CSMA Adviser Update

Please share this newsletter with any new advisers in your building or your district. We would love to get the word out about CSMA and all that we have to offer.

J-Day is going to be on October 1, which is just around the corner. This week's newsletter has details about many of the things you will want to know for planning your trip to Boulder.

The registration form is live (link below). The form will be available until Sept. 16, giving us time to finalize our plans with CU. In order to register, you will want to know a few things about your group. There are details further in the newsletter about specific areas.

1. School, Adviser, and Chaperone information.

2. CSMA Membership Status.

3. Transportation Arrangements: bus or private vehicles.

4. Number of students that are attending.

5. Lunch Plans: will your students bring lunch or plan to purchase a boxed lunch on campus.

Registration numbers can be adjusted, but it is best to be as close as possible when you register.

Registration form: LINK HERE. https://coloradosma.wufoo.com/forms/m68gsyp1sne3n0/

Did you know that registration for J-Day is $40 per attendee for members, and $50 for non-members? Our current membership fee of $65 pays for itself when you register 7 people for J-Day. That doesn't include the scholarship opportunities, contest entries, and critique that your publication receives with your membership. Fill out your membership form today to take advantage of the discounted registration. https://coloradosma.wufoo.com/forms/m98xffv010iboc/

CU has made parking arrangements for participants coming by bus or using private vehicles. We will need to know your plan when you register so that we can provide you with the correct information, and so that CU can make sure of available space. Buses will be able to drop off and pick up at Macky Auditorium and will then be parked on East Campus. Private vehicles will be parking in a reserved lot. More details will be sent to you once you have indicated your plan on your registration form.

One of our bigger challenges of J-Day is feeding over 1000 students during a regular college school day on the CU campus. In order to avoid overwhelming the college student dining options, CU is providing a private tent space and their catering department will have lunches available for purchase. The lunch will be $10. The catering area will be a cashless space, so students will need to purchase with a credit card. The lunch will include a choice of sandwich/salad, fruit, chips, cookie, and a bottle of water. This is the option that CSMA recommends.

The other option is for students to bring lunch with them. There will be space available for students to eat with their groups.

Due to time and space restraints, we do not encourage students to plan on purchasing lunch from other restaurants or dining facilities during J-Day.

CSMA will not be arranging room blocks at Boulder hotels for this event. Each school that plans to stay overnight in Boulder will need to make their own hotel arrangements. There are a few hotels near the intersection of Canyon Blvd and 28th St that would give convenient access to campus.

-Hilton Garden Inn ( link )

-Residence Inn Boulder Canyon Blvd ( link )

-Boulder Marriott ( link )

You will certainly be able to find other hotels near the campus if these do not meet your needs.

We are looking to fill 50-60 breakout session options for our students and advisers. Can we add you to the list of presenters? What session(s) will you offer this year? The session proposal form will is live (linked below) and we would love to see one from you. Sessions can cover just about any student journalism topic. News gathering, photography, layout, web design, interview skills, workroom management, sales and advertising. You can present on your own, with a partner adviser, or with a small group of your students. This is a great way to get involved and to share your valuable experiences.

Session Proposal form HERE.

Just a reminder that CSMA continues to work for you all year. Here is a brief rundown of what is happening this month:

-The Board of Directors will meet on August 31. Topics will include a budget update, a membership update, and planning for J-Day 2024 at CU Boulder.

-Critiques will be processed and emailed to advisers. Award certificates will be handed out at J-Day on Oct. 1. One more reason to come to Boulder.

-Membership rosters will be updated all month. This is a good time to remind you that the registration link for the 24-25 school year is active. RENEW NOW.

-Emails will always be answered. Best address to use is exec.director@colostudentmedia.com or coloradostudentmedia@gmail.com.

This organization exists to serve our member student journalism programs and their advisers. Let us know if you need anything.