**copy and pasted from original assignment post**
**in AP format please**
This final assignment asks you to put all the elements of this class together. You will be interviewing people, selecting quotes and writing a complete news story. Don’t be overwhelmed. If you have kept up, you are prepared for this!
Your assignment is to write a news story about how UH students and/or staff feel about the pay level of UH Chancellor Renu Khator. This is called a poll story because it’s based on the results of what people tell you. It’s not that you are conducting a research study. It’s just gathering of source reaction.
You will interview and directly quote with attribution five UH students, alum and/or staff members to gather their opinions on whether the UH chancellor’s compensation is appropriate and a good investment for the institution. You can use what you have learned through the Khator quote, lede and profile assignments as background in this article. So details about Khator’s position and background should be included throughout the article.
Resist the urge to alternate quotes and transitions only. Weave in additional facts.
Some more background:
Khator works as the chancellor for the University of Houston System, and, in 2020, had a reported pay of $946,781, according to public records. This is 1,240 percent higher than the average pay for university and college employees.
This makes her one of the highest-paid PUBLIC university presidents in the county. The U.S. president makes $400,000 per year. But about 40 university presidents in this county make more than double that.
YOU MUST REFER TO THE findings of your interviews in your story.
THE INTERVIEWS with the five sources CAN BE IN-PERSON, BY PHONE, in writing. It doesn’t really matter, although I do feel there is value in face-to-face interviews. The important part is that there is a genuine exchange of questions and answers and that you DIG a bit. You need to include their full real name, major and age. ENOUGH INFORMATION THAT I COULD FIND THE PERSON. DO NOT INVENT THE QUOTES.
In journalism, we do not “cite” work. We include attributions, as needed, as part of the indirect or direct quote. We also do not reference the interview AT ALL. No “who asked.” And certainly no “I conducted an interview …” Focus on the results, ignore the process in the writing. No we or us outside of direct quotes.
Please review ALL the guidelines and checklists in the backpack before submitting this. There is no excuse to not be writing in one-sentence paragraphs or to not properly punctuate quotes at this point.
POLL STORY MATRIX
This is your final assignment. This news article is worth 500 points. The assignment: To write a news story about reaction to Khator’s salary. At least FIVE named people (“sources”) will be directly quoted in the story, which will also contain background material about Khator’s career.
It will be organized and written as a news story and graded on the following criteria:
_____ of possible 100 points for lede. The lede is clear, concise and contains the most important elements of the story. SO, in the case of this story, it must contain how a group or individual feels about Khator’s salary. The attribution should be at the end of the sentence. It should characterize the findings, rather than use specific numbers. It can be anecdotal if you have a strong enough source to carry that. Your lede should NOT just say “Renu Khator is the chancellor of the University” or “Renu Khator earned $947,000 in 2020.”
_____ of possible 100 for AP style. Use correct AP style for numbers, titles, names and other elements throughout the story.
_____ of possible 100 for grammar and spelling. Use complete sentences and proper punctuation. No run-ons. Writing is concise and tight. Every word and sentence should move the story forward.
_____ of possible 100 for quotes. The student is expected to interview people and to pick strong, relevant quotes and to punctuate them correctly. “I’ve told you a million times that the attribution goes at the end and the punctuation goes inside the quote marks,” Radcliffe said. Also, the attribution goes at the END. Sources are introduced by first and last name and then subsequently referred to just by their LAST name.
_____ of possible 100 for overall structure. This is a news story. The organization should be logical. The most important information should come first. Transitions should be used to maneuver between sources. Background information should be sprinkled in as needed. Paragraphs should be short, one to two sentences. End the article with a direct quote. Trust me. No rambling. No first person. (No I, we, us) No opinion. There should be absolutely no reference to questions being asked or answered. Every sentence should be presenting material from the study or presenting someone’s reaction or related opinions to the research.
**some quotes i have gathered**
As a University of Houston student, I believe that compensation for university administrators, including Chancellor Khator, should be carefully considered in the context of the institution’s overall budget and priorities. While I understand that competitive compensation may be necessary to attract and retain top talent, especially for a large and complex institution like ours, it’s important to ensure that resources are also allocated effectively to support students, faculty, and staff.
It’s notable that Chancellor Khator’s reported pay is significantly higher than the average for university and college employees. While I recognize the value of strong leadership, especially in guiding the strategic direction of our university system, I also believe in transparency and accountability when it comes to executive compensation.
As a student, I would like to see a clearer explanation of how Chancellor Khator’s compensation is determined and justified, particularly in comparison to other public university presidents. It’s essential that any disparities in pay are based on factors such as performance, responsibilities, and market conditions, rather than arbitrary measures.
Ultimately, my hope is that decisions regarding executive compensation at the University of Houston are made with careful consideration for the best interests of our institution and its stakeholders, including students, faculty, and the broader community.
As a University of Houston student, I also recognize the importance of fair compensation for all employees, including faculty, staff, and administrators. While I understand that leadership roles often come with higher salaries, it’s crucial to ensure that there is equity across the university’s workforce. Disparities in pay can contribute to morale issues and create a sense of inequality among employees.
Additionally, as tuition costs continue to rise, many students are concerned about the allocation of university funds and the impact on their education. It’s essential for university leadership to prioritize investments that directly benefit students, such as academic programs, resources, and student support services.
At the same time, I acknowledge that leading a large university system like ours is a demanding and multifaceted role that requires significant skill and expertise. Effective leadership is essential for the success and reputation of the institution, which can ultimately benefit students in terms of opportunities, resources, and academic excellence.
Ultimately, as a student, I believe it’s important for there to be transparency and accountability regarding executive compensation decisions. Open communication and dialogue between university leadership and the student body can help ensure that the interests and concerns of students are taken into consideration when making decisions about executive pay.
