Big Story: Alcohol for Underage Students

My semester story idea involves a sort of ethical problem... how do I expose the ways in which underage students acquire alcohol around Witt without ruining those sources for future students? Should this story go to print, or should it stay anonymous?

Any feedback on this story will  be helpful; I'm also interested in where to beging and who to talk to.

So far I have these on my list:

Plum Market
Valero
Wine Works
Obvioulsy students about their experiences
Some Dean or Faculty member in charge of this (who?)

Thanks for any feedback!

Wow.. spring break is in two weeks? Where did that come from.

Break usually seems like it takes ages to arive, and whe it does, it flies by. Maybe I've been busier this semester, but I'm not used to Spring creeping up on me like this.

With the weather the way it's been the last week, I couldn't be more ready to drive down to Panama City, FL for some heat. I've got the Spring Fever, for sure.

This is the third year in a row I will be going to Florida for break. While the weather might not always be warm enough for swimming this time of year, nothing beats a cold beverage on the beach. No responsiblilties, no work... perfection.

Of course, now that I've uttered these words, I'm positive the next two weeks are going to drag on slower than molasses. But when things get rough and it starts snowing again here in Springfield, I'll be closing my eyes and enjoying the beach... the glorious beach... once again.

My past/future stories

My last story was a little undercooked. Actually, that's an exaggeration... it was likely to produce salmonella poisoning. I wasn't able to contact the sources I needed, and the topic (state of the dorm computers) wasn't anything new.

Today, however, I received some information that would improve my story by a great margin. The dorm computers are being replaced! So I spoke with Mark DeVilbiss, and I feel that I now have something. My hopes are to publish story for the latest issue of the Torch, which will actually put us ahead of the computer installments! I know, breaking news!!

My next small story will be about the Livestrong guy speaking at commencement. Not too much worry there, should be able to get some background info and opinions from faculty and staff. If anyone has any suggestions, you know how to comment!

The Facebook Epidemic

Facebook... why do I keep running back to you?

With very few exceptions, none of my "friends" have anything worthwhile to say. I have no desire to know what some girl I met at a party once ate for dinner, how hungover any of my cousins are, or what some hipster I went to High School with is listening to via Youtube. There is no real information to be gained from any of these people. I see comparisons between these people's status updates and the dead bird that's been laying in front of Firestine for the last few days.

Mostly because I can't help but look.

Ever since I got the iPhone, Facebook has become a problem. It is literally right at my side, calling out to me. "Look at me," it says. "It's the only way to know what's going on."

And so I am drawn in. not 4 hours goes by that I don't check my friends' updates. It's become a problem. I need help. I've tried unfriending the pople I don't like, but they always find a way to add me back. What can I do? Is there anyone out there? Show me the way out!

Next Story: Computers on Campus

For my latest news story... I haven't gotten very far. In fact, I'm considering changing my topic.

My current story is about the availability of computer resources on campus... is this interesting? Should I continue on with this topic or find something new?

I feel that my own personal lack of a computer at the moment has set me back a ways as well. But that could just be motivation for me to get out and talk to the people I need to for this story.

Passing the Torch

Over the last month or so, I've noticed a lot of negativity toward the Torch.

Perhaps its always been there, and I just never noticed. It seems possible that my involvement with the institution would make me slightly more perceptive to certain criticisms. But even so, the Torch has received a considerable amount of backlash from Witt students.

This puzzles me, because I've heard nothing but praise for the Torch's improvements over the past two years from faculty and staff. Professors Fallon, McClelland, and Smith have all cited past failures on the Torch's behalf, and stated these things are long behind the newspaper.

So where do students get off calling the Torch "incompetent?" Is the Torch, not unlike many other college institutions, meant to be a learning vehicle for future news writers and display editors to hone their skills?

I feel as though many Wittenbergers are confused about the actual operations of their campus's newspaper. So allow me to clear a few things up:

1) The Torch is not exactly a cohesive or collective body of staff writers that churns out stories as a group. Each writer is responsible for his own work, and should be criticized individually.

2) The Torch is nowhere near fully staffed, and its editors are on a very tight schedule. This means that stories cannot be reworked time and again, and, at a certain point, stories have to run as they are.

3) Sometimes, things just aren't that interesting. It can be hard to find a house fire or a burglary every week, especially on a college budget. Of course, that would be writers' jobs were they full-time employees. But they aren't. We're in college. 

Witt students need to think before they go on talking trash about every little problem with their newspaper. Overall, I feel that people should try to contribute more instead of bashing every institution that doesn't seem "professional." It's a lot harder than it looks.

***This is not meant to be a slight toward anyone in ENGL 320 who helps in constructive criticisms during class. It is aimed more toward those who complain without ever trying to fix any problems.