News

Student media meet in capital

Panelists Kenn Marshall, Matt Hess, Dennis Buterbaugh and Jan Murphy talk to students. Dr. Laurie Miller / The Clarion Call

Harrisburg, Pa. – Delegates from the student media organizations of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities met in Richards Hall at Dixon University in
Harrisburg Nov. 9. The delegates met with PASSHE Chancellor John Cavanaugh and numerous media professionals to discuss career goals, student media resources and
competitive job market climates.

Cavanaugh opened up the summit by discussing the strategic initiatives shared by his office and the PASSHE policy-setting Board of Governors.

Cavanaugh said ease of access and registration efficiency are a top priority for his office.

“More than 40 percent of our students take classes at more than one PASSHE university,” said Cavanaugh, “and we need to make this easier.

Cavanaugh said he would like to see guaranteed transference of credits between the 14 state funded schools and the community colleges.

This year’s state budget allocations for higher education have many administrators unsure of the availability of funding for the state schools. Cavanaugh said his office has been
focusing on “getting new sources of revenue, and getting rid of unnecessary legal restrictions.”

Faculty and staff at PASSHE schools are not permitted to create for-profit companies within the university to subsidise budget gaps, Cavanaugh said.

“It’s difficult to do that and maintain faculty postions, if they have a connection,” Cavanaugh said, “and if they derive benefit, they can’t do it.” He said he would like to repeal those
restrictions.

Representatives from the Harrisburg media circuit talked with students about the rewarding challenges of making a career in the media.

They said recent graduates will have to compromise and struggle to secure their first positions in the competitive job market.

“Be willing to spread your wings and fly,” Jan Murphy said. Murphy is the Capitol Bureau chief at The Patriot-News in Harrisburg. She covers the state legislature and higher
education issues. Before securing her current position, Murphy worked for three other media entities.

“If you have a passion for something, then you can do it,” said Dennis Buterbaugh, consumer reporter for ABC-affiliate WHTM-TV Channel 27 in Harrisburg. An Indiana University
of Pennsylvania graduate, Buterbaugh began his career at Channel 27, then worked at several radio stations and another television station before returning to Channel 27.

Some students also had the chance to tour the offices of The Patriot-News after the summit.

Local News Editor Susan Anthony said with a new location and a 50 percent reduction in staff, the daily newspaper has specialized to meet local needs and stay solvent in the
current and changing climate of media consumption.