Filling the Shoes of a Journalist

Taking this class as my senior capstone was very challenging for me. I was not a journalism major entering this class, and at first found it very frustrating when I had stories returned to me for minor mistakes that any journalism student would have known better.

By the end of this course I noticed myself taking on more journalistic characteristics wherever I went. I couldn't have a normal conversation anymore without interrogating my friends trying to get every aspect the story entailed.

I struggled with sentence structures for the most part. I wanted to make everything long, flowing, and in my own words, instead of short, to the point, and unbiased.

I was really excited for my last beat to write a feature piece which really allowed me to get to know one of my favorite administrators on this campus and tell his story about his time here.

Throughout this course, I have really learned to become an observer. To sit down with someone I am interviewing, let the tape recorder roll, and have a one on one conversation while forgetting that I was actually doing work. I wanted to get to know the situation fully, like one of our class speakers mentioned, you have to become an expert at what you are writing your piece on, so once you sit down you can just write away. If you are having trouble with what you should be writing, you haven't done enough research.


--Seema A. Choudhary
Dec. 11, 2007

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Miami puts out the smoke on campus

BY SEEMA A. CHOUDHARY
SEPT. 11, 2007

The Miami University Board of Trustees has ruled that all Miami campuses will be smoke-free for the 2008-09 school year. The resolution for a campus-wide smoke ban passed with all but John S. Christie, a vocal advocate for student rights, in affirmation.

Kerry McCormack, student member of the Trustees, said, “the Miami Inn, Marcum Conference Center, and all other university run lodging facilities would be exempt from the ban.” These places are exceptions because visitors utilizing these facilities may not be aware of the universities adopted policy.”

The board has yet to determine enforcement and regulation stipulations for a smoke-free campus. Board of Trustees member, Dr. Lolita McDavid, asked about enforcement of violations of the ban. More discussion on this issue is to take place at the next meeting.

The idea for a smoke-free campus came after the Ohio statewide ban took effect last Dec. 7. The university considered providing designated smoking areas or banning smoking entirely on campus. As of now, smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any Miami building.

Students like Brian Southard, a first year at Miami, and an occasional smoker, will be among those affected the most by this change. “They treat it like it’s a problem, but it’s a lifestyle choice,” Southard said. He strongly disagrees with the proposed ban since it will affect friends who are already addicted to smoking.

Tom Shelly, senior American studies major, feels so strongly about the ban that he blogged about it online on the Internet source, Facebook. “They also offer ways to quit smoking,” Shelly said in his blog. “What if you don't want to quit? Since when is it mandatory to quit smoking? Sure, it's bad for you, but you don't see Miami becoming a dry campus (since alcohol is just as bad for you). You don't see fast food places being shut down (since America's number one disease is obesity)... It's an infringement on smokers' rights, and just the administration passing legislation to meet their First in 2009.”

Other members of the university community advocate a proactive approach to problems caused by smoking. Richard Nault, vice president of student affairs, feels that the smoking ban will benefit the university financially. He also noted that “less university money will have to go to health care.”

Peter Mueller, a smoker who graduated this May, sees the ban as a waste of time. “During my time at Miami I spent many hours at the library and I would take smoke breaks in between, outside of King Library. I couldn’t imagine having to walk off campus just to take a smoke break.”

Meghan Kennedy, a Miami junior and non-smoker, said she believes “…the ban will help improve the aesthetic look of the campus. With all the programs to quit smoking Miami provides, it will help people have a healthier lifestyle.” Some students who smoke said they would not seek help at the health center as their first option to quitting. The Board of Trustees meeting concluded its discussion on the vote with, “….pledging to continue and develop programs to help students quit smoking (i.e. counseling, hotlines, and possibly free nicotine patches),” said McCormack.
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