IU hopes to establish a black journalist association

Sixteen determined students gathered inside the muggy Ernie Pyle Lounge Monday afternoon in hopes of establishing a student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists at IU.\nNational Association of Black Journalists is a networking organization that helps unite black journalists internationally, according to the group’s Web site. \nThere are more than 30 student chapters of the group throughout the nation, none of which are located in Indiana.\nSophomore and Indiana Daily Student writer Ashlee Green came up with the idea to bring a chapter of the group to IU.\n“I think it is important because it allows students to build communication in the outside world,” Green said.\nGreen contacted Marcia Debnam, the School of Journalism’s career services director, who is also a professional member of the organization.\nTogether, they looked up information on how to bring a student chapter to IU. \nIn order to become a chapter, the students have to go through an extensive application process, Debnam said. \nThe association’s Web site states potential student chapters must fill out an application, get a letter of recommendation from a regional director, a nomination letter from the student chapter adviser, a letter from the chapter’s president explaining the group’s goals and a nomination letter from the local professional chapter of the organization.\nStudents will then have to send a copy of the chapter’s constitution, a membership roster, a copy of the school’s newspaper, a roster showing two-thirds of potential members are eligible for National Association of Black Journalists student membership, a list of candidates for the chapter’s positions, an outline of potential chapter programs and a chapter name. All of this has to be turned in by March 1. \nThe board of National Association of Black Journalists will then decide if IU will be able to have a chapter.\nUntil then, Green is trying to rally as much support and membership as she can for the potential chapter. Green informed students about her plans through Facebook, fliers and word-of-mouth. \nSophomore Meghann Estrada attended the call-out meeting after Green told her about it. \n“(The group) is a nationally recognized organization,” Estrada said. “(It’s) always good to have a resource for networking.”\nBoth Green and Debnam said any student who has an interest in media is encouraged to join the association interest group.\n“(The potential student chapter) fills a great niche,” Debnam said. “The school 100 percent supports it.”\nAnyone who is interested in the IU chapter of National Association of Black Journalists can contact Debnam at mdebnam@indiana.edu.