User:Bellard32

bellard32 is a brain child that currently lives in victoria bc. he is the smartest kid alive, and will soon rule the world

Hey guys,

The New Year is rapidly approaching and the Martlet will be kicking back into full gear! We're looking for your stories for the first issue of 2009! Stories will be due Sat, Jan 3rd and if you could CC all e-mails to Sam Vanschie (news@martlet.ca) that would be great. If you need any help with where to get started...just ask!

Here's the list:

Service Journalism/Soft News

UNITED WAY FUNDRAISER - that united way thermometer (recording money raised) is climbing. find out what fundraisers have been successful this year and what's still coming up.

WHAT'S WITH THE WEATHER - Obviously something is up with this weather. Have we set any records? When was the last time Victoria had a snowfall like this? What can we expect in the future? Talk to a meteorologist and find out!

**If we are in for more snow, a side story/bar could be that people are responsible for shovelling their own sidewalks. I know in Edmonton failure to do so results in a hefty fine. Could we be facing the same thing if the snow keeps falling?

Hard News

TENT CITY UPDATE- After establishing the right to erect tent cities during the night, courts are now looking at the legal right to sleep during the day. Currently, tent cities have to be taken down by 7 a.m. Check out the Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=39604974886&amp;ref=nf and update readers on what's going on with this issue.

EXPENSIVE ALCOHOL? - The public health officer Perry Kendall reccomended raising taxes on liquor, an idea that didn't sit well with consumers and liquor stores. For now, prices are staying put, and the public seems to want even lower taxes. B.C. already has the highest taxes in Canada. Take a look at the report and see why the recomendation was made, and if there's a chance of even higher prices in the future. E-mail me if you need help tracking down contacts.

ANYTHING - If you have a great idea or a hot tip, just let us know you're on it! Fire me off an e-mail, make sure to CC Sam, and have 'atter!

Investigative journalism

UNGENDERING UVIC - the university has designated the wheelchair bathrooms as gender neutral bathrooms, which trans people may feel more comfortable using. look into the ways the university is making space for trans people and what more they can do.

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING - Does the university do enough to accommodate students with disability in cluster housing and res? Look into it.

RENTAL DISCRIMINATION - a lesbian couple in Vancouver is taking a prospective landlord to the BC Human Rights Tribunal turning down their application on the bases of their sexuality. How are people discriminated against when renting locally? While there are rules against specifying gender, race and spirituality of your on housing searches, how common is this? What's being done about it?

DRIVING TO CAMPUS - there are more than 20 million cars on the road in Canada (more than one for ever licensed driver!). look into what proportion of students drive to campus and how that compares to other universities. are most students driving regularly or occasionally. where are they driving from and why is it the best option for them? what's being done to discourage driving to campus and why?

UVIC CUTS ENDOWMENT FUND - according to the Globe, UVic has issued a notice saying they may have to cut distributions from their endowment funds, which pay for scholarships and research chairs. This is due to the current economic crisis. Look into what this will mean for researchers at our university.

Make your own?

We are always open and eager to hear your own ideas, whether it's something you've been dying to investigate or a news profile you wrote for Journalism class. Just e-mail me a pitch!

P.S. I know the last listseve said last chance of the year for Martlet cookies, but this is the first chance of 2009! I will give a delicious chocolate chip cookie (my own special recipe) to anyone who pitches and writes their own story (and has it in by deadline of course!)

Kailey Willetts Associate News Editor The Martlet (250)589-3066 kailey@martlet.ca

-- Here is the categorization of news stories that Sam sent out with the last listserve in case you aren't sure what type of story appeals to you the most!

types of news stories:

Hard news: Articles that cover news as it happens with a goal of getting the story out to the public. Usually 300-500 words.

Service Journalism: Articles inform students about things that is happening. The goal is to give context to understand why it's happening. Because these articles usually involve promoting something that already has spokespeople, they are often the most straight forward and a great place to start for new writers. Usually 200-400 words, 500 words maximum.

Investigative journalism: Articles that answer new questions or keep issues in the public consciousness by raising them a new way. Expect to do some digging for these assignments. Usually 500-700 words, but sometimes up to 1000 words.

Experiential Journalism: Go do something that may lead to a story. In these stories you (the writer) may become a player in the story or you may find somebody else's experience to tell the story through. Usually 500-700 words, but sometimes up to 1000 words.

Solutions based journalism: These articles profile a successful project. It's the &quot;good news&quot; in the paper that can help build momentum for future projects and lede to positive social change. Usually 400-600 words.

News profiles: Articles that take an in depth look at somebody making news lately to understand his/her background and ambitions and in turn help readers better understand the news story. Usually 400-600 words.