Meeting Story

RHA ELECTS NEW VICE-PRESIDENT

Despite a number of issues and concerns regarding his eligibility, the Washington State University Residence Hall Association elected sophomore business student Jordan Vandermeulen as their new Vice-President.

Vandermeulen’s candidacy for Vice-President of the WSU RHA was the hot topic during their weekly meeting on Monday, Jan. 31. The RHA’s main concern focused on whether having both the President, and Vice-President from Stimson Hall would be an ideal idea or not. Council members were concerned with the Executive Board being too “Stimson-heavy,” with Vandermeulen on the Board.

“Some people think having both a President and Vice-President from Stimson could cause some controversy,” Vandermeulen said in his opening statement to the RHA. “It was my hope you would see it more of a synergy, which is nothing less than positive for this student body.”

Vandermeulen was then asked to leave the room, while the RHA had a round-robin discussion of his candidacy. Arguments were heard both for, and against electing Vandermeulen as their new Vice-President.

Council representatives from Gannon-Golds, Community, and Honors Residence Halls spoke in favor of Vandermeulen, citing his GPA, awards, accolades, and achievements. Stimson representative Sawyer Werner spoke of the benefits from having two Executive Board members from the same residence hall, and in favor of Vandermeulen’s Vice-Presidency.

“It’s saddening to me that you all see it as a detriment, instead of a bonus,” said Werner. “Like he said earlier, I’d like to be an advocate for the synergy he could bring to the table. I really hope you all could see it as a positive thing.”

Representatives from McCrosky, and Olympia halls voiced concerns about not having enough diversity on the Executive Board if Vandermeulen were to be elected.

“Our hall talked about wanting more variety, and diversity from a range of representatives from different residence halls on the Board,” said Olympia Resident Hall Representative Andrew Chamberlin.

The issue of Vandermeulen claiming to be a certified business major in an earlier meeting, despite him being a sophomore was also a point of conflict between council members. After a short discussion, it was concluded that while he is a second-year student, his amount of credit hours may actually make him eligible for certification into the business school, and was then dismissed.

After a brief recess, the vote passed to elect Vandermeulen as the new RHA Vice-President passed, and he officially took the position at 7:59 P.M.

“I feel like last year, not a lot got done,” Stimson representative Tristan Hanon said. “But, with Vandermeulen on board, I feel that we will.”

Story Structure

I. THE BEGINNING
- Greg Nickels announces 30 layoffs, and plans to close the library for a week during summer, due to budget cuts.
- Nickels announced plans to cut $13.3 million out of the 2009 general-fund budget.

II. STRUCTURE AND BODY
- "It's no secret that we are in the worst economic crisis in decades here in Seattle"
- Why this is happening - lower-than-expected tax revenue.
- Nickels' planned budget cuts.

III. SUPPORTING MATERIAL
- Examples on what exactly will be getting cut.
- Most city departments will take between a 1 and 3 percent cut.
- The Seattle Public Library initially proposed shorter branch hours, but the mayor reinstated $500,000 to its budget to allow it to keep its regular hours and avoid layoffs.


IV. KICKER - REACTION AND RESPONSE
- City Employees are planning to picket.
- Public Hearing.
- "The city's budget cuts won't be over then. Budget director Dwight Dively projects the city will be about $40 million short in 2010. There is still $25 million in the rainy-day fund to help close that gap."

Comma Exercise

1. He looked through the door, but he did not see anyone inside the church.

2. "We could wait to see if anyone else came or we could go back home," she said.

3. Reed, a graduate of Washington State University, was elected Secretary of State in 2000.

4. The organization paid the speaker $1,000, but it's officers were unable to attend the event.

5. According to Washington state law, bars will become smoke-free on Feb. 15.

6. He saw Karen and they had coffee.

7. The bales are then sold to a processing center in Tacoma, Wash., which ships them to Moscow, Idaho.

8. It was raining, we stayed home. (CORRECT)

9. Later he phoned again.

10. This will end up having an effect on consumers, she said.

11. He introduced the speaker to Floyd, Moos and Wulff. (CORRECT)

---

1. Sam Reed, a graduate of Washington State University, spoke at the Honors College on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

2. The concert, which is part of WSU's Homecoming Weekend, will be held on Friday night.

3. Frustrated by cuts to high education, President Elson S. Floyd promised he would lobby legislators in Olympia.

Order Exercise

After 45 minutes of debate, the City Council voted unanimously to ban alcoholic energy drinks within city limits. 

The council then discussed public intoxication, the threat to student health, and whether any laws prevented the council from banning the drinks.

“These college kids are out of control and caffeinated booze is the only cause,” said Councilman Arlen Judge. “A ban will 
solve all our problems at once.”




First, the city council discussed its consent agenda. Then it discussed whether local residents should be able to buy energy drinks that contain alcohol.

“This ban will finally restore order to College Hill,” said Judith Peterson, a 44-year-old podiatrist who lives near campus.

Students planned to protest the meeting, but only two students attended the meeting. 

“We’re being hit with tuition increases and more debt. Please don’t take away our cheap buzz,” said Will Wilson, a 24-year-old undeclared sophomore.

The city council held a meeting on Wednesday. The meeting began at 7 p.m.

The meeting was held at City Hall, 1492 Constitution Ave.  It was a public meeting, and the public was invited to attend.

in progress

1.) Jeff Hawbaker, and Bill Paul

2.) Discussion of Agenda for Joint Meeting with ASWSU, and a Discussion of

3.) To buy pedometers for middle school students.

4.) Senator Hanon promotes Coug Day at the Capital.

5.) Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee meeting.

6.) (509) 397-5240.

7.) 4 Confirmed Cases, 600,000 doses available for Washington state, 360 for Whitman County.

8.) "Dr. Moody feels we should wait to distribute the vaccine until there is enough injectable vaccine to offer to the majority of residents."

Passive/Active Voice

1. Police in riot gear fired rubber coated bullets into the crowd.

2. The boss himself informed the employees of the layoffs later in the day.

3. LeBron James missed a three-point shot, with five seconds left.

4. The survey asked participants about their changes in political affiliation.

5. Raoul avoided tall buildings and mountain roads because he had such a fear of heights.

6. Legislature is now considering the bill.

7. The earthquake has destroyed the tiny island.

8. The class is reading the book. (OK)

9. Surgeons performed an experimental operation at the hospital yesterday.

10. The downed airliner covered the wheat field with debris.

Fire Story

Four Pullman residents died after a fire broke out in their apartment Tuesday.

The fire broke out at 7:30 Tuesday morning. Pullman and Moscow fire departments were alerted to an apartment fire at 1172 S. Columbia Ave. – about one mile from the Idaho border.

Carolyn L. Carothers, 13, and Samantha M. Jone, 17, were both pronounced dead when they arrived at Pullman Medical Center. Two other victims who have yet to be identified were found dead at their apartment.

The cause of the fire is unknown. Police found a gasoline canister near the door of the apartment. The Whitman County Sherriff’s Office is offering up to a $10,000 reward for details about the fire. The Pullman Police Department will be holding a press conference at 4 P.M. today to discuss their plans for the investigation.

“The presence of a gasoline canister has raised concerns,” said Whitman County Prosecutor Paula T. Doe. “We are investigation whether the fire was intentional or accidental.”

The home has extensive smoke, fire, and water damage. According to fire officials, the fire destroyed more than $1 million in property.

Ethics Exercise

1.) There are unnamed sources, so I would attribute this to the public domain.

2.) As long as he allows us to use him as an identifiable source, then yes, you could use them. Ethically, you probably shouldn't use them.

3.) Sure. As long as it doesn't closely resemble any of the children involved.

4.) No. Journalists typically shouldn't accept expense-paid trips in return for positive reports.

SPJ Code of Ethics Top 10

10.) Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.

9.) Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.

8.) Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.

7.) Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.

6.) Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.

5.) Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.

4.) Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.

3.) Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.

2.) Never plagiarize.

1.) Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.