Press Functions at Student Congress

This was too long for the earlier post. This is for Esther and Catherine.

THURSDAY
12:45 p.m. - Press Faculty Advisors Meeting - Radisson, Michigan I
1:15 p.m. - General Session - Radisson, Capitol I-II
2:15 p.m. - First Working Press Meeting - Radisson, Michigan I

Press "get acquainted" meeting. Discuss general outline of press activities
Begin processes and procedures. Select editors and delegate all press responsibilities.
8:45 p.m. - Press Corps Candidates Conference - Radisson, Capitol III-IV
10:30 p.m. - Press Corps Post Press Conference Meeting - Radisson, Michigan I


FIRST PAPER
7:00 p.m. -Thursday - Copy deadline for Paper #1.
8:00 a.m. -Friday - Distribution of Paper #1. 200 copies.


Paper #1 can focus on the candidates for election at the Student Congress and the bill writing process. It should be approximately two pages (four sides) long (really would like to produce smaller papers this year!), with no story exceeding 300 words.

The articles can give the positions of each of the twelve candidates for election. The most effective method of doing this is through interview-type stories. Reporters also could follow the deliberations as a particular committee drafts its legislation. These are news stories and not editorials, so it is important to be OBJECTIVE.

B. Other Possible Stories of Paper #1

• *Profiles of the different organizations mentioned in the topic.
• *A survey of directors to determine ways to fund the involvement of their school in Student Congress.
• *A lead article explaining the election procedure and the purpose of the Student Congress.
• *An editorial recommending a particular candidate(s) for each office (responsibility of editor).
• *An editorial cartoon.
• *The effects of the press conference on the image of candidates for the legislative and executive positions.
• *Comments, particularly from second and third year participants, about the election process for delegates to select the President.
• *An editorial.

SECOND PAPER
5:00 p.m. -Friday - Copy deadline for Paper #2.
8:00 a.m. -Saturday - Distribution of Paper #2. 200 copies.

The paper could include coverage of the following (i.e. suggested articles):

• *The work of the bill-producing committees. Press Office will receive copies of each of the bills by 8 a.m. Friday. Cover not only the bills, but also the actual committee procedures involved in developing and defending the bills.
• *The General Session of Congress, Legislative Assembly, and the Election of Speaker and President, all taking place Friday.
• *Comments from delegates, particularly second and third year participants, about the differences
• in policy topics on the discussions and deliberations at Student Congress.

B. Other Possible Stories for Paper #2

• *Interviews with the two House Speakers, and the President of the Executive Branch.
• *Editorials about the bills or any other aspect of the Congress.
• *Since the legislature is in session, interviews with or comments from legislators regarding changes in Michigan with the Granholm government and/or fiscal challenges.
• *Letters to the Editor with responses from the Press Corps.
• *An editorial cartoon; review of executive actions.
• *Survey of participants on the their choice for President in the forthcoming elections.

PROCESS COMMENTS

1. A process to maintain organization of the various stages of the composition of a story will be maintained by the press corps. In all likelihood, there will be a system of boxes to designate the status of a story. Members should check the press room in one-half intervals to ensure that edits or other modifications on specific stories are timely.

2. The editors will maintain a checklist of all content for a specific paper. It may be appropriate for a staff member to serve as Office Manager for the paper to ensure responsibility for materials.


3. Reporters who interview specific candidates should be responsible for asking the candidate questions during the press conference.

4. Proof reading of stories is essential. Members of the press corps should assume responsibility for reviewing stories that they write to help guarantee reliable copy. Some members of the press corps may process copy and/or input stories for one edition, while writing for another.

NOTE: The paper will be printed in black and white. If you have a computer with word processing, it can be used to expedite the production of the paper.

DIGITAL RECORD
The intent of the photographic experience is to capture a visual summary of key aspects of the Student Congress. It is our intention to create a video essay that we can post of our web page regarding the legislative simulation.

With the use of a digital camera, there can be editing of relevant pictures during the conference. We would like the visual representation to capture various aspects of the conference, including the activities and the personalities.