IMPACT Trop stories
Tentative idea list
Spring 2017

Please select your first, second and third choices from the following list so that you will be prepared for class on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when each student will be assigned a story. We'll try to give you a story that you want.

You have already contributed ideas to this list. But if another idea occurs to you, bring that idea to class on Jan. 18, and propose it. We want this year's IMPACT Trop to be fresh and up to date — not a clone of previous issues.

The details listed with each topic are just a few ideas that have come to mind. You don't necessarily have to cover every detail mentioned below for your topic. Develop your story in consultation with your student editor. Be aware of what other students are working on, and keep in touch with the teacher as you develop your story. We don't want to duplicate.

The numbers below don't indicate importance or priority; they're only for the purpose of helping us identify stories when discussing them. We will use these tracking numbers to organize our work. The name of every computer file related to a particular story should start with that story’s tracking number, followed by a short description of the topic and your last name, as in:

1. Health care Brunson

2. Physical fitness Hawkins

1. Health care: facilities and services (doctors and nurses) on and off campus, most common health problems, rates of sexually transmitted diseases, prevention, birth control (this story will require an early contact with the student health clinic; I believe the director retired, and we may have a new director). What services are free; which ones cost money? How can you pay for health care?

2. Food and physical fitness: eating right, exercising, avoiding the Freshman 15; facilities and services available; where to eat, on campus and off; the dining hall; what kinds of food are offered; where to buy groceries, including the Publix supermarket that opened in the spring of 2017; cooking; choosing a meal plan; where to find healthy food on a budget or on your meal plan; how to make your meal plan last all semester; how to use flex points. Tentatively assigned to Mynecia Steele

3. Students with disabilities: problems and resources, including the adaptive needs program for academics and the physical accessibility (or lack of it) of the campus; what's being done to improve services; practical tips for students with disabilities; what all students can do, day to day, to help those who have disabilities; awareness groups such as Students Concerned about Disability Awareness.

4. Groups to join: extracurricular campus groups of all kinds, including Greeks, Student Government Association, Freshman Forum, Trojan Ambassadors, theater and arts groups, religious groups, student media, the Sound of the South band, other music groups such as Collegiate Singers, philanthropies, service organizations, Trojan Outreach, political organizations, Campus Kitchen; volunteer and community service opportunities; why it's important to get involved; finding your niche (where you fit in); how to meet new people when you live off campus; how to start your own organization. Quote the SGA president, and run her picture. Obtain a list of campus organizations from the university, and run it with this story (or, if we run out of space in the printed paper, we'll put the URL in the paper and a link with the online story). You could talk with students who’ve founded organizations. Also mention off-campus organizations and community involvement, including churches (how would you find the right church?). Tentatively assigned to Lacey Alexander

5. Things to do: entertainment venues on and off campus, in the Wiregrass region and nearby cities; day-trip destinations; the beach; free stuff, events and how to find out about them (include the free movie night and other events sponsored by the University Activities Council); facilities in the Trojan Center and elsewhere on campus; annual events; top-10 list of things to do; what you're paying in student activity fees and how to get your money's worth; how to have a good time without using alcohol or drugs; arts and sports events available in the Troy area, including some in which the university partners with local groups; ad hoc activities such as Magic and More (a gaming group) and the zombie game; places to shop or relax.

6. Essential facts about Troy University: enrollment, schools and colleges, major administrative service offices, top university officials and those who deal most directly with students such as Dean Herbert Reeves, faculty, staff, history, recent recognitions and accomplishments, Troy Online, Trojan Café, worldwide Troy University system. Tentatively assigned to Sarah Blain

7. The student body: statistics (maybe in chart form) breaking down the student body on the Troy campus: males and females, ages, races, class ranks, international students, U.S. students, in- and out-of-state, married and single, whatever else is available; interview some of these different types of students. Track numbers of students in recent years (is enrollment up or down, worldwide and on this campus? Why?).

8. The campus: historic spots, buildings and nicknames, landmarks such as the phone booth; construction recently completed, underway, planned and proposed (including the arena, the amphitheater, Janice Hawkins Park, the music building, the new dorms and those to come, stadium renovations, a new rec center, Stewart Hall, academic buildings, expansion of the Adams administration building), when various projects will be finished, how to navigate around the construction.

9. Traditions and legends: the Kissing Rock, other traditions and stories associated with spots on campus, athletic traditions and superstitions, ghost stories, Greek traditions, T-Roy. You could interview the student who plays T-Roy and provide pictures of him, both in and out of uniform.

10. Essential lifestyle goods and services (other than food, housing, health services and computers if those topics are covered in other stories): where to find them on campus and off; examples include snail-mail service, haircuts, nails, tanning, car service, gasoline, laundry; general shopping tips.

11. Safety: protecting and defending yourself, crime statistics, recent crimes and security scares, severe weather, how to get help fast, call boxes, the university’s SOS alert service, lighting, text alerts, who the campus police are and what they do, how to make an emergency call on your cellphone (will 911 connect you to the local authorities if you have an out-of-area number?).

12. Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs: dangers, precautions you should take, arrest statistics for DUI and underage drinking, definition of underage, rules about possession of alcohol on campus, risks of buying alcohol for someone who's underage, alcohol rules and availability at athletic events; the campus tobacco ban, what it means, how it's enforced, penalties for violations (this could be a sidebar to the main story); dangers and legal perils of drug abuse; where to go for help if you have a problem with substance abuse; recognizing such problems in people around you.

13. Housing: where you can live on and off campus, residency requirement, housing lottery (if they still do it), who can help you find a place to live, finding a roommate, whom to see if you have a problem, necessities versus things that are nice to have but not essential, advantages and disadvantages of living on campus, 10 must-have items for a dorm room, dorm room optimization, dorm life hacks (discuss with Sable Riley) moving from a dorm to an apartment. Tentatively assigned to Josiah Askew, with Sable Riley providing multimedia about dorm life hacks

14. Roommates and other strangers: making friends with strangers, including new roommates. Step outside your comfort zone to meet people and learn about unfamiliar parts of life; you could make new lifelong friends. With regard to roommates, this article could feature advice from current and former dorm residents and resident assistants, housing administrators, and a professor in communication or psychology. It could include learning how to work through issues and resolve problems with someone you are not accustomed to living with — or adjusting to a new relationship with someone who’s been your friend but recently became your roommate. Also, it could include other tips about dorm life. Tentatively assigned to Sinclair Portis

15. Parking and transportation: parking rules and zones on campus, registering your car, parking enforcement, most frequent violations, fines and penalties, best and worst times to park, little-known spots where you can usually find a place, transit system, bicycles. This story should not be just a litany of the usual complaints; instead, it should provide little-known numbers and other facts, including information that will be useful to students. The numbers should include: (1) how many student vehicles are registered on campus and (2) how many parking spaces are designated for students. It also should explain the appeals process for parking tickets, probably with quotes from a student who has some authority over appeals. Tentatively assigned to Justin Blowers

16. Technology: using computers for work and pleasure, laptops, tablets, smartphones, the Troy University app, Corq, the Blackboard app, other apps, SOS, computer labs (Windows and Mac), Wi-Fi, Trojan Web Express, Blackboard, online classes (Troy Online), downloading music, Facebook and other social media (especially Troy-related groups, hashtags and sites; should you befriend or follow your professors?), limitations of the campus computer network (including security, passwords, firewalls, and blocked sites and services), using laptops and devices to take notes in class, how your smartphone can be an academic tool, troubleshooting, getting your computer fixed, free help available from the university, navigating the university's website and other online resources (such as its Facebook page). Tentatively assigned to Labrecia Jackson

17. Scholarships and managing your money: Where do you find money for college, using flex points wisely, financial aid, well-known and little-known scholarships and loans, how to research scholarships and apply for them, perils of student loan debt, how to avoid taking courses your financial aid won’t pay for, smart ways to use your meal plan, student discounts (including the card offered by SGA, as well as discounts offered to students by various businesses), refunds, importance of carrying your student ID card with you everywhere; workships, work-study and other job opportunities on and off campus; how to monitor your student financial account, know what the university is charging you for, and make sure you are receiving all the financial benefits you expect. (Be aware that it’s hard for reporters to get information out of the financial aid office, but make the effort and report in your story whether anyone in that office is available to provide information and comments.)

18. Managing your time: good study habits, how to study, the power of planning, working while going to school, advice from faculty and counselors; finding time for friends, leisure and sleep.

19. Stress and mental health: sources of stress, how to avoid them or live with them, counseling and other services (mention that if you are stressed, you're not alone — many people are having the same problems), homesickness, fighting the blues, how named students deal with stress. Tentatively assigned to Nathaniel Rodriguez

20. Where to go for help: what services you can find in places such as Eldridge Hall, the financial aid office, the office to fix your flex points, the SGA office and more.

21. Campus diversity: College provides an opportunity to meet people who are different and to find people like you, who may have been scarce in your hometown. Write about the different nationalities, cultures, religions, sexual preferences, political philosophies, etc. on campus. Mention some groups (such as the Spectrum Alliance) that enable a student to find his or her niche within this diverse environment. You could look at students of different religions and how they deal with a culture that is predominantly evangelical Christian. Talk to a counselor or faculty member about the value of diversity, the opportunity to change and expand your horizons, and also the importance of not giving up your own values just because someone else is different. How and when should you you venture out — get outside your comfort zone — and try something new?

22. Romance and relationships: meeting people, finding friends with similar goals, boyfriends and girlfriends back home or at other long distances (high school sweethearts and Trojan temptations), dating, hooking up, living together, breaking up, same-sex relationships (we have a lesbian and gay alliance on campus, devoted to fighting discrimination), married students, same-sex married students, students who are parents, alumni who found their life partners while students here (we are not promoting any lifestyle, just describing reality).

23. Nontraditional students: those of nontraditional ages, those who commute, married students, students with children, military veterans, transfer students, and those who otherwise don’t fit the usual profile; why they are in school at their ages, how they juggle multiple life responsibilities, what advice they have for other students; making social and academic adjustments; how to get involved and make friends; making sure your credits transfer.

24. Books: library (including online resources) and bookstore, places you can buy books (not just Barnes & Noble), options such as books for rent and electronic textbooks, why textbooks cost so much, credit and payment plans if any, how to buy books if your financial aid is late, teachers' and students' thoughts on why you need textbooks, the Troy University Textbooks Facebook group, campus reading initiatives. Sydney Taylor says one of her professors is working on a committee that wants to provide free textbooks for general education classes. Professor Stewart has some contact information you will need for Barnes and Noble; you can’t just walk into the store or phone it and expect to get a comment or information from the manager. We have a fairly new dean of libraries (Dr. Chris Shaffer), and we should explain recent and coming changes. Tentatively assigned to Sydney Taylor

25. What to wear: what's expected and allowed, the Trojan Way, what's really required, men's comments on women's clothing and vice versa, teachers' comments on students' clothing, how different groups dress.

26. Class attendance and participation: what's required, what's advisable and why, what teachers expect, consequences of not attending, what students think is reasonable and smart, smart strategies for taking notes and organizing them, how to get to class on time, why students don’t speak up more in class, advice from students who do speak up.

27. Strategies for academic success: Best practices, where to get academic help such as tutoring, writing labs, and assistance using the library; services offered by the library staff; best places on campus for interruption-free studying; developing a professional, collegial and friendly relationship with your professors.

28. Teacher pet peeves: Pet peeves professors have about students, with comments from students. Tentatively assigned to Sable Riley

29. Athletics: intercollegiate, intramural; fall football outlook and schedule, including significant additions to the schedule; other athletic highlights of the fall; how students get into home and away games (is there a charge?); sports other than football for both men and women; the arena; how to become a walk-on athlete (what coaches are looking for); how the university keeps track of academic progress for athletes; memorable athletic events of the past; how students can support Trojan athletics, and what benefits they receive from it. Interview third-year head football coach Neal Brown, and get his picture. He had a good season in 2016. What does he expect this year? Mention #RebuildTheWall and other initiatives. Tentatively assigned to Alex Collier

30. Tales from campus life: what it's really like, as told by students who are already here; seniors' most embarrassing moments during their freshman years; sophomores look back on the freshman year. This story could focus on a particular student or two. Find some weird and entertaining stories.

31. Onward and outta here: getting off to a strong start with a successful first semester and good grades, charting a path toward graduation and a career, registering for classes, how early to select your major, virtues of being undecided about your major for a while, changing your major, planning your schedule, what classes to take in your first year, working with your academic adviser, summer school, online courses, understanding and using your computerized program evaluation, graduating on time, Troy Online courses and courses at other colleges as options to help you fulfill your graduation requirements; what not to do (how to get behind, get thrown out, graduate late or flunk out). Tentatively assigned to Sarah Blain

32. Your college degree: How much does it cost? Who pays for it? How much is it worth? We need statistics, as well as quotes from students, alumni and university officials.

33. After graduation, what? choosing a career, preparing for a career, getting practical experience, building a resume, building a portfolio, networking, not posting dumb things on social media that will come back to haunt you, behaving like a professional, taking advantage of the opportunity to connect with potential future employers through job fairs and events as well as employers' contacts with your major department, internships, career workshops; career counseling on campus; the university’s Career Services office as a resource for students and alumni; career fairs; pros and cons of going on to graduate school instead of leaping into the workplace right away; getting teachers to write letters of recommendation.

34. Troy's Alumni Association: what it does for students on campus, why you might want to become a member (even while still a student), how networking with alumni can help you on campus and after graduation.

35. Unique and enjoyable classes: Scuba diving, Harry Potter, ballroom dancing and that sort of thing; also more serious courses such as leadership, where you get to meet the chancellor and big shots. Students and alumni could be interviewed about the best elective classes they have ever taken at Troy. Tentatively assigned to Sam Mattison

36. College isn't high school: how it's different; being mature and self-sufficient; the Trojan Way as a model of character and behavior, not just a dress code; the university's First-Year Studies program, orientation classes, and other services and resources; people you should know; checklist to prepare for your first year.

37. Military students and ROTC: Troy's high percentage of veterans, reservists and ROTC members; Army and Air Force ROTC; the new Troy for Troops program; tuition breaks for military students. If you join the military, what advantages do you gain — and do you have to go to war? We could talk to students who fought in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere.

38. It's a big world: international students (Troy probably has the highest percentage in the state) and Troy University's programs, including the 1-2-1 dual-degree program with China and the Confucius Institute; how U.S. students can get to know international students, including the Conversation Partners program; learning another language; the International Students Cultural Organization, Model U.N., Tea for Troy, Saudi Students Association and similar organizations. Also, study-abroad opportunities for U.S. students, including when and where, types of studies involved, who offers studies abroad, academic credit, cost, scholarships, how to qualify, how to prepare, what international travel does for you. The university offers scholarships for students to study abroad.

39. Coming up this year: A list (choose a number) of things to look forward to in the 2017-18 school year. The admissions office, administration and students could be interviewed about things new students should look forward to for the new year. Tentatively assigned to Hannah Stone

40. Mistakes I made as a freshman: Get quotes and stories from students who have been there, done that. Paint a picture for students about what they shouldn’t spend their time doing, whether that’s partying on a weekday before an 8 a.m. class, not joining a club, not listening to your mom’s advice about this or that, not going out and meeting friends or socializing, driving around for convenient parking all morning instead of parking farther away and walking, not eating on campus, etc. Tentatively assigned to Santana Wood

41. A first-person story about a challenging experience that taught you something as a student, such as the story we once ran by a student who was arrested for underage possession of alcohol.

42. Opinion: an editorial or personal opinion column.

Items not written by students:

61. Chancellor's greeting (by Jack Hawkins)

62. About the IMPACT Trop (by Steve Stewart)

Important:

_ These stories must be fact-based. You cannot write a story off the top of your head; you will have to talk to lots of people and quote them. Do not put your opinions in your story (unless it’s designated as an opinion piece.)

_ Our goal is to make the incoming students want to read this newspaper and the material that we place online, coming back to it for useful information during their college careers. If we don't make it appealing, they won't use it.

_ Look for good anecdotes — stories that students and alumni can tell that hold lessons for new students. Anecdotes add life and meaning to a story.

_ This publication is a journalistic product, not a mouthpiece for the university. Our first loyalty is to our student readers. But we want to be constructive and fair.

_ You may find yourself more interested in one aspect of your story — or maybe you’ll find that more information is available about a particular aspect. It’s usually OK to write about one subject at length while mentioning other essential, related information only briefly, perhaps in bullet points or a sidebar. Discuss the options with your student editor and the professor.

_ We want facts and numbers as well as opinions. We want details, not just generalities. Tell your readers where you got your information. Use good quotes.

_ Tell your readers things that they didn't already know.

_ Each story will need several live sources who provide different perspectives — often including university authorities, students and experts. Alumni will also be good sources for some stories.

_ We need a still photo or other art (such as a chart or graphic) with every story. We also want multimedia. You can produce these materials yourself, or work with the teacher and another student to arrange them. You, the writer, are responsible for providing all the necessary information. Write cutlines and similar items. For a still photo, the necessary information includes identification of people in the photo, an explanation of what's happening, and the name of the photographer.

_ We may want to take some additional stand-alone photos to use as space permits and to make pages more interesting.

_ We will need an excellent photo that can run as the dominant photo on the front page. The student who shoots or provides this photo will receive extra credit. Topics could include the Sound of the South band, students cavorting (tastefully) on campus, intramurals and other sporting events, the football coach with team members, T-Roy behind the mask — possibilities abound.

_ If you are available to shoot pictures and produce multimedia, please send the teacher an email.

_ If you write more than the required number of stories for the IMPACT Trop, the teacher may allow you to substitute the extra ones for some of your other required stories.

ss — 1/17/17