I realized last weekend at the California Intercollegiate Press Association (CIPA) competition how difficult it really is to be a journalist. Being a communications, radio, television or journalism major is not as easy as so many people on campus seem to think it may be.
When students asked why the Campus Times was not published last week, most of the editors told them it was because we took a break. To my dismay, many people were disappointed that there was not an issue. So after thinking this matter over, I thought I would inform the student body and faculty that we, (the Campus Times) too, need a break sometimes.
Publishing a 12-page weekly newspaper can be as much fun as catching up and socializing with friends and as stressful as sitting at home writing a 10 page paper every week. Sure, I cannot relate to those chemistry majors who spend sleepless nights studying formulas, and the political science majors who have 20 page papers to write once a month but I can relate to the stress that comes along with writing two or three stories a week that will be printed for the entire campus to read and critique.
I guess I am angered by the way students and faculty treat the Campus Times. Instead of writing about Bill Clinton’s on-going affairs or the woman that died in Tijuana during Spring Break, I wanted to address this issue to everyone who thinks we are just a bunch of gossipers.
Going to CIPA was extraordinary in itself. Students from radio, television, magazine and photography departments were able to participate in the competition held at UCLA, including us writers. Students from many universities in California participated in this event. We competed against colleges such as UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, San Diego State University and many others. The Communications Department selected qualified candidates to partake in each category: News, Editorial, Feature, Entertainment and Sports Writing, Photography and Radio on-site competition.
Each college had one hour to gather information from the site that they were taken to and one hour to produce a story, photograph or a broadcast. It was difficult to meet these deadlines, but it was also a big challenge and adventure.
We attended a banquet on Friday night for mail-in entry awards and won 22 various awards, which was very good. On Saturday evening, we won one award for the on-site competition, but were amazed to witness other schools winning so many because they are daily newspapers, not weekly.
We went to this event to compete and prove to ourselves, and the University of La Verne, that we are an outstanding newspaper staff who works hard daily. Even though we may seem like a big clique behind closed doors, we are in fact dedicated workers who have more responsibility than others may think.
The Campus Times staff must meet deadlines daily, edit stories, make contacts, conduct interviews and bring story ideas to each meeting. Editors have even more responsibility. Take for instance us working anywhere from 15-20 hours a week, just to put out out a weekly newspaper. The Photography Department also spends numerous hours loading, processing, developing and scanning photos so that we have art for the newspaper. Keep in mind that all of our production classes are only worth two units.
So next time you think ill upon anyone in the Communications Department, remember we work to inform, entertain and educate the ULV community.
Erica Aguilar, a junior journalism major, is editorial director of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at aguilare@ulv.edu.
