Ernie et al, this is an excellent topic.

University of Arizona and several local papers and broadcast newsrooms have new initiatives. In one, we've expanded our internship program to be a full apprenticeship, when brings the interns together once a week for discussions on diversity, workplace issues, dealing with grief on stories, multi-media, and other topics. The model is experiential learning, so the students must reflect through journaling, read assigned materials, set goals and be accountable, and so on.

One thing we might consider for this topic, too, is how newsroom layoffs and poor morale about the biz affects students, and how we can work to build the next generation of journalists despite the tough times.

Exciting area for building a better future in jour, I think.

Susan Knight
University of Arizona

I go to the University of Miami (FL), where last semester the School of Communication began a newspaper practicum class as the paper started transitioning under the school--content is still completely in the hands of students. Two other editors and I (the editor in chief) took the class and it was a great experience. We met with the faculty adviser twice a week for critiques and to discuss the paper.

Our adviser, a full-time faculty member, had previously worked as an editor at The Miami Herald for 30 years, and as an adjunct at UM for the past 12 years. He still edits one columnist and occasionally subs as an ACE.

Two other Herald editors, one of whom is also an investigative reporter, work as adjuncts and one sports writer teaches a sports reporting class in the spring.

Another connection is with internships. At least three students have been selected for The Herald's year-long internship program in the Neighbors (community news) section this year and I will be a summer intern in metro.

One of the reasons I wanted to go to UM was because it's in the heart of a major news market with so many opportunities for students. Examples include The Herald, South Florida Sun-Sentinel (where I interned last summer), community papers, TV, magazines and radio.

I'd be interested to read about how other schools interact with their local papers and news outlets, both those in major markets and those that have fewer news outlets.

Susan and Greg, thank you for your reports. What you describe is encouraging and is the kind of thing I feel all members of SPJ would appreciate reading about. Maybe your reports will encourage others to share. elw