New CBS program puts VSU students on the air

A new program in Valdosta State University's Communication Arts Department is bringing the resources of CBS News to students.

The university has signed an agreement to utilize satellite feeds from CBS Newspath, the news service of the network. The agreement gives students the same access to regional, national and international news stories that any of the 200-plus CBS affiliates would get.

TEL 361 students are using the feeds as part of a new, weekly news show, according to Frank Barnas, faculty adviser for the program. "VSU Today" is taped and airs 20 times per week on the university's closed circuit channel 63. Barnas said the 15-minute show is written, produced and directed by students, and includes the world stories from CBS as well as campus pieces reported by class members.

"This program gives the students the chance to see what it's like in a �real world' news operation," Barnas said. Students have worked with Barnas to build a set and TelePrompTers, and are now regularly fanning out across campus to cover activities. "I'm very happy with what we've done so far, and proud of what the students have accomplished," Barnas said. The CBS Newspath on Campus project provides the satellite service at no charge to educational institutions.