One of the things that has always set the Missouri Southern State University newspaper, The Chart, apart from other college and university newspapers, has been its well-established tradition of sending a reporter to cover the Missouri State Legislature.
The Chart will not send anyone to Jefferson City, and it has nothing to do with the budget. It appears that no one wants to do it this year. The list of excellent reporters who covered the state capital for The Chart includes many who have gone on to journalism careers, including Joplin Daily Editor John Hacker.
At times over the years (many times, in fact) the coverage offered by The Chart was more extensive and of a better quality than that provided by the Globe.
Hopefully, this will just be a one-year break and once again The Chart will have a presence in Jefferson City for the 2007 legislative session.
33 comments:
Very disappointing. I am sure Mr. Massa and Chad Stebbins are both very sad about the situation you describe.
Sounds like the current batch isn't up to the old level.
It's amazing that no Missouri Southern student wants an experience that will immediately set him or her apart from other job applicants.
The absence of the state news editor also hurts the university as a whole. MSSU is frequently forgotten in Jefferson City and The Chart's presence provided legislators a reminder.
This news combined with the Globe's lack of a full-time presence at the capitol suggests this area is apathetic about what is going on in Jefferson City.
I'm sure our elected officials are busy enjoying the lack of oversight.
As a former Chart member, I don't know if I should laugh or cry when I pick up the newest editions of The Chart from the Joplin Library and cringe and shake my head before I even get past the front page. How far and fast the great fall? I think the blame can be spread to all, from the top down to the lowest reporter. Rumors run rampant of dis-interest, laziness, and members divided into social castes. You know, there are boosters and alumni organizations created to safeguard an institution, be it a football team or sports arena, and ensure a certain tradition carries on from one generation to the next.
I think the Chart needs something similar.
Maybe it's time for all former Chart writers/editors from the past 20-30 years to come together and demand excellence is placed back into The Chart and the insanity stopped.
What say you?
All of us who worked on small college papers know that it takes a few VERY hard working people with passion to make it work. The absence of strong leadership leads to mediocrity, The Chart is unfortunately a prime example.
Unless the 20-30 former Chart writers are willing to return for some late night sessions slapping it all together...it will be useless to demand anything. The students will have to set their own high standards.
Once upon a time, University editors were not paid as I am told they are now. We had to have even more dedication to duty. Times, of course, were different but in my day our dedication was not reinforced with a check at the end of the month.
In these days of "cut and paste" journalism true reporting skills risk becoming a thing of the past. Even locally, we see more and more columns, more "feelgood writing" and less and less news.
Without the teaching and learning of reporting skills, we may see a repeat of the travesty that preceded the War in Iraq.
I will never forget the national television "reporters" who were really playing army, serving (knowingly or unknowingly?) as functionaries for government P.R. people who set their boundaries, provided their satellite time and even gave them their stories, some of which were not even totally true--i.e. Jessica Lynch.
Blogs are fine but most blogs are NOT journalism at its best. In most cases, they aren't journalism at all.
Perhaps someone will emerge with the desire to learn the profession as well as earn a degree. Blogs and columns are great entertainment but the mainstream media needs REAL reporters.
I have heard that the new guy in charge of the Chart lacks ambition and has no creativity whatsoever.
If that last post is true, than no wonder the Chart is in such a sad state of affairs. Chad Stebbins and Richard W. Massa always demanded the very best from us: good enough just didn't cover it. And this didn't just apply to the front page stories: whether your beat was campus, or arts and life, or city news, or the state house, or whatever, Chad demanded the best from you. And Mr. Massa did the same while he was adviser.
No, I never was the state capitol reporter. That distinction went to others during my time at the Chart while I toiled in the City News vineyards. But eliminating that post is like saying "serious journalism doesn't matter to today's reader." And that, to quote Sean Penn in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," is bogus.
And about the former Chart editors getting together for a "booster club" meeting, I have two questons: when and where?
Before you start writing in, I do realize I was grammatically incorrect in my "than no wonder" phrasing. It should read "then it is no wonder".
Mr. Massa would kill me if he saw that.
John
You are forgiven, Fohn Jord.
Meeting next week.
No one has made mention of Rhonda Clark. During her brief advising career at The Chart, the paper won numerous awards and even went on to win nationals. During that time (which wasn't too long ago) editors and writers on staff cared deeply about the paper. They didn't care how late they were up getting the paper finished - they were proud of their product.
I've seen first-hand how The Chart has become a system of social cliques. The editors there care more about their egos than their staff - they won't even give their staff writers the time of day! If the paper is to become what it once was, the editors of the paper need to lead by example. If editors want respect, they should start acting respectable.
As former Chart members who care, we should be corresponding with the current members. Send them your critiques, concerns, questions and quibbles. Do any of them even read this blog? Probably not! Let's tell them what they need to do to improve and hopefully they'll listen.
The rumors I've heard concerning the sloth-like movement by current Chart members with the terrible death of MSSU coach Ware has me convinced something is dreadfully wrong with the Chart, its editors, its overall mindset and the morale of the newsroom. I don't even want to think about how the student reporters under them, students who need guidance to make it in the cut-throat world of "real journalism," are coping with the situation.
I like the idea of a Chart Alumni forming and paying annual dues to "protect" the sanctity of the Chart and its glorious past.
While all of us may not be able to do much with the current crop of Chart editors (though letting them read these various comments could be the swift kick in the ass some of 'em apparently need), I think we could be of influence when it comes to selecting a new hands-on "advisor" -- someone from the "old school," who knows the Chart inside and out, worked until bleeding to get the paper out on those all-nighters, sipping coffee and injecting caffeine straight into their veins to ensure that particular Chart edition was the best possible "collective" effort possible. Maybe even good enough to nab a Pacemaker. I have a few folks in mind (JR, Rick R., C. Hayworth - any of you guys listening?).
Maybe this should be discussed at the next get-together for the annual Communications Dept. banquet. Maybe this will force many of us to actually attend the damn thing.
Let's do it for the Chart.
Anyone been reading the paper lately?
What's with the column on the arts page? Everything the girl writes about has nothing to do with entertainment. That goes on the OPINION page.
There are probably... what, 20-25 formers Chart editors/writers working in various capacities dotting the Joplin area, right? Neosho, Carthage, the Joplin Globe and JoplinDaily.com, Liberty Publishing, etc.
Why can't we all gather together during an afternoon next week or the week after on the MSSU campus, and, as a collective mass, pay a visit to the Chart office and ask T.J. and some of the current Chart editors why the things that made the Chart so good -- made it win the Pacemaker, made it bloody the nose of those MU snobs -- have suddenly been flushed down the toilet?
Maybe a group of hardened and crusty journalists, who sharpened their teeth on the Chart and have "made it" in the world, would help open some eyes there and improve the overall product?
O.K. I've heard tales about the Chart of the past but believe me, there is no inspiration in the present from "the guy in charge" and even less from the other person who has taught newswriting class. That's why I transferred to another school. Don't blame the staff, blame the people who hire these goofballs.
I am considering a blog to continue this discussion. Any suggestions as to a name to post under? You can send them to SavetheChart@hotmail.com
Hello all! I am the managing editor on The Chart. Now I'm not writing to go off or anything like that, it's truly not necessary. As a third semester writer for The Chart I will be the first to say I still have lots of work to do, but for what I do I work my butt off! As far as the comments go it is always easy to complain, than to give a solution. As many of you former Chart members know, we do have an email address and the office is always open. Stop by sometimes. We'd appreciate it.
Mr. Managing Editor, you can start by doing your job and running the story on the death of Dean Maupin in THIS WEEK'S NEWSPAPER!!!!!!!!!!!! To hold this story because what your editor told me on the phone is due to "a small staff and limited resources" is unacceptable. You guys want to be professional journalists - act like it! I wouldn't hire any of you!
Managing Editor of the Chart - I commend you for posting. Now, get your senior editors and especially your advisor to hover over your shoulder to read each and every one of these comments, and then to respond as to why the Chart is little more than a "last resort" toilet wipe right now. Who knows? Maybe some good dialogue can come out from all of this and you guys can implement a few suggestions and get the chugging machine back on track.
I hope so, for the Chart's sake.
Rick Rogers -- LOVE the idea about the blog. I'll be going there soon.
Wow. Rick is pissed. I am not, but I am disappointed. He and I have both been in that newsroom late. We know and appreciate the HARD work that goes into publishing The Chart. Take some time and talk to Kaylea Hutson of Joplindaily.com. No Chart editor worked longer or harder every day at improving herself and the paper. Hard work should show improvement. That being said...
Get with the program! I learned from people like Chad Stebbins, Christopher Clark and Richard Massa (The hardest working man in ANY business). What I learned is that news happens. It happens fast. It happens at inconvenient times. It also gets covered. And it gets covered well.
If you want suggestions, we are happy to offer some. But the principal one is this: Cover the darn news. If it happens on a Monday, Tuesday OR Wednesday, it goes in the paper. Check your morgue and read anything from 1988-2000. Those were some good years. If you can take it, read earlier stuff by Rob Smith, Daphne Massa, Chad Stebbins...that list is endless. That research is my next suggestion.
Scorecard:
Death of Coach Ware: dropped ball. Death of Dean Maupin: dropped ball. Reporter sent abroad for Mexico Semester: dropped ball. State News: The worst dropped ball in the history of The Chart.
In the past, every editor handed the paper to their successors in a better condition than they received it. It will take a heck of a rally this year to make that happen.
Just like Rick Rogers to jump in and start a blog when Randy was the one who really got the ball rolling on this. Why not just keep the discussion here. For all of the good reporters who came out of MSSC and MSSU, I think the best one didn't ever work for the Chart but came out of the university's education department. Keep up the great work, Randy. And Rick, don't you have enough to do taking care of the Neosho Daily and doing the sports work for the Joplin website?
Apparently the Chart's first edition of the new semester comes out Friday. You guys want a test on where the Chart stands? Pick it up an edition and see if they have a story on Mr. Maupin. A little bird told me they're putting this story off until next week - or, 9 days from now. Surely this isn't the case. I understand about getting the paper to bed and getting it to print on Thursday, but surely they'll - AT THE VERY LEAST - put in a hard news story, or a lengthy blurb, or bio or hell, even an obit! I'll roll around on the floor with convulsions if I read Friday's edition from cover to cover and don't read anything about Maupin's passing. Then I'll know for sure that some of the things posted on this site by Chart alums are TRUE.
Current Chart editors (for contact purposes):
• T.J. Gerlach, senior editor
• Jessica MacIntosh, editor-in-chief
• Nate Billings, executive editor
• Auriel Brown, managing editor
• Adam Fast, director of photography.
• Andy Tevis, design editor.
• Parker Willis will, Diversions editor.
• Scott Hasty, International Editor.
• Kathleen Cunningham, assistant editor.
• Dwayne Mactavious, online editor.
• Chris Smith, assistant sports editor.
The Chart was a great newspaper once, that is true. But to blame its current stagnation on University staff is only partially fair. The adviser to the Chart is really not supposed to make editorial decisions. While I commend past advisers, Chad Stebbins and Rhonda Clark, for example, on the greatness of the newspaper under their tutelage, they really overextended their responsibility at times.
So the blame, if that is the proper word, really should be in the hands of the students.
That said, I also agree that some oversight is often necessary. I have no patience with important stories, such as the deaths of a former Dean and the football coach, being put on the back burner. These guys are soft.
But I happen to know that the previous newswriting instructor did not advise the Chart and should not be blamed for anything that did or did not appear there. Go wash your mouths out with soap.
So let me get this straight: Dean Maupin died on Sunday and The Chart isn't getting that into the issue that went to press Wednesday?
Really?
If the Managing Editor is still monitoring this blog, can he please explain that rationale?
I have a question: Is Chad Stebbins still not the de facto adviser to The Chart? Then why isn't he stepping in and making the staff shape up? Where has he been in all this?
I think before everyone wants to hurl epithets at the present staffer and his teaching, they need to ask Where's CHAD????
I have a question: Is Chad Stebbins still not the de facto adviser to The Chart? Then why isn't he stepping in and making the staff shape up? Where has he been in all this?
I think before everyone wants to hurl epithets at the present staffer and his teaching, they need to ask Where's CHAD????
The Chad Stebbins question is popular right now. For a good answer check out Rick Rogers' blog at www.savethechart.blogspot.com
Missouri Southern's faculty/staff weekly newsletter had a story about Dean Maupin's death--as well as a photo. It's online at:
http://www.mssu.edu/accents/accents2006/accents01-27-06.htm
So, let me get this straight.
The TV boys, a few local radio pukes, the MSSU Accents, the Globe and JoplinDaily.com with several strong stories each with coverage of Maupin's death.
What did the Chart have concerning Dean Maupin as far as coverage is concerned on their own campus, probably the biggest news to HIT the campus since the unfortunate death of Mr. Ware????
A lead story online about the... um... the minor league Cardinals coming to the campus. (Rah! Rah! Shake those pompoms!)
So, we have a paper published 2 days after his death, and there's nothing in print. Nothing.
(shaking head sadly)
Can you even CALL this drivel they print journalism anymore?
The Globe wrote something about Maupin's death? If it was something other than the paid obit, I missed it.
chartwatcher.blogspot.com pointed that out (Accents scoops Chart on campus) first thing this morning.
The Ware story was also late.
Here's the fun one: Did you folks know the mayor of Bethlehem (and not PA) was on campus in Oct.? The Chart found out about it on a Tues. morning (like with Ware and Maupin)and ran nothing. Way to nail that international thing, guys.
chartwatcher also had some nice comments and listed stories we should all watch for next week. Culled, incidentally, from The Charts own pages.
oops. Its on chartwatchers.blogspot.com
with an s
To all Chart alumni,
I posted the following on Rick's savethechart.blogspot.com site as well:
I will be coming in town on Monday evening (late) and staying until Thursday afternoon. All of you yahoos need to figure out some time to invade Pizza by Stout or some other "health food" place for dinner.
Wed, Feb. 1 is my birthday, too. So any gifts are welcome. As always cash and beer are acceptable.
I think it would also be nice if we got together and took some pizzas or something to The Chart office in person and showed them that we are not a horde of antichrists.
I don't think we have given the impression that we are approaching this from a "how can it get better?" motivation.
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