Nearly 100 student news editors from 50 CIC member colleges and universities participated in the fourth annual Student Newspaper Editors Workshop at The New York Times in New York City on March 20, 2009.

The event, titled “Inside the Times,” provided student news editors with the unique opportunity to meet editors and reporters from the newspaper. Participants explored the role of newspapers in society, discussed all aspects of publishing, worked on their journalistic skills, and met other campus newspaper staffs from across the country.

During the day, students met with Bill Schmidt, deputy managing editor; Kathleen McElroy, deputy editor of the continuous news desk; Don Hecker, director of the Times’ Student Journalism Institute; Charles Blow, visual op-ed columnist; and photographer Fred Conrad.

“I found the workshop very intriguing and I learned a lot that I will be able to bring back to my own newspaper to help improve it as well as help improve myself as a journalist,” said Ruth Harper, editor-in-chief of the St. Bonaventure University (NY) Bona Venture. Meagan Bemis, editor-in-chief of the Eckerd College (FL) Triton, said “The New York Times is all about integrity, trust, and journalistic skill. It was truly inspiring to be in the building and hear from the individuals who set the bar for journalism as a whole.” Bemis added that students were encouraged “not to take no for an answer.” Instead, “try to learn from anyone and everything you come in contact with when seeking jobs in this highly competitive field.”

Presidents will also be offered an inside look at the Times when the CIC/NYT Partnership hosts a group of presidents on Monday, October 12, 2009. Participants will meet with reporters and editors to discuss higher education trends and ideas for future coverage, as well as plans for the 2010 Student News Editors Workshop.