Final Story

The stress levels of students increase as their college years come to an end, and when facing an uncertain job market in our current economy, stress levels exceed even more.

According to a study done by Edison Media Research of Somerville, N.J., for the Associated Press and mtvU, “57 percent of students are worried they won’t be able to find a job after graduation, with this number rising to 63 percent among students in their Senior year of college.”

The mtvU and Associated Press college stress and mental health poll was conducted from April 22, 2009, to May 4, 2009. It included interviews with 2,240 undergraduate students at 40 randomly chosen four-year schools across the country, according to halfofus.com. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percent.

This information is not surprising to professors and students at Washington State University.

“I’ll never forget the year I had two students crying in my office,” said Bruce Pinkleton, a communication professor at WSU.

Pinkleton said two boys came into his office crying because they were so stressed out about college. Lately, the economy and worries about finding a job are on the minds of most students who come into his office to talk.

Years ago, stress became unmanageable to two students at Washington State University, said Pinkleton. Both students committed suicide on dead week or finals week, Pinkleton couldn’t remember the exact time. Pinkleton believes other stressors outside of college could have played a role in the extreme act.

It is no shock that stress leads to extreme depression, but under control, stress is just an everyday thing. According to the same mtvU and Associated Press study, stress remains a part of the college experience.

The study notes that they have seen consistent results from year to year when exploring the emotional health of today’s college students.

“Our results show that stress among students is a significant issue that deserves attention, particularly for students who may be at risk of developing more serious problems,” according to halfofus.com.

The study concluded 85 percent of college students reported that they experience stress on a daily basis, which increased from 80 percent the year before.

Of the students polled, one out of every 10 students reported signs of moderate to severe depression, according to halfofus.com.

College is supposed to be a lot of fun, said Pinkleton, but if you take your school-work and grades too seriously it becomes a negative experience.

“One bad grade, or even a bad year, is not going to ruin your life,” he said.

In addition to professors experiencing numerous stressed students, counselors at WSU have also helped students cope with stressors in their life at college.

“Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” said Anthony Hwang, M.S., clinical psychology doctoral candidate at Brigham Young University. Hwang is currently a pre-doctoral psychology intern for Washington State University Counseling Services.

Hwang explained that some stress can be good, and it can motivate individuals to get things done, but if anxiety and stress levels are uncontrolled it can become overwhelming, and it can lead to inaction rather than action.

Hwang drew a Performance Chart on a whiteboard in his office. On the vertical axis was performance, and on the horizontal was anxiety. Similar to a bell-shaped curve, the graph demonstrates that at some points when anxiety goes up, so does performance; however, the graph hit’s a peak and as anxiety continues to increase, performance drops. This is when some students can shut down, said Hwang.

If the curve was quantified, the optimal range would be in the center of the bell-shaped curve, he said, which leads to the best outcome of performance based on stress or anxiety levels.

“If we were not anxious or stressed about anything in life, nothing would get done,” said Hwang.

College age is the breeding ground for mental illnesses, meaning the incidence rate of mental illnesses, such as depression due to stress and anxiety, is higher for college aged individuals, said Hwang.

During the poor economy, Hwang said, most students are avoiding the stressful job market by pursuing higher degrees of education. Most are now deciding to go to graduate school, but while applying to grad school is also competitive, worries about getting in can also be on the minds of students.

“The job market is intense,” said Kathleen Collins, a senior graduating with a degree in psychology.

“Being a psych major, I wouldn’t be able to find a job with at least a masters, so I’d be in trouble making money,” said Collins, about the increased amount of stress if she were not continuing to stay in school.

Collins is graduating this May, but she is going to grad school in a year. While she faces a considerable amount of stress due to college and as she awaits an interview for a temporary job after school, her weight is lifted knowing she won’t need a permanent job for awhile.

If WSU students are experiencing negative anxiety, stress, or extreme depression, the professional staff of counselors at the WSU Counseling and Testing Services are here to help. A Stress Management Program is offered for students to decrease stress levels, said Hwang. The program offers workshops and support for all individuals.

When experiencing stress or anxiety, make sure you take tasks one step at a time, said Hwang. Sometimes your mind can be in so many places, you can lose sight of your objectives, so it is important to not look at the tasks you cannot achieve, he said.

“Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t,” said Hwang.

So as students face finals week, and life after college, professors and counselors remind students that some stress can become motivational.

“I’m a real believer about what college can do for a student,” said Pinkleton, “In the end, there is no amount of stress that is worth ruining your life over.”

“Face it, deal with it, get a handle on it so you can move on with life,” said Pinkleton.

###

Sources:

MtvU and Associated Press 2009 Economy, College Stress and Mental Health Poll
http://www.halfofus.com/_media/_pr/may09_exec.pdf

Bruce Pinkleton
Communication professor at WSU
Phone: 509-335-2795

Anthony D. Hwang, M.S.
Psychology Intern
Counseling and Testing Services
Lighty Student Services, Room 280
Phone: 509-335-4511

Kathleen Collins
Senior psychology major
Phone: 818-429-7867

Outline:

Lede: What is the trend? Increase in stress levels at college, primarily due to finals and graduating into an uncertain job market.
Background information: Scholarly study backing up the trend.
Connect to WSU, Professor comments
More stats from college stress/mental health poll
What do counselors say about stress at WSU?
Does stress affect students negatively?
Back-up information. Performance chart. What is it?
How are students avoiding a stressful job market? Further education.
Back-up information from a student going onto graduate school.
Where can you get help if experiencing stress?
How can you calm down your stress levels?

Secret

I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up...

Torsten Kjellstrand

A family's legacy lives on through photos, said former National Photographer of the Year, Torsten Kjellstrand, Friday, in Cadd 117.

"When you tell someone's story, you validate their story," said Kjellstrand.

Kjellstrand was invited to make and tell the stories of numerous lives, including photos of those who were dying and even photos of an open casket.

As you make a picture, you help that family live on through their photos, he said, as he explained why they let him into their lives at such down times.

As times come and go, what you see is a slice of reality, but not the freezing of time, he said. Those families wanted him there, he explained, they wanted to help their legacy live on, even after their time had passed.

"The idea that pictures don't lie, is not true," said Kjellstrand. Different techniques are in play, and things have to be in the right place for things to work, he said.

Kjellstrand showed many of his photos and even videos of his digital storytelling. Some photos are very personal to people, so he reminded his listeners that it is important to have appreciation towards the families when showing their photos.

"When people let you into their lives, you need to be respectful," he said.

Tweet Tweet

ASPCAhelpers10

ASPCA
Help all animals ADOPT TODAY! about 1 month ago


Yes you can be sued for posting things on Twitter.

Within 50 miles of Pullman:

• SelenicaJudge: A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. ~Thomas á Kempis

Lewiston, ID
1 minute ago from Twaitter · Reply · View Tweet

• AliaMaria: @EvanWahlman first biting people, now mosquitos? gross.

Pullman
2 minutes ago from web · Reply · View Tweet

• siednee: Fire in the dorm caused by burnt cookies. Free ice-cream as compensation. Sweet.

Pullman, Washington
3 minutes ago from txt · Reply · View Tweet

Trending topics:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23ZodiacFacts #ZodiacFacts
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23nowplaying #nowplaying
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23LetsBeClear #LetsBeClear
4 new tweets appeared

TwitPic: http://twitpic.com/1fkj08

Trend Story

College Students of the Palouse Are an Exception to Shelter Trend

As students move out of college dorms and into apartments, some decide to get a pet as a companion. But what happens to those pets when students leave college?

According to an article on foxnews.com in May 2009, during this time of the year, when college students are getting ready to leave for the summer, college town animal shelters see an increase in the number of abandoned animals.

However, college town shelters in Pullman, Wash., and Moscow, Idaho, disagree.

“Many people place blame on college students because they don’t want to think individuals in their communities are irresponsible,” said Lori Freeman, director of Humane Society of the Palouse.

“The timing of the increase corresponds to when students leave,” she said. This results in students receiving the blame for the increase, she explained.

The amount of shelter cats increases in the spring because most kittens are born during this time, Freeman said, so the increase is primarily due to people not getting their animals spayed.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.”

Also according to the ASPCA, a cat can produce twice as many litters as dogs, with an average number of four to six per litter of both kittens and puppies.

“I started working here in 1997, so in the last 13 years I’ve got a good feeling of the trends in the area,” said Freeman.

“If [the claim] was true, we would see the same increase in the amount of dogs, but we don’t,” she said.

AnimalHaven, the Whitman County Humane Society in Pullman, also did not find the claim to be relevant.

“There is no way of knowing where all the stray cats come from,” said Ambrose Chong, assistant shelter manager of AnimalHaven.

AnimalHaven gets around 80 kittens a year, mostly from May to early November, said Chong, but because this is when most cats get pregnant, it is inconsistent to say college students have abandoned them. Only a few dogs, maybe one or two, come in at this time of the year, he said.

Both shelters receive so many kittens, that those wishing to surrender their litters must be put on a waiting list.

Currently, the Humane Society of the Palouse has 16 dogs, and 56 cats. AnimalHaven, the Whitman County Humane Society, has nine dogs, 19 cats, and one kitten at the shelter, but they have three cats and six kittens in foster care as well.

The shelters take steps to ensure adopting students are reliable and responsible. College students wishing to adopt must fill out paperwork and submit documents proving they live in a pet-friendly home. In some cases, the shelter will ask for proof of paid pet deposits.

“It is not written on the forms, but we usually ask students, ‘Once you are done [with college] are you taking it with you?’” said Chong. If they have to, the staff at AnimalHaven will call the parents of students to ask further questions, he said.

WSU student, Becky Williams, a senior speech and hearing science major, made certain that getting a pet fit into her plans for the future.

“Before I got my dog I made sure my parents were okay with it, and I made sure they could watch it after college if anything happened,” said Williams.

Williams got her dog in college, knowing about the inconsistent claims of the high number of abandoned pets from students. Although she will continue to have to choose a pet-friendly home, and pay more per month for pet rent, she said she wouldn’t change a thing.

Before purchasing a pet, Tara Wimer, canine health technician at Humane Society of the Palouse, reminds students that a pet is a long-term commitment.

“Plan ahead, know where you want to live after college because not every place allows pets,” said Wimer.

“Keep in mind that having a pet is an 18-20 year commitment,” she said.

###

Outline:
Lede: What is the trend?
Palouse doesn’t agree with trend. Why?
Alternative reasons for the claim
Statistics on stray animals
Member from Humane Society of Palouse
Member from AnimalHaven
Student who owns a pet
How to be responsible when getting a pet?

Sources:

Trend:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520727,00.html

Statistics of stray cats:
http://www.aspca.org/about-us/about-the-aspca.html

Lori Freeman
Director of Humane Society of the Palouse.
(208) 883-1166

Tara Wimer
Canine Health Technician at Humane Society of the Palouse
(208) 883-1166

Ambrose Chong
Assistant Shelter Manager of AnimalHaven
(509) 332-3422

Becky Williams
Senior, Speech and Hearing Science major
(253) 740-4242

Google Tools

Now let's cheat. Here's Google.

1. Let's multiply: 210 * (821/12 + 7) = 15 837.5

2. Now Google "percent increase".

a. The city's budget increased from $13.2 million to $13.7 million. What was the percent increase?

b. Your pizza budget decreased from $11.25 to $8.95. What was the percent decrease?

3. We can also use Google to convert: "convert 26.2 miles to kilometers"

4. You plan to study abroad in Valencia, Spain. The current temperature is 31 C. What's the temperature in Fahrenheit?

a. Google "convert 31 celsius to Fahrenheit"

5. For your historical re-enactment, you've built a teepee (hey, there was nothing on cable). You want impress the other history buffs so you need to know the area of your teepee. You stand in the middle of the teepee and measure to the edge of the tent. It's 7 feet (that's the radius). What's the area?

a. Google calculate area of a circle (No quotation marks)
area = 153.9380423

You get the picture. Google's a powerful calculator and ridiculously easy.

Math Quiz

From the Poynter Institute's Math Test for Journalists


1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7,885

2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
83%

3. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $8.04 to $4.02. What was the percent decrease?
50%

4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016?
66-years-old its not his bday yet
5. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system?
8.33%

6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
10.67%
7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $65 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost?
$162,500

8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?
You get 4 slices. They each get 3 slices.

9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase?
32.7%
10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is:
$12,500

Help your peers-feature story

Edit Your Peers

1. “I will take an Adderall if I know it's my last night of the weekend to party,” said Jake Grenz, a 21-year-old senior communications major.
2. said Panhellenic President, Elizabeth Boss
3. Mayor John Willaism, has seen the affects of the economic downturn in Omak, Wash.ington.
4. The program provides a seventeen dollar $17 stipend for farmers to end production of crops on their his or her land.
5. After visiting 8 eight banks, a loan officer at Wells Fargo approved Smith for a loan at five 5 percent.
6. Thus, on January 12, Sen.ator Tracy Eide (what party, what city?)  presented the Legislature with a proposal to make high ways safer.
7. Last spring, after an emergency-leave request for the semester, a physician diagnosed Vetter with an anxiety disorder.
-Last spring, after an emergengy-leave request for the semester, Vetter was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

Shorten the following sentences.

1. It is evident that sleep becomes less of a priority for many students.
Sleep is less of a priority for many students.
2. There is a new workout routine that is sweeping the country.
A new workout routine is sweeping the country.

Does this need attribution?

1. When you tell somebody not to do something they are going to want to do it even more.
yes
2. When finals week approaches for college students around the country, one word can be heard from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic: Adderall.
No, its a hyperbole.
3. Organized crime has nearly all control over unions and the concrete industry in New York.
yes
4. This new trend is taking hold in many areas across the nation, especially high population areas and college campuses.
no
5. Students do not stop to think of the consequences that might occur after a night of drinking.
not a good sentence

Otto Zehm lede

The investigation on the death of Otto Zehm, a 36-year-old with a history of mental illness, revealed no criminal negligence from the involved officers, according to a report from the Spokane Police Department.

Chasing Fred Russell

7. Search for ‘Fred Russell Pullman.’ What’s the first headline and publication of the first story? Why this publication?

• KILLER LOSES US JAIL BATTLE
• Sunday Mirror, June 29, 2008 Sunday, NEWS; Pg. 32, 279 words, BY IAN MARKHAM-SMYTH

8. Hit the back button to change the parameters of the search. Unclick ‘Major U.S. and World Publications.’ Click ‘News Wire Services’. Change the date to ‘Previous 10 years’. Search for the same terms.

9. Now we have 73 results. They are ordered by chronology. What’s the first story? When was it published?

• Reward offered for fugitive's capture, The Associated Press State & Local Wire, State and Regional,
• August 7, 2003, Thursday, BC cycle

10. Reorder them according to Publication Date. Now what’s the first story? Oops. We’re still missing dozens of news stories about Russell. Let’s try again.

• GOV. PALIN ANNOUNCES BOARD APPOINTMENTS
• US States News, October 16, 2008 Thursday 2:02 AM EST, 1860 words, US States News

11. Return to the search page. This time, choose ‘Power Search’ on the left side of the screen.

12. Under publication type, choose news. Scroll through the 262 sources until you find ‘Washington News Sources.’ Check that box and click ‘OK – Continue.’

13. One more thing: Change the search to ‘Fred Russell and Pullman.’ The connector, as you probably know, will help limit the results. Click search.

14. Find the Nov. 7, 2007, story by Richard Roesler. According to this story, how much time does Russell face in prison?

• "He faces up to 14 years in prison"

15. Look at the 84th result in your search. What’s the headline?

• 
  Son jumps bail, breaks hearts Parents pray for return of suspect in triple fatality
  
  Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA), October 30, 2001 Tuesday Spokane Edition, 796 words, Hannelore Sudermann Staff writer

Feature Story

Blue and red strobe lights lit up a back alley way of Olympia in the summer of 2009. Police officers called the paramedics for fear that a young man might die. An ambulance and fire truck made their way to an incoherent student covered in vomit on his 21-run.

“The police officer said this was one of the worst cases he had seen,” said Derek Ranney. Like other college students, Ranney had excessive alcohol on his 21st birthday.

The beginning of the night started smoothly at an Irish pub, said Ranney. First a shot of Fireball, three rounds of Patron, a partial bottle of Jagermeister, then off to the next bar where the night fell short.

“In the hour and a half I was there, from about 9 o’clock to 10:30 p.m., I did 18 shots total,” said Ranney, while shaking his head, “but I only remember up until 13.”

Derek Ranney, is a junior chemical engineering student at Washington State University. Ranney doesn’t remember much that night, but explained that if he was coherent enough to make his own decisions, he would have gone to the hospital.

Ranney’s friends told the police they would take him to get medical attention themselves instead of paying for the ride in the ambulance. Instead, they took him to an apartment where he proceeded to throw up everywhere.

The next day, Ranney woke up with no recollection of where he was, nor any idea of where his shoes went. He finally went home where he passed out until later the next day.

“I never wanted to drink again,” said Ranney, with no smile upon his face.

Many people, like Ranney, drink excessive alcohol on their 21st birthday to follow the trend. The “21 for 21” ritual is common among college campuses, where students attempt to drink 21 alcoholic beverages on their birthday.

According to a 2008 study at the University of Missouri in an online ScienceDaily article, four out of five participants reported consuming alcohol on their 21st birthday.

“Of those participants, 34 percent of men and 24 percent of women reported consuming 21 drinks or more,” according to the article. Based on the survey information, researchers estimated 49 percent of men and 35 percent of women had blood alcohol contents of 0.26 or higher.

The study of more than 2,500 students appeared in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association

The article explained that an average woman would have to drink about seven drinks per hour to attain that blood alcohol content, while the average man would have to drink about 11 drinks. However, the study did not define the body type of the average man and woman that the researchers are referring to.

According to the study, Ranney’s blood alcohol content would have been close, if not higher, to a blood alcohol content of 0.26.

“Anything above a blood alcohol level of around 0.35 or 0.4 to 0.5 is the lethal limit,” said Dr. Rebecca Craft, a psychology professor at WSU, while referring to a BAL chart. However, it would also depend on the individual’s tolerance and body type, she said.

Impairment begins below the legal limit of 0.08, Dr. Craft said. Around that limit is also when the most positive alcohol effects are experienced, but when you start increasing your blood alcohol level, you start increasing and experiencing all the negative effects, she said.

A 21st birthday is a right of passage, said Dr. Craft, so it is not wrong to go out and drink. However, if a student decides to go celebrate, they should only have one really nice drink, she said while laughing.

“There is no significant danger in having a very small amount of alcohol,” said Dr. Craft.

Nicole Hicks, also a student at Washington State University, decided not to follow the trend and drink excessively on her big day. Instead, she went out with her friends, had her first legal drink, and took in the memories that she will remember forever.

“You only turn 21 once,” said Hicks, “It would be nice to remember it.”

“I didn’t want to go to that extreme on my birthday. I wanted to have fun and remember my night,” said Hicks, “Drinking 21 drinks in a span of hours does not sound fun to me.”

Ranney remembers his night through stories from his friends. Although he doesn’t regret his experiences, he hopes others will use more caution than he did.

“It is fun to go out and drink on your 21st, but you have to take it in moderation,” he said.

 “Make sure you have a friend that you trust to be there to watch over you. If I didn’t have my friends taking care of me, I probably would have ended up in the hospital, or possibly worse.”

###

Outline:

• First Box--Lede: (Draw people into the story) Back alley way, Cops, Paramedics, Fire truck, Ambulance and throw up… How much did he have to drink?
• Second Box--Nut graf: (Summarize story) Tell about who the student is? The importance and danger of his story. (connecting him to other college students)
• Third Box--Body: (Second lead draws into body of the story) “21 for 21” college trend
• Forth Box--Supporting Information: (Rounds out the story) What is the study or trend? Percentages of study. Dangers of binge drinking. Another student who had fun without drinking to excess.
• Final Box--Kicker (powerful quote) How to prevent yourself (have a friend, and take it in moderation).

--Sources--

Featured College Student:
Derek J. Ranney
Phone number: 360.490.7568
Chemical Engineer Junior

Internet article:
American Psychological Association. "21st Birthday Binge Drinking Extremely Common; Can Pose Serious Health Hazards." ScienceDaily 20 May 2008. 22 March 2010 .

Psychology Professor:
Rebecca M. Craft, Ph.D.
Johnson Twr 233
Phone Number: 509.335.5040
craft@wsu.edu

Other student:
Nicole Hicks
Phone number: 253.468.2178
Asian Studies Junior

Ethics 1

I would not run this photo because it is overly graphic and does not prove any point. People can read a story and see the picture in their mind, they do not need a real-life photo to help them understand the situation. Before making a decision I would ask myself if it is beneficial in any way to run the photo, I would also ask if it is appropriate for the soldier's family to run the photo. Since it is not beneficial nor appropriate I would not run it. Also it is inappropriate for any family with members in the army to see this photo. It is too graphic and evokes emotion in any family who has had loved ones die in the military. I also do not think it is ethical to run this photo because it is uncensored and most individuals would not want to see the tragedies of the military. I think it is disrespectful to the family and undermimes public opinion about the war.

One Sentence story

My story is about the dangers of excessive or binge drinking on WSU students' 21st birthday following the trend "21 for 21."

10-Minute Feature

1. Write down three to five questions in three minutes.

• What made you decide to come to WSU?
• What do you hope to get out of your college education?
• How will WSU prepare you for your future?
• Has anything significant happened that has so far prepared you for life after college?

2. Interview your subject in seven minutes. Use the interviewing skills you've developed to tell us something we don't know about the subject.
 
Patrick McGinnis, junior PR major, dad went here, cougar fam entire life, didn't want to be that far away
 
3. Write a news feature lede about this person.

• Patrick McGinnis has been a cougar fan his entire life. He followed his dad's footsteps in attending Washington State University, and joined a fraternity upon arrival. Through his fraternity he hopes to gain never-ending connections with the world around him.

4. Give us a quote that complements the lede.

• "You never know when you might need someone's help," said McGinnis, a junior public relations student.

5. Publish.

Two Feature Ideas

-Trends in owners opening new stores in a down economy
-Trends in students going out for their 21st bday

Leg. Help your peers

We’re a team. Help out your peers. Correct the following sentences.


1. Another issue with these beverages is the fact that they are marketed in stores terribly poorly.
 Others have issues with the poor marketing of these beverages in stores.

2. The team won its first -ever sweep of USC in eleven 11 years.

3. If the bill is passed by the committee, it will open up approximately a minimum of 1,092 intern positions state-wide for students in Washington state.

4. “Police guilds have a duty to defend their fellow officers,” said Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, republican from Richland., said. whether they are found being dishonest or not.”

5. “We're not requiring high-quality wine, but if you’re going to put Washington on the label, 95% of the grapes must be grown within the region,” said Lacey Hulbert, a 21-year-old enology major.

6. In September 2010, the wine-tasting endorsement will be available  to in stores, according to Jane Westman, culinary coordinator for Metropolitan Market.

Extra Credit: Martha Mendoza

Students packed into a crowded room of the Daily Evergreen Wednesday, March 3, to hear Martha Mendoza speak on winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2000.

Martha Mendoza, a writer for the Associated Press, covered a story about the Korean War. Traveling to Washington D.C. to view historical archives, Mendoza discovered that July 26, 1950 marked a day in which survivors should be recognized.

A story nobody wanted to tell, Mendoza wrote about how the U.S. military bombed hundreds of Koreans and claimed it never happened.

Mendoza's story explained to readers the truth of the Korean War, and most importantly, won her The Pulitzer Prize.

"On any given day one billion people will see one of my stories," said Mendoza. This reminds her to always be careful of what she writes, and to always find the truth within her stories.

Currently, Mendoza is covering narco trafficking in Mexico. She is writing to the public about how pointless it is for the government to fund a failing drug war.

Mendoza's life is busy, but she makes it work for her family with the help of her husband who serves as a stay-at-home dad. Writing for the Associated Press may be chaotic at times, she explained, but for those with a passion for writing, she wishes anyone to pursue her same career.

Section II and III

Using the online resource www.census.gov, answer the following questions:

II. Federal grants and insurance

1. How much did Whitman County farmers receive in Crop Insurance? $5,191,477
2. How much did Whitman County receive in grants (block, formula, project, etc.)? $122,982,596
3. Name three of the grants.

• HABITAT CONSERVATION
• AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
• FORENSIC CASEWORK DNA BACKLOG RUDUCTION PROGRAM

III. Population

a. What’s the 2010 project population for Whitman County? 51,349
b. What’s the 2030 projection? 67,031
c. What's the projected state population in 2030? 10,026,660
d. What's the percent increase for Washington state from 2000 to 2030? 59%
What's the increase in Whitman County during that same time period? 60%

Legislative Story

Engineering Programs No Longer Restricted

Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) will no longer have exclusive authority over engineering degrees and programs in the state of Washington.

On April 24, 2009, Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5276. Its companion bill, House Bill (HB) 1312, was reintroduced and retained in present status on Jan. 11, 2010, for further consideration of the 2009 readings.

“Currently, state laws stipulate that only the University of Washington or Washington State University may offer degrees in particular lines of study including civil, mechanical, chemical, aeronautic, and astronautic engineering,” said Debbie Driver, staff to the House Committee on Education Appropriations, in a recording by TVW, Mar. 26, 2009.

These fields of engineering were considered "major lines" at WSU and UW, and no other public institution could offer them, according to the final bill report.

SSB 5276 and HB 1312 state that undergraduate and graduate degrees in those fields of study may now be offered at any institution of higher education in the state of Washington.

“From my standpoint, when you look at the infrastructure of the engineering departments at WSU and UW, it seems like it would be a huge investment for other institutions,” said Glenn A. Johnson, mayor of Pullman and professor at WSU.

Looking at the many engineering classrooms, testing rooms, and equipment on the WSU campus, it makes no practical sense to offer the degrees at other institutions, especially with a limited amount of money in the state, Johnson said.

“There needs to be a cost-benefit analysis to see how much it would cost to set up programs at other schools.”

With a small amount of students in the state wishing to pursue the degree, and enough space at both UW and WSU to house the students, it doesn’t seem worth it, he said.

“If the demand was big, it might make sense.”

No fiscal note is reported for SSB 5276, and the companion bill, HB 1312, states no fiscal impact will occur.

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District, said the bill has no fiscal note because it can be handled with existing funds, according to a recording by TVW, Mar. 26, 2009.

While this may not interest students in fields other than engineering, current engineering students at WSU feel the bill might be useless for future universities who try to compete with WSU and UW.

“I don’t think that [engineering] programs will get established at other universities because it takes a few years to start a good program,” said Eric Holland, about the already established reputation of engineering at WSU.

Holland, a junior chemical engineering student, came to WSU from Anchorage, Alaska, primarily for the chemical engineering program at WSU.

“Just because they have the ability to have the engineering programs, doesn’t mean they have the capabilities,” said Rhyan Russell, a junior mechanical engineering student at WSU.

“Once they do have the program, it brings up the question of its quality.”

Russell came to WSU because it provided the highest education for a relatively good cost. It is better to pay a little more for a higher quality education, he said.

Although Holland and Russell, along with other students, feel it might be impossible to establish a quality engineering program at other institutions, they don’t disagree with the bill.

“I don’t think it should be required by law that UW and WSU be the only ones to have these programs, I think it should be up to the school to decide if they want to hold the program,” Holland said.

Russell also agrees that offering certain fields of study should be up to the school. It will attract more students to other schools, he said, but it will take time and money to establish the quality curriculum, and by doing so it might sacrifice the budgets and programs of other fields.

“If someone can get the same degree closer to home, people would do it,” said Johnson, “It would be cheaper, but you also have to look at the reputation of the school.”

###

Outline:

Lede: What is the issue? WSU and UW no longer have exclusive rights to engineering degrees.
Intro: What bill? When did it pass? Companion bill? What is its status?
Nut Graf: What is SSB 5276 and HB 1312? Why is the bill important to WSU? Quote Debbie Driver
Quote: Glenn Johnson--It would be a huge investment.
TVW: Fiscal note, Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th district
How are students responding? Do they think it will be affective?
Quote: Eric Holland, junior chemical engineer student
Quote: Rhyan Russell, junior mechanical engineer student
Wrap-up: Glenn Johnson--look at the reputation

Sources:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5276
• http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5276&year=2009
• House Bill 1312
• http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1312&year=2009
• Final Bill Report
• http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate%20Final/5276-S%20SBR%20FBR%2009.pdf
• TVW.org (17:45)
• Debbie Driver, staff to the House Committee on Education Appropriations
• Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th legislative district
• http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2009030201&TYPE=V&CFID=5420201&CFTOKEN=36211813&bhcp=1
• Glenn A. Johnson
• Mayor of Pullman, Professor at WSU
• Phone:509-335-3068
• Mechanical Engineering student
• Rhyan Russell, junior
• Phone:360-927-2604
• Chemical Engineering student
• Eric Holland, junior
• Phone: 509-592-8170

Help your peers

Help your peers with their grammar and style. (Note: These are your sentences, but I’ve also inserted some errors.)

1. Washington State provided a subsidy of over $2,000 for in-state students.

2. “The 13.5 million is the tip of a larger iceberg,” said Jerry McCollum, coordinator of arts and culture.

3. “What I know if the system is broken right now," said President Floyd, "We can’t live in a world with 14 percent tuition increases.”

4. The co-presidents announced a club to meet more people who are interested in hiking.

5. Floyd announced his support for Senate Bill 6562, which is sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer.

6. The Legislature has made no verdicts on budget cuts.

7. The bill would give Washington State University the authority to set its own tuition.

8. Sen. Jessica Smith presented the proposal at the committee's meeting, which was held in the auditorium on Feb. 4.


Floyd and budget

Key questions

1. How much has tuition increased in the past few years?

2. What do ASWSU leaders think of the bill that would give tuition-setting authority to the Board of Regents? Why is it that some ASWSU members oppose the bill
would change from legislature (elected officials currently sets it) to the Board of Regents

3. Who currently sets your tuition?

4. Why would the Board of Regents be more accountable than elected officials?

5. Bernardo said WSU may lose $27 million in research money – that’s twice as much the budget cut facing WSU. Should we mention that in our story?

Legislative Party

E2SSB 6562 Higher Education Access

1. Name and phone number of two sponsors

Senator Derek Kilmer
Olympia Office:
(360) 786-7650
District Office:
(253) 858-6716

Senator Jerome Delvin
Olympia Office:
(360) 786-7614

Senator Curtis King
Olympia Office:
(360) 786-7626

2. One sentence explaining what each bill would do
Allow Washington State University to set its own tuition

3. A link to televised debate on the bill at tvw.org
http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2010020115D&TYPE=V&CFID=5420201&CFTOKEN=36211813&bhcp=1

4. A list of three sources (non-legislative) that may be interested in the bill
Sam Shaddox ASWSU director of legislative affairs
President Floyd
Students affected by the tuition increases

Speech Story

Girls Get Advice at Girls' Night Out

Our culture today has cheapened sex and made women believe that one-night stands and hook-ups are okay, said Marian Jordan at Girls’ Night Out Thursday, Feb. 4, in the CUB Auditorium.

“When you’re in college, you’re almost in this bubble where some of these activities seem okay and normal because everyone’s doing it, so you feel foolish to go against the grain,” Jordan said.

Marian Jordan, founder and president of Redeemed Girl Ministries, and author of Sex and the City Uncovered, Wilderness Skills for Women and The List, spoke to about 200 women of the WSU Greek community about relationships, alcohol and religion.

Jordan is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and received her master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She resides in Houston, Texas, where she serves at Second Baptist Church of Houston.

Jordan travels the world telling women at universities about her life story and of the fallacy that society shapes who we are supposed to be. She encourages women around the world to know their true identity, aside from what others define them as.

In undergraduate school, Jordan was in a sorority and made many mistakes along the way of finding her true identity.

“My whole hope and identity as a women was being put on who this guy says I am, being seen with him and being known as his girlfriend,” she explained about dating a guy her freshman year of college. The relationship became sexual, she lost her virginity, and two weeks later he moved on to someone new.

“I’m dealing now with hurt, regret and shame, but all around me everyone’s acting like this is no big deal, it’s just sex,” she explained. If she was a “cool” girl, she felt like she wasn’t supposed to care that he moved on. Jordan used alcohol to get through the pain and emotions while continuing to hook-up with others.

“My college years became a downward spiral, which almost killed me,” she said. It took more and more substances to convince herself that she was okay and that she was happy.

“But something in my soul told me that it wasn’t supposed to be this way,” said Jordan. She finally hit a point where she couldn’t feel anymore. She broke down and asked God to help transform her. She now considers herself a “redeemed” girl and hopes others will follow in her footsteps.

Jourdan Burks, singer and song-writer, accompanied Marian Jordan by singing inspirational songs to the women, while CUB Catering served beverages and cookies. Resonate Church hosted the entire event.

A woman from Resonate planned and proposed the event to Dominique Mesick, vice president of programming and development for the Panhellenic Association at WSU. Mesick promoted the event and got the women of the Greek community to attend.

“A new focus on becoming a wholesome person has emerged and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to begin this new tradition,” said Mesick.

Mesick said educational programs are hosted each year for the benefit of community members. She believes this is the first time that the Greek community partnered with Resonate.

“I would love to see something like this happen each semester as the feedback we received was extremely positive,” she said.

“I liked how Marian gave examples on the things girls go through,” said Nicole Corwin, a student who attended the speech.

Corwin, as well as other audience members, thought Jordan was very inspirational. Jordan offered a short break where students could leave if they didn’t hold the same opinions as her, or for those who just didn’t want to stay, but no one left the room.

“I thought she had a good viewpoint and solution to everything,” said Corwin.

Mesick also enjoyed both presentations by Jordan and Burks.

“They shed light from their own personal experiences on issues that many college women face and brought an air of humor to the serious discussions, as to lighten the mood without taking away from the sincerity of the issues at hand,” said Mesick.

In 2006, after writing Sex and the City Uncovered, Jordan felt a calling to speak to women about her life story, in hopes to prevent some of the things she went through. In 2009, Jordan traveled to about 30 different places to speak of her story; however she lost track of how many it really was.

Jordan felt more vulnerable to tell about her life because she lived through her mistakes. She hopes others will learn from her.

“I am passionate about what I believe in,” said Jordan, “so I wanted to share my story.”


Outline:
I. Lede: Most important thing said? Sex is cheapened by society, girls think hookups are the norm, girls believe they shouldn’t mix feelings with sex
II. Quote: “If you don’t respect yourself, how do you expect others to respect you?” –Marian Jordan
III. Nut Graf: Who is she? What is she here for? How many attended? Who hosted? Marian Jordan, founder/ president of RGM and author of three books, Feb. 4, 2010, 200 sorority girls attended, here to teach women about their true identity
IV. Background: All about her life growing up, joined a sorority, “down-ward spiral” of college, now a redeemed Christian trying to teach women not to make the same mistakes she made
V. Who brought her here? And why? Connection between Resonate and Greek community
VI. Quote: Reactions? Nicole Corwin, student, liked how Marian gave examples of her own life, and how she gave solutions about how to fix ourselves, Mesick also enjoyed

Sources:
1. Marian Jordan (speaker, founder and president of Redeemed Girl Ministries and author of three books)
• Phone: 832.230.0998
• Email: info@marianjordan.com or info@redeemedgirl.org
• Website: www.redeemedgirl.org and www.marianjordan.com
2. Dominique Mesick (organizer) Vice President of Programming and Development for the Panhellenic Association
• Phone: 206.850.1698
• Email: Dominique.Mesick@email.wsu.edu or panprogramming@wsu.edu
3. Nicole Corwin (student)
• Email: Nicole_corwin@hotmail.com

Questions for the speaker:
• Where do you give speeches? Around the world? Or just U.S.? To who?
• What makes you a good candidate to tell these girls how to respect themselves?
• What made you decide to give speeches about your life? Why do you do these speeches?
• How many have you done?
• What do you hope these girls will take away from your speech?
• What have you learned from other girls at different universities while doing these speeches? Are all girls the same?

5 Tips

Eye contact
Posture
Tone
Background preparation
How did you feel?

Quotes

1. “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose,” Janice said.
2. Lisa said she planned to attend the rally.
3. Jones said he will be there Wednesday.
4. He asked “Are all your flights full?”
5. Jones said he made a “freshman mistake": throwing the ball into a crowd of defenders.
6. Did Bennett say, "It will be a long season"?
7. Did Bennett say, “Will it be a long season?”
8. “Wulff's statement that he would 'beat the Huskies in Seattle' has outraged our fans,” Sarkisian said.
9. “We think it’s a great situation for our band,” Kurt said. “We’re ecstatic."
“Can you get us backstage passes?” Kurt asked Dave, who was standing next to him.
10. “How can we not succeed?” he asked.

Shorter lede

More organizations at WSU help Haiti.

Edit your peers

Edit your peers
1. He died from a massive heart attack on Feb. 1.
2. These lights would be especially important on one-way streets, he said.
3. The play will be Feb. 4 to 7, 2010.
4. For more information, contact John E. Williamson, committee co-chair.
5. Dennis Alexander, adopted composer for the Pedagogy Piano Lab School, will be lecturing on Saturday.
6. En'Wezoh hopes to recruit people who best complement and execute the intended vision.
7. The Interfraternity Council President Benjamin Highsmith, will attend. “GLA is a beneficial experience for all who attend," Highsmith said. "It is time dedicated to fostering relationships between Greek chapters, while identifying commonalities and determining a direction for our community.”
8. The drug-related film will be featured in a special showcase that will air as the final show.
9. “There are still new things to say with art music," said Kyle Winter, the club's president. "It’s hard to stop and listen, but when you do, it can be an extremely pleasant surprise.”

Jess Walter Speech

Going into an industry that is dying can be scary to some, but if writing is your passion then the market will be there and the pay will come, said Jess Walter Thursday evening in CADD Room 21.

“It never occurred to me that a newspaper could die” read Walter from his newest novel The Financial Lives of the Poets.
“It felt like I was dying,” he read.

Jess Walter, a former journalist and finalist for the 2006 National Book Award, spoke to about 75 WSU creative writing and journalism students and staff members about pursuing a career in the dying writing industry.

Walter told students that phases come and go, so students should keep their head up during this low economy and continue to pursue what they desire. Walter is the author of five novels and one non-fiction book.

“As an English major, that is the best thing you can hear,” said Jillian Clark, a junior creative writing student at WSU.
“It is reassuring to hear, when everyone else tells you you’re crazy for wanting to pursue this career.”

Chopped story-- Tragedy on Ice

This excerpted story, part of a package of stories that won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news, has been chopped, scrambled, altered, doctored and otherwise messed up by me.


In the process, I broke it.

Please put it back together in the order you would choose. Then discuss with your table the questions that you would take back to your reporters. What’s missing? Are there individual sentences that you would rewrite? Can you make the best even better?

Tragedy on ice
By O'Ryan Johnson and Chris Markuns
Staff Writers
December 15, 2002

When: Yesterday or Tuesday

Paragraphs

Four boys age 7 to 11 drowned when a group of seven boys plunged through thin ice.

Dead are William Rodriguez, 11, of 292 Howard St.; Christopher Casado, 7, of 18 Jasper Court; Mackendy Constant, 8, of 7 Clinton St.; and Victor Baez, 9, 46 Bernard Ave.

Police said the four dead boys were trapped under the ice at least 10 minutes.

The ice was one to two inches thick where they ventured off the river bank. Four inches is considered the minimum to support more than one person, and river ice may not be safe even at that thickness because of currents and other factors.

As seven boys finished their snack run from the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club to Hanson's Market yesterday afternoon, a sudden urge to slide around prompted 11-year-old William Rodriguez to dash for the serene expanse of river ice.

It was a playful impulse that ended with his plunge through the ice, setting off an ill-fated rescue attempt that deteriorated into a mass of desperate children clinging to each other in 35-degree water.


"Willie said he wanted to go down to the river, to slide on the Ice," Ivan said. “We tried to stop him.”


Surviving the incident were Francis Spraus, 9, 14 School St.; Christopher's brother Ivan Casado, 9, 18 Jasper Court; Jaycob Morales, 10, 4 Winslow Place.
Ivan and Francis were released from the hospital last night, and recalled the story from its quiet start.

The catastrophe left four boys dead, their families crushed and rescue workers shaken following an afternoon of fighting a river of broken ice, the steep mud-covered bank and driving rain.






Lawrence and Andover firefighters equipped with ice rescue suits arrived and after a search of the area where the boys went in, found the four remaining boys under the ice, 25 feet from shore in 15-20 feet of water.

Because of the steep embankment, rescuers were forced to use ladders to bring the children up off the river to the waiting ambulances.

Members of the state police, Lawrence Police and Merrimack Valley dive teams entered the 38-degree water and conducted an area search to be sure no one was left behind.

It was the worst local Merrimack River tragedy in nearly a century.

Quotes

"I threw the rope out once and it landed too far away, so I threw it out again, and again it was too far for them to reach," said Jacques Fournier, a retired maintenance worker.


"He was in the middle of the river," Francis said, Ivan finishing the sentence: "Then the ice broke and he fell down in the water."

"Then we all fell in," said Francis. "I thought I was going to drown."

"My legs started to get stiff, and I had a freezing headache," Francis said. "I was hanging on to Christopher, but he started to slip under. I tried holding on to his hand, but it was like he let go.

Commas. Ugh.

Correct the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write “correct.”

1. We looked through the church door, but we did not see anyone.
2. We could wait to see if anyone else came, or we could go back home. Correct
3. This will end up having an effect on consumers, she said.
4. Britney paid $80 for her editing text, but she received only $4 at the resale desk.
5. According to Washington state law, bars will become smoke free on Feb. 15.
6. I saw Karen and we had coffee.
7. The home was bright and cheery; however it made me uncomfortable.
8. It was raining so we stayed home.
9. Later he phoned again.

Underline the subject and verb of the following sentences:

Another impact that increases the purchasing of alcohol is the premises that sell alcohol on and off the WSU campus.
The best advice the CACD can give is, do not post things that you would not want people to see.

Meeting Story

Cougs Work Together for One Main Cause

More organizations at Washington State University are working together to increase the Cougar Haitian Relief Fund, according to the ASWSU Executive Board at their weekly meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19, in Room 406 of the Compton Union Building.

The Washington State University American Red Cross Club will raise money with a fundraiser called Cougs for Haiti throughout the week by stationing booths outside of various common areas. The Cougs for Haiti fundraiser is sponsored by the Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross in Spokane, Wash.

Thursday, Jan. 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. they will be stationed at the Student Recreation Center and in the Compton Union Building on Friday, Jan. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to the Washington State University Center for Civic Engagement website.

Anyone who donates more than $10 will receive a free “Cougs for Haiti” T-shirt. Also according to the WSU CCE website, support buttons can be purchased to spread the word. All donations and sales go to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund for Haiti.

Another organization, the Washington State University Student Athlete Advisory Committee, will be raising funds this week. According to the WSU CCE website, members of the committee will collect donations in Beasley Coliseum at the Washington State University vs. University of Washington women’s basketball game Friday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. on Friel Court.

These donations will also go to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund for Haiti.

The Washington State University College of Education is also raising money for the cause, according to a university relations news article.

According to the article, the donations that are raised will support an orphanage and village school just outside the earthquake’s epicenter in Ti Mache, Haiti. This city was cut off from food and other necessary supplies, according to Cori Mantle-Bromley, the College of Education’s interim associate dean, who reported to the writer of the article.

According to that same article, faculty, staff and faculty retirees have already contributed $930 to the funds.

The Washington State University Chapter of the Student Washington Education Association is also joining the WSU College of Education to raise money for the orphanage and village school.

GIVE, a student run grassroots organization aimed toward local, national and international issues, is also trying to help give Haiti donations by planning a philanthropy for Haiti relief, said Erika M. Schoonmaker, the co-founder of GIVE.

“The main focus of the group is to empower people who want to make a difference,” said Schoonmaker, “If people feel an issue needs to be addressed, we do our best to work with it.”

Although the planning of the Haiti philanthropy is still in the process, the goal is to be a fun way for people to donate money while also addressing issues that they feel are important, Schoonmaker said.

By working together, the Washington State University Foundation as of Jan. 21 has already received $10,228 in gifts and $270 in pledges from 124 donors, which will go to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund for Haiti, according to a WSU Today news article by Barbara Petura of university relations.

“Considering the scope of this grave tragedy, we want to encourage everyone to consider making a contribution to help,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd, on his personal online blog. “Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to those in Haiti and their families.”

President Floyd contributed $1,000 to help establish the Cougar Haitian Relief Fund, according to a news article in WSU Today by Trevor Durham of the WSU Foundation.

The next ASWSU Executive Board meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, in the Compton Union Building (CUB) Room 406.

###


Sources:

• WSU Center for Civic Engagement Website:
o http://cce.wsu.edu/

• WSU University Relations Article:
o http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=17841&TypeID=1

• Erika M Schoonmaker, Co-Founder of GIVE
o Phone: (509) 592-7285
o Email: Erika.schoonmaker@gmail.com

• WSU Today news article by Barbara Petura, University Relations
o http://wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=17801&TypeID=1

• Elson S. Floyd-President’s Blog
o http://president.wsu.edu/blog/?p=261

• WSU Today news article by Trevor Durham of the WSU Foundation
o http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=17648&TypeID=1


Outline:

I. Lead: Who, What, When, Where, Why
A. What happened at the meeting?
1. Who: ASWSU Executive Board
2. What: Discussed Haiti relief fund, supporting clubs and organizations
3. When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
4. Where: CUB Room 406
5. Why: In effort to increase fundraisers and donations.
B. What will happen?
1. More organizations will work together to increase donations for WSU Haiti relief fund

II. Body: Expansion of the first sentence, more details provided
A. Why did it happen?
1. To provide more aid to people of Haiti in need
B. Who is helping?
1. WSU Red Cross Club
2. WSU Student Athlete Advisory Committee
3. WSU College of Education
4. WSU Chapter of Student Washington Education Association
5. GIVE
6. President Elson S. Floyd

III. Supporting Material, expands on existing material
A. What are these groups doing to raise funds or what have they already done?
1. WSU Red Cross Club
1. Will be collecting funds at the SRC and CUB Thursday and Friday. Giving T-shirts for over $10 and support buttons will be sold.
2. WSU Student Athlete Advisory Committee
2. Will collect donations at WSU/UW women’s basketball game at 5 p.m. on Friel Court.
3. WSU College of Education
3. Collecting money for orphanage and village school. Already collected $930.
4. GIVE
4. Not started yet, is still planning philanthropy
5. President
5. Contributed $1,000 to get the Cougar Haitian Relief Fund started

IV. Kicker: Human voice to the story, use of quotation
A. How are people responding?
1. Already received $10,228 in gifts and $270 in pledges from 124 donors

Homecoming Exercise--not finished

Student Entertainment Board Programmer Karen M. Jones discussed the main events and rules for WSU's 102nd homecoming at the annual homecoming meeting Wednesday, September 16 in Room 142 of the Smith Center.

To start off homecoming week the lip sync will start at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

This year, Jones said, the lip sync will not have chairs because previously they took up too much space which limited the number of people who could attend. With the chairs removed, the CUB Ballroom will be able to hold 1,600 people.

“We asked President Floyd to be a judge, so please be tasteful,” Jones said.

The charity concert will take place on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m in the CUB Senior Ball Room and costs $5. Tuesday there will be a photo scavenger hunt from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Jones also announced that there will not be a homecoming king and queen this year.

“There could be more successful events,” said Susan J. Wells, panhellenic vice president of programming and development. “Students just aren’t interested in the homecoming royalty anymore. It’s time for a new tradition.”

The Student Entertainment Board will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 23.

Passive to Active

Passive sentences often slow down and confuse readers. Rewrite the following to eliminate the passive voice:


1. Rubber coated bullets were fired into the crowd by police in riot gear.
--Police in riot gear fired rubber coated bullets into the crowd.
2. Later in the day, the employees were informed of the layoffs by the boss himself.
--Later in the day, the boss himself informed the employees of the layoffs.
3. With five seconds left, a three-point shot was missed by LeBron James.
--With five seconds left, LeBron James missed a three-point shot.
4. Tall buildings and mountain roads were avoided by Jim because he had such a fear of heights.
--Jim avoided tall buildings and mountain roads because he had such a fear of heights.
5. The bill is being considered by the Legislature.
The Legislature is considering the bill.
6. The practice of covering up mistakes has been pursued by the government.
The government has pursued the practice of covering up mistakes.
7. The car crash was reported by the officer at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.
--The officer reported the car crash at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.
8. The tiny island has been destroyed by the earthquake.
--The earthquake destroyed the tiny island.
9. A new law was enacted to fight crime.
--The sentence needs more information.
10. The candidate was abandoned.
--The sentence needs more information.
Red flag: “To be” + past participle

Counting and Detail

Visual Cognition Lab

How many times does the white team pass the ball??? 14

Did you see the gorilla... (perceptual blindness)

Essay or News Story?

Essay or News Story?


essay__ Contains personal pronouns, e.g. I, we, you, etc.

essay__ Starts with a question and builds toward an answer

news story__ Starts with the most important information, followed by less important information

essay__ Presents opinion of the writer backed by facts.

news story__ Personal experience or involvement is strongly discouraged.

essay__ Expresses conclusion to summarize the argument.

essay__ Goal is to demonstrate knowledge

essay__ Written for academic community

news story__ Written only for the general public

news story__ Goal is to inform the public

essay__ Rewards elaborate and formal writing as a demonstration of subject knowledge

J305 Blog Assignment 1

1. The California Governor will announce his cabinet appointments next week at the capitol.
2. A top advisor to the senator promised the bill would have its intended effect.
3. Upon walking further into the woods, the state policeman found the doctor lying under a tree.
4. As head coach, Tom Johnson’s salary grew $1.5 million to $3 million from 2006-2008.
5. Mark Workman, Public Works director for the city of Pullman, said the source of the discharge had not been identified, however, the city will continue to investigate the problem.