Universities: Like real life, only without consequences

It’s so adorable when kids look up to real journalists. The Concordian this week has an interview with Gazette universities columnist Peggy Curran.

Speaking of which, these Concordia kids want me to talk to them about something later this month. Any suggestions what topic of infinite wisdom I can impart on young journalist-wannabes (other than “you’ve picked the wrong profession”)?

8 thoughts on “Universities: Like real life, only without consequences

  1. Craig Silverman

    You seem to have a good handle on how to gather information from a variety of sources (RSS feeds etc.). It might be helpful to talk to them about how to track and gather information for research. Or just go with the whole “you’re screwed thing.”

    Reply
  2. John R

    Why?

    You have five choices, but “why” has always been my favourite.

    It forces you to think about “institutional memory” as well as personal baggage.

    Why does The Concordian exist?

    The question forces you to talk to the people who were involved at the time at different levels, and to ask more questions. What was it about The Link that the first editor thought didn’t serve the community? Why did the VP Internal of the CSA (the position at the time for assisting groups) think it was a good use of student funds?

    Gordon, I think, was the editor; I was the VP.

    About the same time, Concordia introduced a report on the rights of women, “Weaving the Fabric”, which was opposed tooth and nail at Senate by a very well-thought of academic. The question “why” led me to understand that members of Senate often have secondary agendas. The faculty member wanted to be an Assistant-Dean, and the Dean for whom he wanted to work didn’t like the report. That faculty member went on to become Vice-Rector, Academic.

    Trying to understand “why” people do what is still important to me.

    Reply
  3. David Pinto

    Two points:
    I am surprised that no-one has commented on the rather curious, to say the least, headline on this story.
    Gazette reporter spies on us to parents.
    Am I the only person to think that this is rather offensive, to put it mildly — especially since the story itself is very positive?
    As for John R., who asks why does The Concordian exist?
    Well, a few weeks ago, I went to their offices to ask that very question.
    (I did so because I never knew how to describe the paper.)
    They explained that they had founded the paper to present a somewhat less leftist and less activist point of view than The Link.

    Reply
  4. B. C.

    This curious discussion begs this question: why is The Link considered the status quo? Because it had the Concordian to make its editors feel good about themselves all these years? What mental masterbation is that? The Link is no better than any other campus paper out there.
    It tried so hard to be the McGill Daily and raised its fee levy to print twice-weekly. But no second issue for at least the last three years, and a $250,000 surplus in the bank. Link editors called it “good business practice.” lol
    The left is dead at Concordia, except for this lefty paper. I wonder if people pick it up to channel some self-righteousness for breakfast, or just as a novelty and glance at the screaming headlines.

    Reply
    1. Fagstein Post author

      I don’t consider The Link “status quo”. I’m not sure who does, or even what that means.

      The Link printed twice-weekly from its inception in 1980 (it was created from the merger of the Loyola News and The Georgian after Loyola and Sir George merged to form Concordia University) until 1999. Rather than print an 8-page paper on Fridays and a 12-page paper on Tuesdays, it was decided to just print a 20-page paper on Tuesdays. The fee levy was raised in the early 90s from 13 cents a credit to 20 cents to deal with increasing production and other costs. The Concordian fee levy was originally 7 cents a credit and is now 19.

      The Link has built up a substantial reserve fund in order to survive in case its funding is cut or in case of other major disruption to its finances. The paper was almost shut down in 2001 by the student union for political reasons, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to have money set aside for a rainy day. But by all means, if you think they should spend that money, tell them.

      Reply

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