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Showing posts from December, 2025

Cross-post/publi sh on the blog of a classmate who shares your beat. This can include a f/u to one of their posts, or an opinion. You can link to each other's posts.

  After reading your post very informational reading Nyla ’s post   about the key influences on Atlanta’s artistic community. Classmate link:  https://nylamortonmedia.blogspot.com/2025/11/three-historic-cultural-moments-that.html?sc=1764820148314#c8041029764442586312 . Their analysis of how local festivals and community leaders shaped our city’s creative spirit inspired me to dig deeper into the timeline of Atlanta’s cultural milestones. In my own research, I identified three historic dates that continue to shape our arts and storytelling scene today: October 5, 1881 — The Opening of the Atlanta University Center (AUC): This moment established a hub for Black intellectual and creative talent, which still fuels Atlanta’s national influence in the arts. September 12, 1960 — The AUC Students Launch The Atlanta Student Movement: I agree with Nyla that activism and the arts go hand-in-hand here. The student movement used creative expression to push for social change a traditio...

Find three local and/or campus organizations that relate to your beat. Identify the media contact and come up with a story idea.

  1. CAU Wellness Center Media Contact:  Dr. Lisa Martinez, Director Email:   lmartinez@cau.edu Story Idea: “Late-Night Wellness: How Extended Hours at the CAU Wellness Center Support Student Safety.” Explore how the Wellness Center’s late hours give students a safe space for exercise, stress relief, and support after dark. 2. Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Media Contact:  Sarah Matthews, Community Outreach Coordinator Email:   sarah@atlantabike.org Story Idea: “Pedal Safe: What Are Atlanta’s Initiatives Doing to Protect College Cyclists?” Investigate how local cycling advocacy affects student safety around Clark Atlanta, especially with recent bike thefts and new bike lanes. 3. CAU Office of Emergency Management Media Contact:  Michael Grant, Emergency Management Coordinator Email:   mgrant@cau.edu Story Idea: “Are Students Ready for Emergencies? Inside CAU’s Preparedness Drills and Alert Systems.” Examine how the office trains students for severe weather,...

Follow three professional journalists who cover your beat. Engage with their social media (take a screenshot).

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Take notes on a conversation you overhear that is related to someone else’s beat and share it with them.

  Date:   November 26 , 2025 Location:  Outside the Wellness Center Topic:  Student Health on Campus Conversation Notes: Two students were talking about the new stress management workshops offered by the Wellness Center. One said, “I went to the workshop last week it actually helped me learn how to manage my anxiety during finals.” The other replied, “I wish they’d advertise these things more. I only found out because a friend told me.” Both agreed that more mental health resources and drop-in counseling hours would be helpful, especially during exam season. One student mentioned wanting more healthy food options in the dining hall to support overall wellness. How I Shared: I passed these notes to Genneil Brown , who is reporting on health for their beat. I suggested that these comments could be useful for a story on the impact of mental health workshops, student awareness of wellness resources, or the connection between nutrition and student well-being.

Interview a student outside your major for their perspective on your beat. Blog about it.

  Interviewee: Kameron Britt, Business Major Blog Post: Kameron Britt shared that, as a commuter, he worries about parking lot security after evening classes. He appreciates new lighting but wishes for more patrols. He also mentioned that business students often study late in campus buildings and could benefit from more visible safety staff.

Talk with a professor about your beat (not in the MMA department or Communication Arts Division). Upload takeaways from the conversation.

P rofessor:  Dr. Lovett Marilyn , Department of Psychology Takeaways: Dr. Lovett emphasized the importance of understanding student anxiety about campus safety and suggested collaborating with counseling services to report on both physical and emotional safety. She recommended surveying students about their concerns and including their voices in stories.

Write about three trends or future projections related to your beat.

  Increased Use of Technology:  More universities are installing smart cameras and emergency call boxes to improve campus security. Mental Health & Safety Integration:  Schools are focusing more on connecting mental health support with safety resources. Student-Led Safety Initiatives:  There’s a rise in student organizations leading safety walks, peer escort programs, and awareness campaigns.

Read a local publication story that’s related to your beat (analyze it on your blog—what did it get right, what did it miss?) Make sure you list the publication.

  Publication:  Atlanta Journal-Constitution Story Title:  “Clark Atlanta University boosts patrols after campus thefts” Analysis: The article did a great job covering the university’s response to recent thefts by interviewing campus police and including student quotes about feeling safer. However, it missed giving specific data on how many thefts occurred and what areas were most affected. I think it also could have included tips for students on preventing theft and more context about trends at other Atlanta-area schools. Link:  https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/clark-atlanta-university-increases-security-wake-robberies/AOGCVKNp47mKMn3uWy5ZbN/

Take notes on a relevant conversation you overhear that pertains to your beat.

  Date:   December 3, 2025 Location:  Student Center Café     Two students were discussing the recent increase in bike thefts on campus.                                    One student said, “I can’t believe someone stole a bike right outside the library in broad daylight.”      The other replied, “Yeah, I heard campus police are going to start giving out free bike locks.”                Both agreed that more security cameras are needed, especially near the residence halls and main walkways. One student mentioned they don’t always feel safe walking back to their dorm at night,especially after late classes. They also talked about wanting more safety escorts available in the evenings. The conversation ended with one student planning to attend the upcoming SGA Town Hall to ask about campus safety measure...

Meet a possible source on your beat. Take a selfie with them and list their name, their title and email address and how they could be a source for your beat.

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] Source Name:  Dr  Stacy Robertson Title: Dean of Conduct Student Affairs Clark Atlanta University Email:  sroberson@cau.edu  How they could be a source: As Dean of Conduct Student Affairs Dr Stacy Robertson  is actively involved in student leadership and campus life. He can provide insights into how male students perceive campus safety, share information about student concerns that may not reach administrators, and help me connect with other students for interviews or story ideas. His perspective will help me report on campus safety issues that matter most to the student body.

During homecoming post about an event or something relevant to your beat that will be interesting to others. Use hashtags and pics on your Twitter/X page.

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  On Saturday, October 25th the Clark Atlanta University alumni tailgate took place on campus. This was a major event for campus life for both alumni and current students. A great time occurred where alumni celebrated with their old classmates.

Identify three hashtags related to your beat (list the most engaging threads and how they connect to your beat.)

  #CampusSafety Engaging Thread Example: A recent thread under #CampusSafety discussed universities launching new safety escort services for students walking home at night. Students and campus police shared tips and personal stories about staying safe after dark. How it connects: This hashtag is widely used by students, universities, and campus police to share safety tips, report incidents, and highlight new safety initiatives. Monitoring #CampusSafety lets you keep up with national trends and local solutions that you can report on or adapt for Clark Atlanta University. #SafeCampus Engaging Thread Example: An ongoing discussion with the #SafeCampus hashtag featured students from multiple universities sharing how emergency alert systems helped them during severe weather and campus lockdowns. University officials responded with information about system updates and resources. How it connects: #SafeCampus is often used for sharing resources, success stories, and concerns about campus s...

Identify three key people for your beat and post to blog (list names, titles, emails, social media accounts).

 Dr  Stacy Robertson  Title Dean of Conduct Student Affairs  Email: sroberson@cau.edu Intsragram: cau_thinksafe_ambassadors  1. Chief Allen Johnson Title: Director of Public Safety, Clark Atlanta University Email: ajohnson@cau.edu Twitter/X: @CAU_PublicSafety 3. Quanta Cammon  Title: President, CAU Men, Clark Atlanta University Email: quanta.cammon@students.cau.edu Instagram: @cau_men

On your Twitter/X page, follow five social media accounts related to your beat and engage with one throughout the semester. Show screenshots.

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Add your beat information to your Twitter/X page dedicated to your beat. Describe the stories you are interested in covering.

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Bio: CAU student covering #CampusSafety updates, tips, and stories about safety and security at Clark Atlanta University. Pinned Tweet: Welcome to my #CampusSafety beat! I’ll be sharing important news about security updates, campus alerts, student safety resources, and tips for staying safe at CAU. If you have a safety story or concern, DM me! #CAU #StudentVoices Stories I’m Interested in Covering: Campus security improvements and new safety programs Student experiences with safety on and around campus Emergency alerts and how students respond Events or workshops about personal safety Collaboration between students, campus police, and staff

Create five short Tweets/ X posts breaking down a beat story in simple terms. X1-strong lede X2-3 Key facts (five W’s and how) X4 -quote, statistic or source insight X5-closing takeaway.

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Tweet 1 (Strong lede): Breaking: Clark Atlanta University is increasing campus security after a recent spike in bike thefts. #CampusSafety #CAU Tweet 2 (Key fact): The new safety measures include more campus police patrols, improved lighting in parking lots, and free bike locks for students. Tweet 3 (Key fact): Incidents mainly occurred near residence halls and the library, according to university reports. Most thefts happened at night. Tweet 4 (Quote/stat): “We want every student to feel safe,” says Chief Allen. Reports show a 30% drop in thefts where new lights were installed. Tweet 5 (Closing takeaway): Students are encouraged to register their bikes and use designated racks. Safety first—let’s keep our campus secure! #SafetyTips