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Experts analyzed political trends, anchors delivered up-to-the-minute results, and a panel discussion held court on issues like same-sex marriage and violent video games. Behind the scenes, producers scrambled to make sure pre-recorded spots were on cue for air. Elsewhere, a trailer served as the command center to make sure everything else went as planned.
Sound like CNN? It’s not. Fox News? Wrong again.
For many Lafayette students and faculty and other viewers off campus Nov. 7, a studio inside Pfenning Alumni Center served as election central during ENvision, the College’s first-ever, undergraduate run, live election broadcast.
The event, which was sponsored by the new Policy Studies program and guided by consultants from MBC Teleproductions of Allentown, was kicked-off at 9 p.m. with comments from President Daniel Weiss.
For a little more than two hours, anchors Megan Zaroda ’07 (Easton, Pa.), who has an individualized major in political communication, Meghan Baker ’07 (Medford, N.J.), an English and government & law double major, and Jayne Miller ’10(Bethel, Pa.), steered the broadcast through a montage of issue-oriented and student-reported stories. There were results perspectives from pundits including alumni political commentator Jeffrey D. Robinson ’80, and a bevy of other features more commonly found on national political broadcasts.
Also aired throughout the evening were pre-recorded, student-produced segments that focused on various issues of the day. Included were takes on Pennsylvania’s gambling legislation, banning of violent video games, negative campaigning, and an examination of various ballot initiatives.
The broadcast caught the attention of WPVI-TV Action News anchor Jim Gardner, who gave it a rave review.
“I was blown away by the quality of the effort, its seriousness of purpose, the high level of political insight, the fine production values of the program, and the scope of the presentation,” Gardner said. “I thought the students did a truly wonderful job addressing national issues, but never losing sight of the importance of local concerns. [The] student journalists did an especially superb job contextualizing the election from the point of view of the young voter. It was particularly interesting listening to Lafayette students throughout the broadcast express their opinions and concerns, or for that matter, whether or not they feel the political process speaks to them at all. I can only imagine the preparation that went into this project, and the amount of learning that took place. Perhaps most importantly, the students’ obvious enjoyment and pride came jumping off the screen.”
According to organizer Mark Crain, William E. Simon Professor of Political Economy and chair of Policy Studies, 45 segments were originally produced, with 18 or so making the final cut for Tuesday’s broadcast. Crain said he was very pleased with the students’ hard work.
“I felt like it was really well coordinated. The students just came out and rose to the occasion,” he said.
During the broadcast, the action was presented on the new jumbo scoreboard at Fisher Field, over the College’s internal network, on the web site as a web cast, and on RCN Channel 4 off campus. Outside the alumni center on Bourger Plaza, spectators were able to watch the show and partake in refreshments and political dialogue on a night that was perfect for outdoor election coverage viewing.
“I’m really impressed with the initiative the students have taken. I’m happy to see such a broad range of opinions from students, faculty and the politicians themselves,” said Meghan Morel ’07 (Williston, Vt.), a government & law and economics & business double major. “I’m highly impressed. I’ve never seen this type of broadcast on any campus.”
Morel joined a nice-sized crowd of students and faculty who observed the show throughout the evening. About 50 or so were present outside at any given time, and all gave high marks to the broadcast quality.
Those looking for any technical glitches or blooper-reel flubs would have been disappointed at the seemingly flawless execution of the coverage.
“I think things are going quite well. The students have been learning valuable lessons, and not just the ones you see on the jumbotron but the ones who helped bring the project to fruition,” James Lennertz, associate professor of government and law, said. “I’m very pleased with the way that all the students are involved. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for them.”
As with any broadcast production, the public doesn’t get to see some of the behind-the-scenes people to whom Lennertz referred. But the students who helped put the show together were well aware of the chance they had been given to learn more about broadcasting and politics.
The job of making sure all the varied aspects of the broadcast came together fell largely on the shoulders of Karen Ruggles ’08 (Easton, Pa.), the student producer and captain in charge of the command center.
“It was scary how smoothly it went,” said Ruggles, a double major in English and art. “The talent that participated from Lafayette was phenomenal. All the anchors did a great job. It’s so comforting to see so many Lafayette students so eager to take part in this political conversation.”
In addition to learning about the production end of broadcast television, an area Ruggles would like to work in after graduation, she said she received an in-depth education as well on the political process.
She also praised the college for providing all the resources needed to stage a successful production.
“This experience has allowed me to look at this potential career path in a whole new light. It was a lot of fun,” she said. “It just brought out the best in people.”
From her anchor desk, Zaroda also was able to view her career interest from a new light.
She not only had to be able to handle the pressure of pulling off a live news broadcast but also was able to gain different perspectives on politics and TV production.
“I think it was a really great experience,” she said. “This was an excellent start for us in this field. I have to admit, I was a little nervous but everything just worked out.”
Like many others present for the show, Zaroda said she would like to see Lafayette take another stab at election coverage, perhaps in the presidential election in 2008.
Crain said he would have to take a look at the production and the feedback it will generate before deciding whether to take on the challenge again in two years.
He said the whole process has been a learning experience for him as much as it was for the students.
“Any professor will tell you, when you have to get up and teach, is when you really learn,” he said.
Nicole Crain, visiting professor of economics and business, described the process as “exhilarating” and hopes to see the coverage become a cornerstone for future endeavors at Lafayette.
“My expectations were high because I know the students worked so hard. I was delighted actually,” she said. “This will help the students so much when they hit the job market and have to be able to talk to people on different levels. I think it’s a great thing. I would love to do it again.”
Kyle deCant ’10 (Orange, Conn.) also said he would like to see Lafayette give it another go in the future.
“I think it’s really great that the college is doing something to be politically active,” he said. “It’s a great idea. It would be cool if they did this for the 2008 election.”