Danielle Lynch '07 Photo Courtesy of Bloomsburg: The University Magazine

Danielle Lynch ‘07 sat at her office desk and read over notes in deep concentration, while writing an article for The Daily Local News based in West Chester, Pa. She covers a news beat which includes a couple school districts and other areas in Chester County.

The newspaper industry is struggling to survive with advertising and sales revenue significantly down and layoffs becoming a common occurrence. It is a trying time to be a print journalist.

Nevertheless, Lynch has seen early success in her career consisting of two years as a news reporter for the publication. She earned several awards in her short career as a journalist for co-writing a four-part series about poverty in Chester County.

These awards include an honorable mention from the Suburban Newspapers of America, a first place award from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors for best example of public service, a first place award from the Philadelphia Society of Professional Journalists, and a third place honor from the Philadelphia Press Association.

She credits her success to Bloomsburg University’s on-campus media which provided her with helpful knowledge and experience. She worked at The Voice newspaper, and spent two years with Spectrum Magazine where she was executive editor during her senior year.

The BU alumna portrayed classic journalistic qualities of curiosity and resourcefulness in the newsroom as she prepared for her next story. “Sure we can talk off the record, I am just fishing around right now,” Lynch said as she communicated over the phone with a source. Her latest story concerns how administrators at a local elementary school treat students with special needs.

Presently, times are changing for journalists and newspapers as the industry has terminated print editions in a several large U.S. cities this year including The Rocky Mountain News in Denver, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Major cities still have newspapers for now, but many papers are facing possible bankruptcy, according to a research report titled 2009 Project for Excellence in Journalism done by the PEW Research Center. While news is displayed on TV or the Internet; the print industry has tried to respond by putting its content online. Still this has done little to help the economic issue.

There are many factors that explain the current downfall of newspapers. But, the main reason arguably is due to the economic recession. During 2008, about 5,000 full-time jobs were cut in newsrooms, PEW reports. The research also predicts the trend will continue in 2009 as it expects 20-25% fewer newsroom employees than in 2001. Although, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) states, “The continued demand for news will create some job opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Lynch arrived at the elementary school where she planned to report about a private meeting to be held between the principal and the parents of the special needs children. Lynch radiated with confidence and showed courage as she approached the distressed parents.

Also joining Lynch at the potential news scene was a local NBC10 broadcaster. The representatives of two different media worked together, observing and taking notes about answers to the other reporter’s questions.

Electronic media, more specifically TV broadcast, often attract viewers because they add brief video and emotion to news. Their condensed style allows a station to cover numerous stories in a short amount of time. Cable news has seen its audience size increase by almost 40% and therefore profits have grown by a third in 2008 according to the DOL.

Will newspapers be around in the next five or 10 years? The answer relies on whether the industry can find a way to rebound from its current crisis.

“I will put my own slant on it,” Lynch said with assurance, mindful that she will compete over an audience with media competition of the NBC10 show to air prior to her article.

This story was assisted by the author’s job shadow experience on Monday, May 18, 2009.

“It would be awesome to go somewhere warm for spring break, but I’m working the whole time to make money,” said freshman Tom Mott. He isn’t the only one in that boat. According to a recent survey by BU Now, 65 percent of students had chosen to stay home and/or work, only about 45 percent were actually going on a trip, and just one of those people was traveling out of the country.

Some students actually went on family trips instead of on a trip with friends.

“My family has always gone somewhere for spring break, and even if we didn’t, I probably wouldn’t go somewhere, because I would have to pay for it,” said freshman Erin Murphy.

A lot of students don’t have a job during the semester, so they can focus on studies. This means two things: They don’t have money for a trip, and they need to work during break. So, a lot of people going on trips, are may not paying the expenses.

For those students who have a job waiting for them when they go home for breaks and holidays, the money they make is used for other things, such as food and clothes.

“I’d rather work during break to make money, so I can buy things for this summer, which is right around the corner, anyway,” said sophomore Kaity Black. “Why waste money to go somewhere warm, when it will be warm in, like three months?”

In addition to there only being seven weeks of classes after break, many think the beginning of March is too soon to go anywhere nice. Spring break happens to fall early this year, discouraging some from traveling south. “Even if you go to Florida, it’s not going to be as warm as it would be in a month from now. I don’t want to go somewhere and not get tan,” said sophomore Melissa Hetner.

Many take advantage of our early break and visit friends from other schools, since their breaks are later than Bloomsburg’s.

“I haven’t seen my friend since last summer, and I probably wouldn’t have seen her again until this summer, so I figured I would go visit her at Delaware University,” said junior Erica Gilmore.

Most schools’ spring breaks are a week or two later, so this is the perfect opportunity to go somewhere different without breaking the bank. If students are able to stay in their friend’s dorm or house, then the only expenses are gas and food, if they go somewhere other than the campus eating facilities.

“It’s a change of scenery, and now I can finally see what my boyfriend’s campus looks like,” said freshman Corrin Sternberg. “His campus actually has a dollar-movie theatre, so it’s an inexpensive date,”

Of course there are some students who are looking forward to just sitting around and doing nothing. “I feel like all I’ve been doing since the semester started is studying, so I’m excited to just do nothing and catch up on some books and movies,” said Meagan Robinson before break.

Many students feel the economy isn’t affecting them; however, it influences their decisions more than they realize. But, don’t fret! Summer is right around the corner. Instead of spending money on an expensive trip, pool memberships and backyards with beach towels and ipods are always less expensive.

A few years ago, graduating college would have signified the moment a student enters the workforce. However, the current economy is halting students in their tracks on their way to career success. Keeping a job is difficult enough, but finding one at the moment is even more troublesome. Bloomsburg University students, from freshmen to seniors, are feeling the impact of the recession like a weight hanging on their shoulders.

This past January proved to be one of the worst months of the recession, which began in December 2007. According to the NY Times, nearly 600,000 jobs disappeared in January alone. The unemployment rate has risen to 7.6 percent, which is up from 7.2 percent from the previous month.

This is the time of year when seniors begin looking into careers or applying to graduate school. However, the failing economy is heavy on their minds. There are less jobs available, especially at entry level. As if graduate school was not already expensive enough, tuitions around the country are increasing. In addition, college graduates are finding that an increasing number of career tracks are now requiring graduate school, when they may not have been in the recent past.

Chris Johnson, a senior at Bloomsburg and a Community Assistant (CA) in Elwell Hall, admits he is feeling the pressure of the economy. He is a sociology major and plans to attend graduate school after graduating from Bloomsburg. “Hey, we’re already in a bad economy,” Johnson says, “I might as well take out another loan.”

When the economy began going south, Johnson thought ahead on how to save money. “That’s one reason why I became a CA,” Johnson says. For being a guide and role model for other students, he receives free room-and-board in the residence halls as well as biweekly checks.

Carol Barnett, Director of the Career Development Center located in the Student Services Center says, “Students are often concerned about job hunting, whether the economy is good or bad.” But she admits that the job market has become “tougher” since the economy has been slipping. Students Barnett meets with are more afraid of the unknown than anything else. Graduating college and finding a serious job is something they have never experienced before. Life after university life is often referred to as “the real world” and this term can be intimidating.

Think of it this way: In order to get hired, a position needs to be available. For this to happen, an employee has to leave that position. And for an employee to leave a current job, there needs to be another job open for them to go to. The entire job market has a trickle-down effect.

Barnett advises that students need to find more creative ways of employment, such as expanding their job search geographically as well as industrially. Instead of being headstrong about working near their home, the recession may call for students to open their minds to other places several cities, even states, away. Students should even be open to working in different fields of their major.

Most students fresh out of college have much less experience in their field of interest than do people who have been working at it for years. Consequently, students may want to become interns or accept a temporary position before searching for a long-term job. That way, when they do begin looking into jobs, their experience will get them hired more easily. “Do I think it’s serious? Yes,” Barnett says. “ But I do believe everyone will end up fine.” Patience is an important piece in looking for a job. Becoming unnecessarily stressed is unhealthy, especially in a situation where the economy is at fault, not the student.

Underclassmen are feeling the pressure as well. Although not as profound, it is unsettling to a freshman just entering college. Being away at college and independent from any parent figure for the first time can be daunting. Now along with the recession comes the distress of handling a bank account.

Theresa McInaw, a freshman, is struggling to keep money in her wallet. “I’m living off the money I made at my summer job,” She says, “The price of everything is increasing as the money in my bank account decreases. I try not to waste money on things I don’t need, but it’s tough to adjust to.”

The recession has been preying on people of all ages, and college students are definitely feeling the pressure. Between worrying about the job market after graduating, and paying for increased tuition and living expenses, Bloomsburg University students are concerned and hard pressed for cash. It is important to remember to try to relax and be patient because you are not the only one struggling. The guy behind you at Starbucks and the girl on the treadmill next to you are worrying about the same thing.

With the effects of the economic downturn hitting the state of Pennsylvania, college students are wondering how the crisis will influence tuition costs.

This question, and others, were all addressed in a letter sent by President Soltz to all students and faculty. The letter was sent via email late in the morning of Jan. 29.

The Voice reported on a similar press release by the Office of Communications in the Jan. 22 issue of the The Voice. Soltz’s letter spoke in response to many of the issues discussed in the press release.

Of these issues, he spoke of the fact that the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education was asked by Gov. Ed Rendell to return $22 million, or 4.25 percent, of their state funding for the year. Soltz stated that this $22 million included $1.6 million from Bloomsburg University. “I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to minimize the impact of these budget cuts on our mission of teaching and learning,” said Soltz.

When addressing the hiring freeze of certain positions at BU, as well as a salary freeze for all non-union employees, Soltz reassured faculty by adding, “The good news is that we do not anticipate any layoffs.”

Soltz encouraged all students to research possible scholarships and take advantage of any they qualify for. The application deadline is listed as Feb. 6.

Planned renovations on Bakeless Center for the Humanities and Nelson Field House will continue as scheduled, said Soltz. According to the letter, these renovations were approved and funded before the current economic situation.

According to Soltz, the bid for the Nelson Field House renovations came in more than 20 percent less than budgeted.

Renovations will also proceed in the original portion of Hartline Science Center, which Soltz says is being funded using reserve money which has been saved over several years and maintenance funds provided by the state.

Soltz also spoke of renovations to the campus that will be in accordance with a Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement. These renovations are expected to save the university $100,000 in energy costs per year. These include energy-efficient lighting across campus, and new, more eco-friendly boilers used to heat certain buildings on campus.

Soltz also reiterated the press release mentioned earlier by emphasizing the fact that PASSHE has kept tuition increase below inflation in recent years.

At the end of his letter, Soltz repeated a quote from President Barack Obama’s recent inauguration speech about the challenges the country must face. He then added, “We will certainly be successful in meeting the challenges we face at Bloomsburg University.”

Soltz concluded by welcoming any comments, suggestions and ideas to be sent to him at president@bloomu.edu.

This letter can be read on bunow.bloomu.edu and links to both the letter and the video are posted on the BU Today page.

Richer has worked at EMTEC in Marlton, New Jersey, for 13 years, and he considers himself a valuable employee because of his experience.  When he arrives at work this Monday morning, though, he is told his job will be relocating some of its employees, and he is one of them.  The new location is in Springfield, New Jersey, a two-hour commute from his home in Shamong, New Jersey.  This would mean a total of 800 miles a week spent commuting to work, and no longer coaching his son and daughter.

“I couldn’t afford to buy an apartment in North Jersey to live during the work week, and even if I could afford it, I wouldn’t want it.  My biggest concern, of course, is for my family,” Richer said. “I have a daughter who graduated a year ago from Rutgers University still living at home, a 21-year-old son at home, a 16-year-old son, and 13-year old-daughter, and then of course my wife.  You like to think at 52 years of age that you have a stable job. I have a family vacation in Vermont planned in January. The news didn’t arrive at an opportune time.”

EMTEC was firing and relocating many of their employees due to the slowing economy. “It wasn’t worth it for me to relocate to the office in Springfield,” Richer said. “My real pleasure with this job is having the ability to leave at 3 p.m. and get home and watch my kids do what they love.  I like to be able to take part in what is going on with my family.  I look forward to seeing my older son and daughter come home from work and talk to them about what is going on in their lives.”

Richer declined the new job location, and in turn lost his job with EMTEC.  Luckily, he was recently hired for a position as an inside sales representatibe at Clearswift in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.  Clearswift is the world’s leading provider of content security software for email and the web.  He started at his new position on Monday, December 1, 2008.

“My new job at Clearswift will be identical to what I was doing for EMTEC,” Richer said. “But it will be a new experience with different employees and a different boss.  I consider my family and myself lucky that I found a new job so quickly, especially at my age.  I lucked out this time. I worry for the other employees at EMTEC who were laid off and have not yet found a replacement job.”