In Defense of the Scripps Kids

Letter from the Managing Editor by

Zach Zimmerman

Ohio University is my home and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is my family. We are one unit of walking ambition, knowledge, dedication and anxiety bundled together into machines working and running on different motors. We are studying as classmates, working as colleagues and striving to become journalists.

Scripps kids are bound to clash occasionally, just as families do. But most of us are good-hearted people who want the best for ourselves and our peers.

I am honored to be a part of the Scripps school. My colleagues never cease to amaze me with their journalistic skills. I look forward to seeing what all we accomplish in the future, at Ohio U and in the professional industry.

For that reason, it is of the utmost importance that we prepare to graduate and enter the job market. While Ohio U is one of the best schools in America for journalism, the students should have more of a say in what constitutes our curriculum because we are the ones who work wageless jobs and dedicate our time to student publications.

The university is taking steps towards creating an environment where student input is more valued than it has been in the past. In September, it announced a long-term investment plan that included the creation of a student media leadership council consisting of leaders from student publications. Dean Scott Titsworth said he hopes this “will allow student media leaders to collaborate in a positive way (The advisory board has yet to be created, though it is supposed to occur at some point this school year).

A key point I took from the announcement, though, as The Post reported, was Titsworth exploring “the possibility of practicum credit for students who work in media organizations at OU.”

Working for student publications, whether it be writing, editing, digital and design, audio and broadcast, etc., is where we gain the most valuable experience as student journalists. It is silly that we do not have this type of credit already in place.

I fully understand the importance of the j-school’s curriculum. It is how we learn about AP style, ethics, types of journalism and so many essential aspects of what we do. However, I disagree with the attitude of putting media before the classes we are required to pass.

I like to explain to my sports friends that we are not Cardale Jones. We are, in fact, here to “play school.”

But playing school at Scripps still means the most important part of our learning experience doesn’t even come from the school’s curriculum.

It is hard to find a major more susceptible to burnout, alcoholism and severely deteriorated mental health than journalism. It blows my mind that we have accepted this reality with the concept of being a full-time student while adhering to the same standards of professional journalists and professional publications (may I remind you – most student journalists don’t get paid for any of this).

In this hOUme the family bond is strong. Let us keep it that way by supporting student journalism and allowing us to thrive at Scripps in a way that both makes sense and benefits everyone.

Designed by Emily Crebs thenewpolitical.com 24