news pitches
news section
zinia jaswal – news editor
zinia@carillonregina.com
Hello everyone! I hope you’re all staying warm and navigating the winter semester with as much as energy as possible, with plenty of coffee of course. We’re diving into the last issue of the semester and I’ve listed some pitches below. Feel free to reach out with story tips, to claim a pitch, pitch a story of your own, or to ask any questions you might have about contributing to the Carillon by sending me an email @ zinia@carillonregina.com
To claim one of the pitches below or to pitch your own story, email zinia@carillonregina.com Articles will be due by midnight April 3, 2025, but early submissions are welcomed and encouraged, and I’m happy to talk about the interviewing, drafting, and editing process with you at any step along the way.
In your email, include your name, length of story (half page: 550-750 words, full page: 950-1,150), and angles you would like to take. If you have an idea and don’t know how to execute it, I would be happy to help network, recommend sources and resources, and aid in the writing process to help you build the strongest story possible.
The value of student centers: Carillon on the Move
If you haven’t heard the news yet, referendum questions asking the student body whether or not they support continuing to fund several student centres (The Women’s Centre, Engineers Without Borders, and URPride) have been approved by the University of Regina Students’ Union’s (URSU) board.
While this doesn’t mean that URSU can unilaterally defund all three centres, they can pose the questions to the student body, who will vote and decide on the future of the student centres in question.
With spectacularly low voter turnout in URSU’s most recent by-election and referendum, the centres might be facing a serious threat. How do students feel about the utility of the centres? Are they providing high-quality service? Do students have concerns about the work each centre is doing? What would folks like to see more/less of from student centres like URPride and the Women’s Centre?
Interview four or five students in a Carillon on the Move style article for this pitch.
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Sustainability on Campus
As environmental issues continue to dominate global conversations, students at the University of Regina are stepping up to make a difference on campus. This article will explore the various sustainability initiatives led by students, from reducing waste to advocating for greener policies on campus.
For an article on sustainability at the U of R, consider covering these points:
Interview students leaders at RPRIG or CESL center and ask them: What sustainability projects are they involved in and how do they help the environment? How do they engage with their peers to raise awareness in sustainability efforts? What challenges do they face when trying to implement eco-friendly initiatives?
Interview students and talk to them about: How do they think the campus community can better contribute to green projects? Do they feel like the university is doing enough to promote sustainability? Are students personally involved in any sustainability efforts and how do they help the environment?
This article should explore student led initiatives are making an impact on the environment. Make sure to get the names of the people you talk to and gather insights from a diverse group of students about how to make our environment better!
Accessible Education at the University of Regina
At the University of Regina, there are ongoing efforts to make higher learning more inclusive for all students, including those with disabilities. This article would explore how the university is working to ensure that all students, regardless of physical or learning challenges, have equal opportunities to succeed
Key points could include:
- Interviews with students who have benefited from accessibility programs, such as academic accommodations or adaptive technology.
- A spotlight on the Accessibility Services office and how it supports students with disabilities.
- The university’s efforts to make campus facilities more accessible (e.g., wheelchair ramps, elevators, assistive technologies in classrooms).
- The role of faculty in creating inclusive and accessible learning environments.
- Challenges that still exist and how the U of R community is working to break down these barriers.
This feature would not only highlight the strides being made but also advocate for continued improvements to ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed at university.
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Carney’s Bold Stance on U.S. Relations
In a fiery acceptance speech following his victory in the Liberal leadership race last Sunday, Mark Carney took a direct swipe at President Donald Trump, criticizing the United States’ treatment of Canada and promising that Canada’s tariffs would remain in place until the U.S. “shows us respect.” Carney further emphasized that Canadians “are always ready when someone else drops the gloves.”
As Carney prepares to take on the leadership of the Liberal Party, it’s crucial to understand what his stance means for Canada’s future, particularly for students who are often directly impacted by international policies and the political climate.
For an article on the new political era in Canada, consider exploring these areas:
- What are students’ thoughts on Canada’s current relationship with the U.S., and how do they think Carney’s leadership could impact the future of those relations? How do students view the idea of “dropping the gloves” in international diplomacy—are they in favor of a more confrontational stance, or do they believe in a more diplomatic approach? How do Carney’s comments resonate with students studying international relations, economics, or political science? Are they excited or concerned about potential trade disruptions?
Make sure to get the names of the people you talk to and gather insights from a diverse group of students, reflecting various political perspectives for the upcoming election.
How Are Students Balancing School and Work?
Many students at the University of Regina juggle part-time jobs while pursuing their studies. But how do they manage their time, and what impact does working have on their academic success?
Some students feel that having a job helps them develop essential skills, like time management and teamwork, while also giving them financial independence. However, balancing work and school can lead to burnout, with some students finding it hard to keep up with their studies.
On the other hand, some students choose to focus solely on school, believing that working while studying can negatively affect their grades or mental well-being. Is working during school really worth it? Or do students think it harms their ability to perform academically?
We’ll interview students from different faculties and years to hear their thoughts on how they manage the balancing act between work and school. We’ll also look at the types of jobs students are taking and whether their employers offer enough flexibility to accommodate their academic needs.
Making the most of your tuition $$$
While the UofR isn’t perfect, there are plenty of resources and workshops available to students at no charge. But what are they?
A few things you could talk about are:
- The CESL’s career services (this includes a resume review service, mock interviews, interview prep, etc.)
- The Student Success Centre’s workshops, tutoring, and academic advising
- The Department of English Writing Centre
- The Math and Statistics Tutoring Centre
This article might focus on how students can access these services while also talking to service providers to understand how and why they are important. You could also talk to a couple of students and ask if the services have been useful to them.
Carillon on the move!
Carillon on the move is a series for the students, about the students. It gives the opportunity to students to voice their opinions about what’s happening on campus. For example, some ideas for interview topics to ask students on could be: Do students like the food and pricing of the dining hall at Luther? Ask students about the campus gym, do students want the gym to be improved or increase facilities? How do people feel about the winter break? Was it enough time to recharge for a new semester? Where’s the best people-watching or coffee spot on campus? Which food spot do students go to after class? What do people think about URSU? What are your tips for staying cozy this winter?
You must speak to three or more students to complete the article. Make sure to ask for their full name, pronouns, program of study, and year of study in their program.
