances of winning, I think one of the biggest in this year's election was social issues. Both Democrats and Republicans alike boasted their candidates views on abortion, gay rights, medicare, and the likes. And people from either side seemed unwavering in their stances. In class we discussed the more economic issues that concerned voters and lead their decisions in voting, but I'd like to focus on the social.
For me, personally, women's health and gay rights played a huge part in deciding who I voted for. Romney promised to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and to repeal the repeal on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" while Obama promised to do just the opposite. While I've never used Planned Parenthood's services, I know plenty of people who have and I've seen the benefits of having it around. And the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was such a major step forward in the gay pride movement that I'd hate to see it take another two steps back.
So yes, while I think the state of the economy and our futures played a big role in deciding the election, I think people had much more on the line than that.
-Fran
For me, personally, women's health and gay rights played a huge part in deciding who I voted for. Romney promised to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and to repeal the repeal on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" while Obama promised to do just the opposite. While I've never used Planned Parenthood's services, I know plenty of people who have and I've seen the benefits of having it around. And the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was such a major step forward in the gay pride movement that I'd hate to see it take another two steps back.
So yes, while I think the state of the economy and our futures played a big role in deciding the election, I think people had much more on the line than that.
-Fran
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Aaaaaaaaaaaand the Winner is...!
Barack Obama!
Tuesday evening, the night of election night, was, without a doubt, a huge deal on campus. Starting at around 6:30, students were gathered around their televisions or laptops watching the news and keeping track of voting polls since the very moment results began to pour in. Obama and Romney supporters alike were eager to know how things were going to turn out, and up and down the streets you could hear the partiers at Witt already going crazy.
Facebook and Twitter, especially, were blowing up with election news. Some people were threatening to move to Canada or England depending on who won, while others were just making status updates every five minutes about who was in the lead. Arguments broke out and friends were un-friended, but a little after 12:30am most everyone knew who the winner was.
Again, supporters on both sides began to blow up their social network feeds with either joy or disdain, though it's unclear on how many of them actually decided to pack their bags and emmigrate out of the country. In reality, it was probably very few of them. But as of November 8th, two days after election day, things have seemed to calm down.
Yeah, there's still a Facebook status or two popping up on my feed, but Wittenberg University seems to have already moved on.
-Fran
Tuesday evening, the night of election night, was, without a doubt, a huge deal on campus. Starting at around 6:30, students were gathered around their televisions or laptops watching the news and keeping track of voting polls since the very moment results began to pour in. Obama and Romney supporters alike were eager to know how things were going to turn out, and up and down the streets you could hear the partiers at Witt already going crazy.
Facebook and Twitter, especially, were blowing up with election news. Some people were threatening to move to Canada or England depending on who won, while others were just making status updates every five minutes about who was in the lead. Arguments broke out and friends were un-friended, but a little after 12:30am most everyone knew who the winner was.
Again, supporters on both sides began to blow up their social network feeds with either joy or disdain, though it's unclear on how many of them actually decided to pack their bags and emmigrate out of the country. In reality, it was probably very few of them. But as of November 8th, two days after election day, things have seemed to calm down.
Yeah, there's still a Facebook status or two popping up on my feed, but Wittenberg University seems to have already moved on.
-Fran
Baby's First Vote
While I know that my second blog for this week is going to be about the election, I felt as though I needed to make a post about what it was like to vote for the first time. Back in 2008, I can remember sitting in class and thinking about how badly I wanted to vote. Regardless of which party you affiliate with or which candidate you support, voting is an essential privilege when it comes to being an American. Without our votes, Barrack Obama wouldn't have gotten re-elected as president, and Mitt Romney would never have even gotten the chance to run.
So needless to say, when I drove out to the Springfield Government Center on Sunday afternoon to vote, I was very excited. Despite the cold weather and the (semi)long line, I was pumped and ready. Being able to stand outside the building and talk to the other voters was just an experience itself. Nobody was bashing candidates or arguing and it never really became clear who was voting for who. Everyone in line was just your average American citizen going out to exercise their right to vote. And it seemed as though everyone really respected that.
-Fran
So needless to say, when I drove out to the Springfield Government Center on Sunday afternoon to vote, I was very excited. Despite the cold weather and the (semi)long line, I was pumped and ready. Being able to stand outside the building and talk to the other voters was just an experience itself. Nobody was bashing candidates or arguing and it never really became clear who was voting for who. Everyone in line was just your average American citizen going out to exercise their right to vote. And it seemed as though everyone really respected that.
-Fran
Thursday, November 1, 2012
The Bi-Weekly Night of Your Life: Witt's Party Scene
For a campus that parties at least twice a week (usually more), Wittenberg students sure do treat every weekend and Wednesday like it's something special. Obviously there's something at these house parties and McMurray's that keeps bringing kids back like a religious beacon. As to what exactly that is, I have no idea.
Being a Junior, I can't exactly say that I've never hit up the party scene before. I've been to frat parties, house parties, closed parties, open parties, you name it. I've even managed to squeeze myself onto the McMurray's dance floor a couple of times. But even so, I've yet to see what makes going out every weekend and Wednesday so desirable that some students can't think to talk of anything else.
No matter where you turn at Witt, somebody is talking about their weekend or how drunk they got the other night. If Wittenberg had its own economy, it'd probably be based on Natty Light and slurring, stumbling jocks. Even Mondays can become a party night on this campus and it seems like a decent amount of students have tried to make it work.
Regardless, by the first semester of my sophomore year, I was rather bored of on-campus parties. I've only been to one this semester so far, and with the colder weather coming through, I can't say that I'll be tempted to go to another. But I'm more than willing to let every other 'party-hardy' college kid go in my stead.
-Fran
Being a Junior, I can't exactly say that I've never hit up the party scene before. I've been to frat parties, house parties, closed parties, open parties, you name it. I've even managed to squeeze myself onto the McMurray's dance floor a couple of times. But even so, I've yet to see what makes going out every weekend and Wednesday so desirable that some students can't think to talk of anything else.
No matter where you turn at Witt, somebody is talking about their weekend or how drunk they got the other night. If Wittenberg had its own economy, it'd probably be based on Natty Light and slurring, stumbling jocks. Even Mondays can become a party night on this campus and it seems like a decent amount of students have tried to make it work.
Regardless, by the first semester of my sophomore year, I was rather bored of on-campus parties. I've only been to one this semester so far, and with the colder weather coming through, I can't say that I'll be tempted to go to another. But I'm more than willing to let every other 'party-hardy' college kid go in my stead.
-Fran
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