Category Archives: FAQ

GRADUATION: The Year-end Awards & Grading

Awards/Grants, FAQ, Graduation, Greatest Hits, M.S. Program

GRADUATION: The Year-end Awards & Grading

This information is for M.S. Students primarily.

We received the following question from a student:

Today in REPORTING, we had a guest speaker whose bio mentioned that she received the “Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship, won for graduating first in her class…”

Since we don’t receive grades, I’m wondering how this designation of “first in class” is decided.

Good question. Here’s the answer:

The Journalism School has a Pass-Fail system of formal grading. It aims at encouraging students to perform as well as they can, without competing with classmates. In most courses, students receive written evaluations of their work from the instructors. Copies of these evaluations are kept in the DOS Office. As part of that evaluation process, we use an informal system of additional grading, which permits each instructor to designate one or two students as having completed a course “with honors.” Students are informed of the honors designation via the written evaluation form.

That designation, in the individual classes, is “honors in class,” and you will see it – if you get it – in the written evaluation form you receive (It will not appear on your official transcript). If you receive two or more “honors in class” in our six-credit courses (Reporting, Master’s Project, S&P 1, S&P 2) AND one or more in a three-credit module (Written Word, Image & Sound, Audience & Engagement), you will “graduate with honors.” 

At graduation, the honors list is announced, recognizing students for superior performance in multiple courses; the faculty determines the honors based on the number of honors-in-class designations. The faculty also awards more than a dozen special prizes at graduation, including five Pulitzer Traveling Fellowships for overall performance during the academic year.

Except for a few prizes for which students can submit stories to be judged, the rest of the prizes are decided by faculty, without input from the students.

We hold briefing sessions close to Graduation to explain the procedures.

Part-time students are eligible for the awards and are tracked during their entire academic career here (though the prizes are typically given out the year they graduate).

Please direct all questions to Dean Huff – mgh2@columbia.edu.

Covering Religion 2020

Action Item, Courses, Curriculum, FAQ, Greatest Hits, M.S. Program, Part-time Students, Registration, Spring Prep, ,

INFORMATION SHEET AND APPLICATION FOR “COVERING RELIGION”

SPRING 2020

PROFESSORS ARI L. GOLDMAN, GREG KHALIL AND DUY LINH TU

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

  • Info Session: Tuesday, November 5, 12;30 p.m., Room 601B
  • Application Deadline: Monday, November 18, 9 a.m.

“Covering Religion” aims at preparing students to write about religion with intelligence and sophistication for secular media outlets in the U.S. and around the world. In the Spring 2020 semester, the class will focus on the role of religion in the American South with special (but not exclusive) attention to the 2020 Presidential election. Thanks to a generous grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the course will include a 10-day study-tour of two Southern states, Louisiana and Mississippi, at virtually no cost to students. (The minimal expenses that students will incur are described below.)

The study-tour will take place over Spring Break, with the weekends before and after the break used for travel. The tentative dates are March 13 to March 23, 2020. The first seven weeks of the course will be spent reporting on religious diversity in the greater New York area. At the beginning of the term, each student is assigned a faith, or a sect of a faith, in which to specialize. While a primary focus of the semester will be on the region’s diverse Protestant and Catholic communities, the class will also look at minority faiths like Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and others. In addition to their reporting and writing projects, each student will make an oral presentation in class about his or her assigned faith. While still in New York, students will identify and begin to report on the stories that they want to cover while traveling in the South. (The stories they report on the trip will not necessarily be on their faith beat.)

We believe that this spring is a particularly good time to look at the role of religion in the Southern states, especially as we approach the 2020 presidential election. It is clear that the Evangelical support for Donald Trump was one of the stories overlooked during 2016 election. This factor was one of the reasons that Trump’s victory caught much of the news media by surprise.

The 16 members of Covering Religion class will travel as a group for parts of the trip, visiting houses of worship and speaking with religious leaders. But there will also be several “reporting days” for students, working alone or with a partner, to pursue their reporting projects. Students in the class will have the opportunity to work in print, audio or video.

During the 2020 trip, the class will maintain a website that will include daily updates from our travels. Each day on the trip, one student will be responsible for reporting on that day’s activities and posting the story on the Web. In addition, two students serve as Webmasters and others coordinate photographs, video and social media. Upon returning from the study-tour, students will complete and post their major reporting projects from the trip. (The Websites from previous years can be found at www.coveringreligion.org.)

Here are a few additional points —

  • Class size: The class is limited to 16 students drawn from the M.S. Program.
  • Dates for the trip: The trip roughly takes place over spring break, making use of the weekends before and after for travel time.
  • Full-time and part-time students in the M.S. Program & M.S. Data Journalism programs are invited to apply.
  • The class meets for 15 Tuesdays, from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning on Jan. 28.
  • Academic Requirements: All students must be up-to-date on assignments for all other classes. No student on academic probation or academic warning will be allowed to go on the trip.
  • Composition of the class: We are looking for a group of students that will reflect the diversity of the school in terms of gender, language skills, travel experience, region of the United States and country of origin. No prior travel experience is necessary.
  • Cost to students: The Scripps Howard Foundation grant pays for airfare, hotels, transfers and two meals a day. Students can apply for extra money for other reporting excursions during the class trip. Students will have to arrange their own travel to and from the airport in New York.
  • Application process: Please fill out the on-line application at http://bit.ly/CUJ_religion. 
It asks for a 500-word essay on why you would like to be considered for the class. It should include personal information as well as a statement about what contemporary religion story you would cover in the South if you had the opportunity.

Good luck. We look forward to reading your application.

DEADLINE: November 18, 2019, 9 a.m.

Countdown to Graduation 2019!

Action Item, Checklists, FAQ, Graduation, Graduation Awards, Information Session, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos

Graduation Checklist

Here are the key things you need to do for graduation! If you have done them all, you are ready to go!

1. Diploma Application. Not sure you have done this? You can check on SSOL to see! If not, complete and submit this form ASAP!
2. University Commencement Registration. You must register to attend and get tickets (up to 2) for the University ceremony – – Deadline: Friday, May 3.
3. Journalism Graduation Registration. You must complete this form to register and get tickets (up to 3) for the Journalism ceremony – Deadline: Sunday, April 14.

Other items that must be completed before you can participate in graduation

  1. Awards. Submit any suitable assignments for year-end awards consideration – Deadline: Monday, April 29, noon.
  2. Assessment. All M.S. and M.A. students must have submitted all the required assignments to the Assessment System– Deadline: Friday, May 17.
  3. Equipment fines & returns. All fines must be paid by May 8. All equipment must be returned by Monday, May 6.
  4. Empty locker. Lockers must be emptied out by Friday, May 17.
  1. Federal Loan Exit Interview. All students whose financial aid packages include federal loans are required to complete an exit interview with Student Financial Services via SSOL – Deadline: May 10.
  2. Account Holds. Please check SSOL to see if you have any HOLDS that will prevent you from receiving a diploma – Deadline: May 10.
  3. Cap & Gown. Academic regalia are worn only for University Commencement, not the Journalism School ceremony. Get yours at the Columbia Bookstore–  – Deadline: May 10.

Things to think about

  1. Does your family have a place to stay? If not, check out these ideas!
  2. Do any of your family members need a disability accommodation? For University Commencement, please contact access@columbia.edu. For the Journalism School, please contact Julie Pozo-Cepeda at jp3907@columbia.edu  –Deadline: May 3.
  3. Are you a veteran? Those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces are invited to wear a red/white/blue cord to their graduation ceremonies. To request your cord, please send an email to veterans@columbia.edu – Deadline: Friday, May 3.
  4. ColumbiaYou is the human story of Columbia University in the City of New York, told by the heart of Columbia – its people. It’s Columbia seen through You. Join the story by joining and submitting what Columbia means to You.

Summer 2017 – Master’s Project Submission Instructions

Action Item, FAQ, M.S. Program, Major memos, Master's Project, Part-time Students

TO: M.S. Students completing the Master’s Project this summer
FROM: Sheila Coronel, Dean of Academic Affairs
RE: Instructions on Submitting Your M.S. Master’s Projects

The deadline for submitting your finished Master’s Project is Friday, September 1, at 10 a.m.

We will begin accepting completed projects as of Monday, August 21.

All projects must be submitted to Chanel Roche and Evelyn Corchado in 207A.

You will be required to sign your name on the Master’s Project submission log when you turn in your final project. Only those students who received a formal extension from your faculty adviser and the Dean of Students Office have permission to miss this deadline.

There are multiple sections of the submission instructions. The portion marked General Instructions applies to all students. There are also sections with specific additional instructions for Hybrid/Video, Hybrid/Photo and Audio projects.

All Master’s Projects must be submitted to the Assessment System!

General Instructions:
Please submit your piece (and any other materials as specified by your type of project) in a 9 by 12-inch envelope (which can be purchased at the bookstore or across the street at the stationery shop). Label the envelope with your name, your class year, the title of your project and the name of your Master’s Project adviser. These copies will be turned over to the library.

Please submit the final version of your project to your adviser(s) via email or hard copy as stipulated by the adviser (Additional instructions below for hybrid projects).

This final version of your project will be available in the Columbia Library, so it must conform to the specific formatting guidelines.

Formatting: Margins and Numbers: The print version must be double-spaced on one side of white paper, leaving a 1½- inch margin on the left-hand side and a 1-inch margin on all other sides. Pages must be numbered. No binding or staples, please.

Title Page: Include a separate title page with the following information: Your name, class year, the title of your project, the name of your master’s adviser, and, at the bottom of the page in the center, add:

Copyright
Susie JSchooler (name of student)
2017

Source List: Submit a complete source list for your project at the end of your project. If you are not certain about the best way to cite a source, consult with your adviser. Be aware that source lists and your entire project, including the “P.S.” portion, will be available for reading and copying by all Journalism School library visitors. If you have confidentiality concerns about sources (i.e. names, phone numbers, personal addresses, etc.), you are responsible for removing the source list from the copy submitted to the Dean of Students Office for the library.

Post Script: At the end of your project, include a first-person narrative describing how you discovered, researched and reported your story. This will help future students see what goes into the making of a successful master’s project. This “P.S.” should be included with all copies of your project after the source list, and should run no longer than 1,000 words. Remember that this post script will be available along with your project in the library.

Hybrid/Video Project Instructions
•One copy of your print piece per the instructions above to the Dean of Students Office.
•Please e-mail final copy of your project to your print and video advisers. Ask your print adviser if he or she wants a hard copy as well. Include Post Script and Source List as described above.
•One thumb drive of the video portion of your project.
•Provide a second thumb drive directly to your video adviser and a third to your print adviser. Label all your thumb drives and accompanying materials with complete project information (author(s), title, adviser). We suggest the video format to be an mp4 video file with an H.264 codec. It’s easy to export in Premiere and fits on most thumb drives.

Hybrid/Photo Project Instructions
•One copy of your print piece per the instructions above for print projects.
•Please e-mail one final copy of your project to your adviser. Ask your adviser if he or she also wants a hard copy. Include a Post Script and Source List as described above.
•One thumb drive of either your audio slideshow or jpgs. If your project includes both, please submit a separate thumb drive for each presentation.
•Provide a second thumb drive (s) directly to your adviser. Label all your thumb drives and accompanying materials with complete project information (author(s), title, adviser).

Audio Project Instructions
• One copy of your script formatted according to the Columbia Script Template for the Dean of Students Office, email a second to the adviser, plus a hard copy to the adviser if he/she requests it. Be sure the title includes _final. Include a Post Script and Source List as described above.
•One copy of your final project as a .wav file and an .mp3 file on a thumb drive for the Dean of Students Office, and a second for your adviser. Be sure to label your thumb drive on the outside with complete project information (author, title, advisor).
•Send your adviser a copy of the .wav file via dropbox or wetransfer. .

Audio/Print Hybrid Instructions
•One hard copy of your print piece per the instructions above for print projects plus a hard copy of your audio script, formatted to the Columbia Script Template. Please e-mail one final copy of your print piece and your audio script to your adviser.
•One thumb drive with your both a .wav file and a .mp3 version of your audio piece for Dean of Students Office, and a second for your adviser. Label all thumb drives on the outside with complete project information (author, title, adviser).
•Send with your adviser a copy of the final .wav file (either by dropbox or wetransfer)

Personal Copy: We strongly encourage you to keep a copy of your project for yourself. Neither the Journalism School nor the Journalism Library is able to provide on-demand copies of your work.

Congratulations!

EXCITING ACTION ITEMS: Graduation 2017

Action Item, Checklists, FAQ, Graduation, Graduation Awards, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos

grads_cute

Dear Graduating Students,

Graduation is just two months away!

To get you ready, we have prepared a Graduation Handbook with everything you need to know!

In addition, we will be holding four information sessions at which you can ask any questions you still have:

•Wednesday, April 5, 1-2 p.m. – Stabile Student Center
•Tuesday, April 11, 4-5 p.m. – Stabile Student Center
•Thursday, April 20, 1-2 p.m. – Stabile Student Center
•Tuesday, April 25, 6-7 p.m. – Stabile Student Center

And finally here is a checklist of items you need to do or think about before graduation!

 

Spring 2017 – Master’s Project Submission Instructions

Action Item, FAQ, M.S. Program, Major memos, Master's Project

TO: M.S. Students completing the Master’s Project this spring
FROM: Sheila Coronel, Dean of Academic Affairs
RE: Instructions on Submitting Your M.S. Master’s Projects

The deadline for submitting your finished Master’s Project is Friday, March 10, at 10 a.m.

We will begin accepting completed projects as of Friday, March 3.

All projects must be submitted to Chanel Roche and Evelyn Corchado in 207A.

You will be required to sign your name on the Master’s Project submission log when you turn in your final project. Only those students who received a formal extension from your faculty adviser and the Dean of Students Office have permission to miss this deadline.

There are multiple sections of the submission instructions. The portion marked General Instructions applies to all students. There are also sections with specific additional instructions for Hybrid/Video, Hybrid/Photo and Audio projects.

All Master’s Projects must be submitted to the Assessment System!

General Instructions:
Please submit your piece (and any other materials as specified by your type of project) in a 9 by 12-inch envelope (which can be purchased at the bookstore or across the street at the stationery shop). Label the envelope with your name, your class year, the title of your project and the name of your Master’s Project adviser. These copies will be turned over to the library.

Please submit the final version of your project to your adviser(s) via email or hard copy as stipulated by the adviser (Additional instructions below for hybrid projects).

This final version of your project will be available in the Columbia Library, so it must conform to the specific formatting guidelines.

Formatting: Margins and Numbers: The print version must be double-spaced on one side of white paper, leaving a 1½- inch margin on the left-hand side and a 1-inch margin on all other sides. Pages must be numbered. No binding or staples, please.

Title Page: Include a separate title page with the following information: Your name, class year, the title of your project, the name of your master’s adviser, and, at the bottom of the page in the center, add:

Copyright
Susie JSchooler (name of student)
2017

Source List: Submit a complete source list for your project at the end of your project. If you are not certain about the best way to cite a source, consult with your adviser. Be aware that source lists and your entire project, including the “P.S.” portion, will be available for reading and copying by all Journalism School library visitors. If you have confidentiality concerns about sources (i.e. names, phone numbers, personal addresses, etc.), you are responsible for removing the source list from the copy submitted to the Dean of Students Office for the library.

Post Script: At the end of your project, include a first-person narrative describing how you discovered, researched and reported your story. This will help future students see what goes into the making of a successful master’s project. This “P.S.” should be included with all copies of your project after the source list, and should run no longer than 1,000 words. Remember that this post script will be available along with your project in the library.

Hybrid/Video Project Instructions
•One copy of your print piece per the instructions above to the Dean of Students Office.
•Please e-mail final copy of your project to your print and video advisers. Ask your print adviser if he or she wants a hard copy as well. Include Post Script and Source List as described above.
•One thumb drive of the video portion of your project.
•Provide a second thumb drive directly to your video adviser and a third to your print adviser. Label all your thumb drives and accompanying materials with complete project information (author(s), title, adviser). We suggest the video format to be an mp4 video file with an H.264 codec. It’s easy to export in Premiere and fits on most thumb drives.

Hybrid/Photo Project Instructions
•One copy of your print piece per the instructions above for print projects.
•Please e-mail one final copy of your project to your adviser. Ask your adviser if he or she also wants a hard copy. Include a Post Script and Source List as described above.
•One thumb drive of either your audio slideshow or jpgs. If your project includes both, please submit a separate thumb drive for each presentation.
•Provide a second thumb drive (s) directly to your adviser. Label all your thumb drives and accompanying materials with complete project information (author(s), title, adviser).

Audio Project Instructions
• One copy of your script formatted according to the Columbia Script Template for the Dean of Students Office, email a second to the adviser, plus a hard copy to the adviser if he/she requests it. Be sure the title includes _final. Include a Post Script and Source List as described above.
•One copy of your final project as a .wav file and an .mp3 file on a thumb drive for the Dean of Students Office, and a second for your adviser. Be sure to label your thumb drive on the outside with complete project information (author, title, advisor).
•Send your adviser a copy of the .wav file via dropbox or wetransfer. .

Audio/Print Hybrid Instructions
•One hard copy of your print piece per the instructions above for print projects plus a hard copy of your audio script, formatted to the Columbia Script Template. Please e-mail one final copy of your print piece and your audio script to your adviser.
•One thumb drive with your both a .wav file and a .mp3 version of your audio piece for Dean of Students Office, and a second for your adviser. Label all thumb drives on the outside with complete project information (author, title, adviser).
•Send with your adviser a copy of the final .wav file (either by dropbox or wetransfer)

Personal Copy: We strongly encourage you to keep a copy of your project for yourself. Neither the Journalism School nor the Journalism Library is able to provide on-demand copies of your work.

Congratulations!

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POLICY

Action Item, FAQ, Major memos, Master's Project, Master's Project Grants, PhD, Safety/Security

Dear Students:

I am writing to remind you that Columbia University has an International Travel Planning Policy that applies to students/fellows/faculty/staff who travel abroad for purposes related to the University, such as class trips, conferences, research or reporting for class papers, projects or dissertations.

This policy is intended to allow the University to follow the movement of student, faculty and others officially conducting University business abroad so we are prepared to provide you with assistance if needed. As stated on the University site: “Columbia University supports and encourages travel by individuals whose educational, research, or occupational activities are international in scope. At the same time, the University seeks to reduce risk to travelers and the University by encouraging thorough preparation and common-sense practices while abroad.”

The steps below are required of everyone who will be conducting reporting outside of the U.S.

1. Review the information and follow the steps detailed on the Columbia Global Travel Page.

2. Register your trip and itinerary with ISOS (Deadline December 14 for winter break travel)

3. Register your trip with the Journalism School Dean of Students Office (Deadline December 14 for winter break travel)

* Students who fail to register are ineligible for travel grants and lose their eligibility to submit receipts for grant based reimbursements.

* Students who fail to register will also be in violation of Columbia University policy and subject to disciplinary action.

University Resources – Harassment on or off campus

Campus Services, Community Citizenship, Counseling/Psychological Services, FAQ, Healthcare Issues, University Life

Dear Students,

In this time of heightened tensions after the elections, we want to remind you of the resources available to students

If you experience harassment on or off campus, you can report it to Public Safety. This is also true if you experience something threatening on social media. Public Safety works with the police on these matters.

In addition, students can seek counseling for individualized support. We are aware that many students are already making use of counseling and wellness resources for this purpose.

Useful Links:
Report harassment
Counseling Services

MH

ACTION ITEM: Get your CU ID

Checklists, FAQ, Getting Things Done, Newly-admitted students, Orientation

Dear New Students,

Get your Columbia University ID: CUIT has developed a secure web service for students to upload and submit a photo online for their first University ID card. Find out how to submit your photo.(link is external) If you submit your photo by May 15 for part­-time students and July 26 for full­-time students, you will receive your University ID card during your student orientation. For those who miss the deadline, you will have time during orientation to go to 204 Kent Hall to get your Columbia University ID card.

IMPORTANT: In order to get your Columbia University ID card or purchase a Journalism School Press Pass, you will need to take two high resolution digital passport-­style photos as soon as possible.

  • The photo should be a color JPEG file.
  • The background should be uniform and light­-colored.
  • You must be facing forward with your head and shoulders clearly visible.
  • No photos with sunglasses or hats.
  • The file cannot exceed 100K in size for the Columbia University ID card and must be 300 dpi for the Journalism School Press Pass.

MAJOR MEMO: Columbia Health – Student Health Insurance

FAQ, Healthcare Issues, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Newly-admitted students, Part-time Students
Greetings Students,

The warmer weather has finally arrived and change is blooming around the city.  With that in mind we wanted to take a moment to share three positive changes and address one change-related concern regarding the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan.

Positive Changes

New, Dedicated E-mail Address.  Please write to us at studentinsurance@columbia.edu.  Please also update any publications or webpage to reflect this new address.

The August Extension.  For graduating students we are offering a one-time-only extension of the plan so that it affords a full 52 weeks of coverage. The shift in plan dates led to some concerns and we are happy to make this available.  The extension is available upon request and enrollment must be complete no later than August 14, 2015.  Details are on our website at health.columbia.edu/insurance

Early Arrival Coverage For All. As you may remember, a major driving force for changing the plan start dates was the number of students on campus before September 1st.  Now that the Student Health Insurance Plan begins on August 15 we have eliminated the Early Arrival Plan.  One notable benefit of this change is that it provides coverage to many new students during orientation without the need to sign up for a supplemental plan.

Change-Related Concern

Related to changes two & three above, we want to reiterate that there will be no gap in coverage for continuing students.  The current plan year runs September 1, 2014 to August 14, 2015 and the new plan year will begin on August 15, 2015.  While we have been sharing this with students, your help is assuaging concerns is most appreciated.

Thanks so much for your continuing collaboration and do reach out with any questions.  As always, please let us know how we may continue to be your partner in supporting students in the achievement in their personal and academic goals.

In health,
Catherine, Janelle, Michael, Stephanie, & Steve

Student Health Insurance

503 Alfred Lerner Hall
212-854-3268
studentinsurance@columbia.edu

Immunization
Compliance

503 Alfred Lerner Hall
212-854-7210
immunizationcompliance@columbia.edu