About the Workshop

At the Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop, high school students from around the U.S. work together with the guidance of professional journalists to produce stories, photos and broadcasts. Here are some frequently asked questions about the workshop.

Looking for information before you get to the conference? Check here:

What forms and procedures am I required to do before getting to the conference?

Medical and Emergency Contact Information Form: This form provides medical information about the participant as well as contact information for a parent/guardian in case of emergency. You must complete this form in order to attend the workshop.

Indentification and Medical Treatment Form: This form includes medical and insurance information. You will also be providing any medical information necessary, as well as your emergency contact information. You must complete this form in order to attend the workshop.

Transportation Information Form: Each workshop participants is responsible for making his or her own travel arrangements to and from Columbia, Missouri. Please review carefully all of the information on this form and let us know as soon as possible if there are any changes in your travel plans.

Photo/Video Release Form: This form provides consent for your image and work to be used in publication in any medium and releases the University of Missouri, the Missouri School of Journalism, and the Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop from liability relating to the release of this information.

Workshop Fee: The workshop fee of $650 (your $25 application fee has been applied to your account) is due in full no later than May 31, 2019. If you have been awarded financial aid, you will need to complete the Financial Aid Agreement and return it instead of payment. -Check/money order -Credit/Debit Card

Deadline for all forms and procedures: May 31, 2019

What should I bring?

Approximately $100 to buy your lunches for the week
Some spending money (for snacks/souvenirs/recreation)
A laptop computer - if you have a laptop it is necessary that you bring it. However, DO NOT purchase one just for the workshop.
At least one flash drive
Writing pens and pencils (we will provide a notebook)
Rainwear and/or umbrella – it usually rains during the workshop, and you will be walking across campus every day
Comfortable shoes – you will do LOTS of walking every day (also, bring Band-Aids for any blisters!)
A blanket for your dorm room – the dorm will provide bed linens, but rooms are air- conditioned and can be cold.
A light jacket or sweater as some rooms on campus are cold
Shower shoes
Cell phone
Students interested in photography should bring their digital camera equipment. Only digital cameras are used during the workshop.

What is the dress code?

Think business casual — not campus casual. Clothes that are too tight, too skimpy or too revealing are not appropriate.
Reporters and photojournalists should not wear shorts or T-shirts while on duty or during extended periods of time in the newsroom.
Jeans can be worn as long as they do not have holes.
Flip flops and casual sandals should not be worn while on duty.
T-shirts, caps and other articles of clothing with emblems, advertisements and Greek insignia are inappropriate for everyone.
Exposed bellies and shoulders are inappropriate.
Jewelry should be tasteful and unobtrusive.
Students will be conducting interviews and, in some cases, doing on-camera work. While dress clothes aren’t necessary, collared shirts and more business-like attire would be suitable.

Casual school clothes are appropriate for the workshop classes. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking quite a bit every day. However, for students in the MUJW, when you are working in the Columbia Missourian newsroom, you must adhere to its professional dress code below:

Newsroom (Missourian and KOMU-TV) Dress Code

No shorts or jeans
No skimpy tops that expose the shoulders or midriff
No sweatshirts, sweatpants or t-shirts
No baseball caps or other hats
No athletic shoes
No flip-flops or ultra-casual sandals
No tattoos or visible piercings (other than one pierced earring per ear)
No clothes that are too tight, too skimpy or too revealing

Recommended clothing includes:

Male students - dress slacks or khakis; a collared business causal shirt; if you want; moderately professional shoes and socks.

Female students – dress slacks or skirts; blouse or sweater; summer dress; moderately professional shoes. If newsroom personnel do not like what you are wearing they will send you to the dorm to change. Continual violation of the dress code could result in our sending you home from the workshop.

What are the rules?

This is our 49th workshop for MUJW, the second for MUJW and the first for MAPRW and we've found that treating the students as professional journalists and strategic communicators works best. This requires that students conduct themselves in a professional manner as well. Because these are serious workshops, we are quite strict when enforcing our rules to ensure that students to get the most out of it. We also want students to be safe at all times. Please be aware of the following expectations for every participant:

Plagiarism or unethical work practices will not be tolerated.
Students will be on time for instruction.
Students will be respectful to editors, to staff, and to each other.
Students will follow all rules in laboratories and classrooms and when working with equipment.
Students will meet all deadlines.
Students will wear their name tags at ALL times.
Students will follow the workshop dress code (see below). This is mandatory and you will be sent home for violations.
Students will use cell phones for business only and to check in with parents. Dorm counselors will not allow late night cell phone talk sessions or cell phones will be confiscated. These same rules apply to personal computers or tablets.
Students will adhere to the residence hall curfew.
Male students are not allowed in female living areas and vice versa. Men and women may visit each other in the dorm lobby. Students who violate this rule will be dismissed immediately from the workshop. Students breaking any of the workshop rules or acting in a manner which disrupts the learning atmosphere of the workshop will be dismissed from the workshop and sent home. If a student is dismissed, there will be no refund of the workshop fee. If a student has accepted financial aid, he/she will be responsible for paying the full $650 cost of the workshop.

Already in MUJW and on your way to campus? Here's what you need to know:

How will I find my way around campus?

A campus map will be given to you upon check-in. You can also use the University of Missouri’s interactive map at http://map.missouri.edu/

Where do I check-in once I get to campus?

All workshop participants must register at Wolpers Residence Hall, 800 Hitt St. Columbia, Missouri, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019. We will check you in at a special area in the lounge of Wolpers and provide you with instruction and materials. If you can’t you plan to arrive after 6:00 p.m. please notify: ??

Where will I be staying?

Wolpers 573-882-4715 is the workshop residence hall. The phone numbers are staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

We will assign two students to each room. Bed linens and towels are furnished by the University.
Workshop dorm counselors, selected by the School of Journalism, will live in the hall with the workshop participants and will be supervised by a staff person, Maggie Walters, who will live in the dorm during the week.
Residence hall curfew is 11:00 p.m. nightly. You must in in your room by 11:00 – no exceptions. (This means you cannot order pizza after the curfew). Violation of the curfew will result in participant(s) being sent home at family's expense.
Any mail for students during the workshop should be sent to: Name of Student, Missouri School of Journalism Summer Workshops Missouri School of Journalism 132 Neff Annex Columbia, MO 65211-1200

Are meals provided?

Breakfast and dinner will be provided daily for each workshop participant. Students will be given meal cards and information about Dining Services at check-in. Dining Services has been notified if you listed a food allergy, preference, etc. Each participant is responsible for buying lunch each day.

Is there somewhere to do my laundry?

Laundry facilities are available at Wolpers Hall. This may cost extra and you will need to bring your own detergent if you plan to do laundry.

What happens if I get sick?

THE UMC STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE will be available for workshop students. Any student who becomes ill or injured during the workshop should get assistance from the residence hall or workshop staff. Important phone numbers: Student Health Service – 573-882-7481; University Hospital and Clinics – 573-882-4141 (switchboard) or 573-882-8091 (Emergency Center).

Can I use my car to get around during the workshop?

From registration through workshop's end, students may not ride in or drive any car unless specifically authorized by one of the workshop directors, Laura Johnston for MUJW; Mark Horvit for MUJW or Frank Corridori for MAPRW. If you drive to Columbia you must agree to turn over your car keys to your workshop director upon checking in at the dorm, and they will return them to you after the closing ceremony.

Do we receive any recognition for our work?

We invite and encourage your family to attend closing ceremonies to be held Friday morning, June 28, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., at the Missouri School of Journalism when we will present special awards to the top students. Each workshop will have their own special closing ceremony. However, we understand many students are coming from out of state, so it is not mandatory that parents attend.