Opinion

Our Climate Columnist will be an opinion journalist who considers all things intersecting the climate crisis and UBC, from the university's Climate Action Plan 2030 to the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

To get a sense of the degree of focus and specificity expected of columns, take a look at our current columns, Point of Inquiry; Close Up; Move Fast, Break Things and Powers that Be. You should also look at Ezra Klein at the New York Times, Killian Crawford at The Tyee, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò at the Boston Review, Althia Raj or Ubyssey alumnus Bruce Arthur at the Toronto Star, Tanya Talaga, André Picard, or Andrew Coyne at the Globe and Mail, or Michelle Cyca or David Moscrop at The Walrus.

Over the next year, the columnist can expect to file stories about the implementation of UBC’s Climate Action Plan 2030, the results of the UN’s Climate Change Conference and the revision to the AMS Sustainable Action Plan. The columnist should also assess climate programs — like UBC’s Climate-Friendly Food Labels or the Friendlier reusable cup program — and the impacts of the climate crisis — like water restrictions across Vancouver. Often columnists write their views in reaction to the news of the day, but columnists are also afforded the opportunity to initiate reporting of their own: interviews, event coverage and Freedom of Information requests.

Wanting to "break down," or "explain," or "raise awareness" in an "accessible" way about a topic is not sufficient grounds to make someone a columnist. Columns should consistently offer our readers courses of action or original interpretations of the news in addition to being written for a general audience.

No prior experience in journalism is required. Ongoing training and training materials will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Reporting twice-monthly, working on firm deadlines
• Practicing thoughtful journalism to the highest standards of ethics
• Developing relationships with sources to inform reporting
• Attending weekly meetings
• Being professional and responsive to editors, peers, and sources
• Staying expertly informed on matters concerning your beat

Our Housing Columnist will be an opinion journalist who writes about housing on campus and in the Lower Mainland, the legislation that brought us to where we are and the solutions on the horizon.

To get a sense of the degree of focus and specificity expected of columns, take a look at our current columns, Point of Inquiry; Close Up; Move Fast, Break Things and Powers that Be. You should also look at Ezra Klein at the New York Times, Killian Crawford at The Tyee, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò at the Boston Review, Althia Raj or Ubyssey alumnus Bruce Arthur at the Toronto Star, Tanya Talaga, André Picard, or Andrew Coyne at the Globe and Mail, or Michelle Cyca or David Moscrop at The Walrus.

Over the next year, the columnist can expect to file stories about the university’s contributions to student housing, the legislation that affects livability across the Lower Mainland and the housing and tenancy policies proposed during the municipal elections. Often columnists write their views in reaction to the news of the day, but columnists are also afforded the opportunity to initiate reporting of their own: interviews, event coverage and Freedom of Information requests.

Wanting to "break down," or "explain," or "raise awareness" in an "accessible" way about a topic is not sufficient grounds to make someone a columnist. Columns should consistently offer our readers courses of action or original interpretations of the news in addition to being written for a general audience.

No prior experience in journalism is required. Ongoing training and training materials will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Reporting twice-monthly, working on firm deadlines
• Practicing thoughtful journalism to the highest standards of ethics
• Developing relationships with sources to inform reporting
• Attending weekly meetings
• Being professional and responsive to editors, peers, and sources
• Staying expertly informed on matters concerning your beat