« Story ideas and pitches in progress

Glenny Brock

decisions, decisions!

27 replies
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OK, folks --


I had hoped to do this live, but the endless improvisation continues! Before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, post to THIS thread and let me and your classmates know which general assignment story you have decided to do first. Your post should include a brief description of the story and the names of two people you plan to interview. Think of this as a mission statement for this story. Or better yet, the first draft of the nut 'graph. You may have a lot of information at this stage. You may have several TKs. For example, let's say Lucas was doing a story about the fence around the BSC campus. His post might look something like this:



*Lucas Lamb* -- I'm writing an 800-word story about the fence around the perimeter of the Birmingham-Southern campus. The fence was constructed in 19TK and measures a total of TKTK miles. I plan to interview BSC archivist GK Armstrong and campus police chief Jeff Harris.



By Thursday, you should have been in contact with at least one person you plan to interview. That doesn't mean you have to have COMPLETED an interview, but working ahead will keep you on track to complete these stories by next week. Make sense? Yes? Yes! Hooray!

27 replies
  1. Post by Allan Monterrubio
    Campus Diversity
    I'm writing an 800-word story comparing the diversity of the student body from the fall of '62 to the fall of 2020. Stats about fall 2020 will focus on minority students on campus and what it means to be one during the Black Lives Matter movement. I plan to interview Amy Hayes (Director of Admission) and minority students at BSC.
  2. Post by Preston Jenkins
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    Im writing an 800-word essay comparing how different sports at BSC are handling COVID-19 protocols. This will show the differences and similarities in how each sport is adjusting to these crazy times. I plan to interview Jan Weisberg (Baseball Coach) and Tony Joe White (Football Coach). 
  3. Post by Sarah Wilkes
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800-ish (maybe more?) article on the Panther Perk: how it started, and where it’s at today. I already interview Jason Hall, director of dining services at BSC. I’m also interviewing one or two of the baristas that work in the cafe, one of whom has worked here for 43 years! I will also get some students opinions to include, but I haven’t yet decided how I will collect that information. 
  4. Post by Emma Clare Johnson
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800-word story on turning 21 during quarantine. I plan on interviewing several of my friends as well as my siblings who turned 21 in the middle of quarantine. I am interested to see how other people made the best of their 21st birthday despite everywhere being shut down. 
  5. Post by Josephine Gray
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800 word story on Birmingham-Southern student’s social life in the middle of a pandemic. I will interview one student who seems to be socializing as normal in the pandemic and another student who has modified the way they socialize based on covid restrictions. I will also ask about their general feelings about covid and any anxiety they may have about covid. 
  6. Post by James Bright
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I'm writing an 800 word story on intramurals at BSC in 2020. I plan on interviewing Mike Robinson who was formerly working at BSC for 30+ yrs running the intramural programs and helping run striplin. I also plan on interviewing someone in the student affairs office to see what the plan is for intramurals going forward, what the protocols will look like and what we need to do to get them back asap.
  7. Post by Sarah Brinson
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I plan to write an 800 words on BSC's campus cats. I hope to find out how long they have been here by interviewing long term staff such as Mark Schantz. I also want to create a profile for each known campus cat the describes their various names and personalities. I will do this by interviewing Liz Robinson who started the BSC Campus Cat Project! 
  8. Post by William Moro
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800 word report on the upcoming Basketball season this year. I plan on interviewing a few players and hopefully also the coach. The story will cover all of the safety precautions with practice and what the season will look like if it does occur. It should make for a pretty interesting story. 
  9. Post by Lucas Lamb
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I'm writing an 800-word story about the fence around the perimeter of the Birmingham-Southern campus. What has been the cultural impact of the fence at BSC? The fence was constructed in 19TK and measures a total of TKTK miles. I plan to interview BSC archivist GK Armstrong, interim professor Bill Blackerby (who attended BSC when their was no fence) campus police chief Jeff Harris, and multiple students on their impressions of the fence.
  10. Post by Sarah Starbuck
    Story Idea
    I plan to write about being a college senior during Covid-19 in America. Will any of us ever truly get closure from our years at school? I plan on interviewing on and off campus senior students from different disciplines so as to get a clearer image. I would like to touch on what they miss most, how safe they feel on campus, and if they regret being in school right now. 
  11. Post by Katherine Tucker
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I'm writing an 800 word essay on "What's up with the RA vs. OL rivalry." This rivalry became apparent to me during my first Fall as an OL in 2019 and was even solidified with an official RA vs. OL dodgeball game. But, there seems to be some underlying tension that goes past cheery competition. I would like to interview Dana Bekurs who is in charge of Orientation, and Brandon Brown who is in charge of Residence Life, as well as friends that are RA's and OL's.
  12. Post by Sophie Herrington
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I'm writing an 800-word story on student demonstrations of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. I will begin with a focus on the white boards previously displayed in Norton. I plan to interview Rachel Mixon and Star Corder--two students who wrote on the white boards and are involved in campus activism for Black students.
  13. Post by Jheryl Porter
    What's up with Hanson?
    I'm writing an 800-word story about what is really going Hanson. Allegedly there were "renovations" done a couple of weeks ago that deemed Hanson "livable" again. However, the college's lack of transparency about what was done to the building in regards to what were the issues with the building is a little concerning. The building has been closed since August of 2018 under the stipulation that it would be renovated. If all it was going to need was 2 weeks of work, why did we take 2 years to do it? Seems fishy to me. I plan to interview a couple of people in student development- Brandon Brown if I can.
  14. Post by Hope Martin
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800-word story on the BSC cheerleading team. A couple of years ago, the BSC athletic department decided to not call them an official "sport" anymore--they are now a "club." I plan to interview the cheerleading coach, Emily Ballew and one of the faculty members of the athletic department.
  15. Post by Lucas Lamb
    2nd Assignment
    I am writing an 800-word story on how are professor's coping with virtual/hybrid learning. Do they feel more connected to their students. Is getting students to participate harder? How has COVID affected student's grades? Do professors have enough resources? I plan to interview Dr. Mark Schantz and I also want to interview a science professor (TKTK). 
    1 reply
  16. Parent of this post↑ Reply to LLLucas Lamb from Jheryl Porter
    Re: 2nd Assignment
    Kim Lewis would also be a good resource for this topic. She shared with me in our advising meeting that she is in huge support of online class right now because she teaches a language. Teaching online allows for communication to be demonstrated both visibly and audibly. She mentioned her class has been very engaged, and her colleagues in the Spanish department have followed suit and received ridiculously positive feedback from students who hate wearing masks in class and love being able to see their peers' faces.
  17. Post by Daniel Bennett
    2nd Assignment
    I am writing an 800-word story on how Fantasy Football has changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I will use research based on expert accounts and interviews with fellow Fantasy Football players to detail and dissect the difficulties--and advantages--the pandemic has posed thus far. I will also attempt to predict some of the ways in which the season may unfold given recent updates involving the NFL, and I will provide tips and advice based on both expert analysis and firsthand experience.
  18. Post by Emma Clare Johnson
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800- word story on What's up with the library? I will ask questions about the number of people allowed in the library? Why they changed the time? Are as many people still coming to the library? Are people abiding by the rule that you have to leave your mask on the whole time? I plan to interview Gina Armstrong or Dasha Maye. I will also interview 1 or 2 students about their thoughts on the library this year! 
    1 reply
  19. Parent of this post↑ Reply to EJEmma Clare Johnson from Jheryl Porter
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    Oh, this is going to be a heated one. I've heard they are kicking people out the first time they are seen not following proper library etiquette (mask on, no food or drinks, one person per table) regardless of the fact that no one else was on the same level of the library. Students choose not to go to the library, I'm hearing, because the librarians are being extremely strict. I'd be interested to hear from students, too, about the effects this has had on their education experience/study habits/grades.
  20. Post by Allan Monterrubio
    Club Quarantine
    I'm writing an 800-word article about Club Quarantine. It will focus on its conception due the pandemic, the events and collaborations it has engaged in, and the LGBTQ+ community it fosters. I will be interviewing Brad Allen and other co-founders of Club Q as well as individuals that have attended the events.
  21. Post by Josephine Gray
    Moving Off Campus in a Hurry
    I'm writing an 800-word story about moving off-campus due to Covid. I will frame the story as a packing list and interview students who were kicked off campus last spring. This story will be to help new students with what to expect if we are suddenly kicked off campus due to moving into code red as well as a reflection on the chaos of last semester.
  22. Post by Sophie Herrington
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800-word story about pandemic engagements and weddings. I want to explore what it is like to become engaged during covid and have a pandemic wedding.  I plan to interview BSC student Gracie Sharp, who became engaged in 2020, and Hope Lyle, BSC alum and admissions worker who got married this summer.
  23. Post by Hope Martin
    Revival of the College Republicans
    I am writing an 800-word story on the current revival of the College Republicans. Over a year of non-existence after an offensive Instagram post, a BSC freshman is reactivating the club. I plan to interview Caroline Creager, the new president of the club, and Annabelle Kahalley, the president at the time it disappeared. 
  24. Post by Jheryl Porter
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800-word story on students' take on a condensed semester and the elimination of all breaks. Many students have been whispering about the desire for a "mental health day" on campus. I plan to interview Carol Johnson, SGA VP, and Hope Tippett, a highly involved student, both of whom have indicated a desire for this break.
  25. Post by Preston Jenkins
    2nd paper
    I am writing an 800-word story on how BSC students have dealt with quarantine. This will include hobbies they have picked up, how they passed time and what kept them sane.
  26. Post by Sarah Wilkes
    2nd Story
    I’m going to attempt to write about the new Active Minds organization on campus, but I have no heard back from anyone I’ve reached out to yet. I want to write about how it got started and where it’s leaders plan to take it going forward, and hear from the members about their experiences so far.
  27. Post by Hunter Hoffmeister
    Re: decisions, decisions!
    I am writing an 800 word story on NCAA athlete eligibility and its changes due to Covid-19.  I will be interviewing a student athlete and a coach about how things have changed and of there are advantages or disadvantages to the new rules.       
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