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30 Learn What a Real Newsroom Will Be Like

Photo credit: Jasmine Elise Haynes Constance Bayne, left, and Patrice Lorene Coleman were among those chosen for the New York Times Student Journalism Institute after a rigorous selection process. Thirty students came from 16 schools.

By Jasmine Elise Haynes
Black College Wire

Telephones rang and computer keyboard strokes buzzed as students sought the skills and experience to become journalists. E- mails arrived to the delight of anxious writers. Professional and aspiring journalists circled around newspaper layouts on the floor. Faces suddenly lit up in awe and glee. Asked what they were looking at, one student said, "I'm just admiring."

Thirty students were chosen from 16 historically black colleges and universities for the fourth class of the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, hosted by Dillard University in New Orleans.

The students' stories ranged from the historic New Orleans mayoral election to a poker tournament exclusively for women to the reopening of a sno-ball stand. One was published in the news section of the Sunday New York Times.

For two weeks, students worked in a newsroom and learned from professional reporters, copy editors, photographers, designers and staff from the Times, its affiliate papers and the Boston Globe, which is owned by the New York Times Co.

The institute pays for travel to New Orleans, boarding and all materials. Every student receives a $200 weekly stipend. Students must complete an application that includes an essay, six published articles or prints and recommendations. Students are also required to work in a media organization and to be in good academic standing. The students must attend a school with membership in the Black College Communication Association, as the institute is a collaboration between the BCCA and the Times.

"So far we've been thrown into what a real newsroom is going to be like," Ashley R. Harris, a senior at the University of Houston and a displaced former Dillard student, said after the class arrived May 15. The articles Harris wrote included "SUNO takes strides toward a better university," about Southern University of New Orleans' efforts to recover from Hurricane Katrina, and "Mayoral candidates take final shots," on the May 20 New Orleans mayoral runoff between incumbent C. Ray Nagin and Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu. Harris said she hoped to work for the Houston Chronicle and teach at a historically black college.

Patrice Lorene Coleman of Dillard University said participating in the institute allowed her to develop her skills as a copy editor.

"I had wonderful teachers in the Mass Communications department like Dr. Broussard, who helped me so that I could be prepared for the New York Times," Coleman said, referring to Jinx Broussard, a professor of journalism with joint appointments at Dillard University and Louisiana State University. Although a copy editor, Coleman also wrote a story, "Landrieu thanks campaign volunteers with parking lot party." She hopes to work for the Associated Press in Los Angeles.

Travers Johnson, a rising junior at Morehouse College, said he would never have the chance to work with such journalism professionals again. "I couldn't have asked for more," Johnson said. "What I learned here, I can use forever."

Seeing the students' work was like a father watching the birth of his child, he said. Johnson produced five articles for the institute's paper, including "Criminal courts reopen with more cases, less lawyer," and "Political Dynasties emerge as Louisiana tradition." Johnson said he might attend law school, become a political columnist or pursue a career in politics.

Christine Bence, who works in human resources at the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, said participants in the institute made it easier for her to recruit.

"If you've attended the institute, we have had a two-week interview with you and we know your work ethic and have an idea of your skill level," Bence said. "We love to hire these kids from the institute."

Bence serves as a liaison between the students and the editors. "They have to go through a rigorous application process to be here, so these are really the best of the best," Bence said. Even though Hurricane Katrina forced Dillard's campus to relocate to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel, Bence said the institute staff wanted to maintain the commitment to the school and New Orleans.

Don Hecker, training editor for copy editors at the New York Times, directs the student journalism institute. He said the institute was created because students from HBCUs have not always had the same opportunities as students from Harvard or Yale.

"The institute was intended to give students from HBCUs an opportunity to work with the best editors, reporters and photographers in the world," Hecker said.

"The first year at Dillard, as it has been every year, was so great, we said, ‘all right, now we're partners.’" Hecker said Dillard provides everything the institute needs.

Of the students, Hecker said, "I think they're doing a fabulous job, but it's not just my opinion of how good they are, it's other editors at the New York Times."

Hecker referred to Shayna Rudd, a Howard University rising senior who wrote for the institute and whose story, "Election Day reunites Ninth Ward," was published in the Times.

Other Rudd articles for the institute included, "Videotape found in raid of Rep. Jefferson's office," about the FBI raid on the office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., and, "After unfair media coverage, blacks work to restore community." about blacks in the Ninth Ward who had been stranded in the New Orleans convention center.

"For a while, I didn't understand what my purpose in writing was," Rudd said. "However, coming here made me realize the purpose."

Rudd said that the story published in the Times was the most meaningful one she wrote at the institute. She also said she learned that writing is also a form of activism.

As the institute ended, Bence gave this advice: Be early, show commitment and love journalism, because bad habits are hard to break.

The work of the 30 students is located at www.nytimes-institute.com.

Jasmine Elise Haynes is a sophomore mass communications major/Spanish minor at Dillard University.

Posted June 5, 2006