Columbia University SPJ

Week of February 3rd

General Meeting Notes:

  • Dean Miller has requested 2 events for masters thesis relaxation
    • One in mid-February (food and fun, conversation between students about their projects)
    • One after March 14th deadline (bigger, more fun, celebratory)
  • J-School merch
    • Working through payment issues with this– can we still do it?
    • If yes, want to involve students (design contest)

Academic Affairs Chair:

The academic affairs committee is run by Megha Gupta. Megha can be reached at mg4771@columbia.edu.
  • Working with Dean Miller on speaker series
  • Brainstorming a formal spring event (prom still #1 idea)

Student Life Chair:

The student life committee is run by Laïny Jernidier. Laïny can be reached at lainy.jernidier@columbia.edu.
  • Black History Month events
  • Maybe having a small event with food honoring Ida B. Wells
  • Working on a social media highlight for Black Journalists making an impact in the field
  • Speed friending event
    • Thursday, February 13th from 7-9:30 p.m.
    • Not sure how many tickets we have so far– free refreshments and alcohol provided by other schools
    • Happening on the Teacher’s College Campus

Speaker’s Director:

The speaker’s committee is run by Reeno Hashimoto. Reeno can be reached at rh2984@columbia.edu.
  • Finalizing details of sports panel
    • Date is TBD– aiming for late February or early March
    • Could push date to April if needed
  • Interest expressed by students for an event featuring journalists who became authors
  • Maybe working on a panel on writing satire/funny writing
  • Students expressing an interest on an event about how to approach a media-trained person
    • Looking further into this

Film/Documentary Chair:

The film/documentary committee is run by Mason Leath. Mason can be reached at mpl2159@columbia.edu.
  • Dual speakers/film event in the works
    • Screening and Q+A with director
    • Working through screening rights

Community Service Chair:

The community service committee is run by Augostina Mallous. Augostina can be reached at am6521@columbia.edu.
  • Feminine hygiene drive for Valentine’s Day with the Covenant House
    • Working through logistics
    • Drop off box or making care packages?
  • Coordinating more dates for food bank initiatives!
    • Huge success last time, want to make it a more regular thing