Results are rolling in for the 2012 Mark of Excellence Awards regional competitions! Regional winners were or will be announced at each region's respective spring conference. Once your region's results become available, you will be able to access them using the links below.

— Region 3 Winners

The Mark of Excellence Awards honor the best in student journalism. The awards offer categories for print, radio, television and online collegiate journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level. First place regional winners advance to the national competition. National winners will be showcased on spj.org.

Freedom of Information step-by-step guides

Unfamiliar with FOI laws? Need help submitting a records request? Request denied and don’t know what to do now? Just overwhelmed in general and need a place to start?

The Society of Professional Journalists seeks to maintain constant vigilance in protecting the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press and encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely. If you're unfamiliar with the laws or just need some guidance, these guides — for pros and students — can help.

— FOI for students: A step-by-step guide
— FOI for pros: A step-by-step guide

The SPJ Blog for the Campus Community. Latest entries:

– Fight censorship – and poor grammar – all at once!
– SPJ’s 2012 Student Opportunities
– Mark of Excellence Awards Deadline Approaching
– SPJ Chapter Records Musical Minutes
– Excellence in Journalism 2011
– 20 Toolkits for Journalists
– Refreshing Spring Program Ideas
– 10 Tips for Building Better Resumes
– Three campus board members return
– Mirfendereski joins national leadership team

Grab a slice and let the pros dice. That's right, it's Slice 'n' Dice, a program that brings together students and professionals for networking, résumé critiques and grub. We've got everything you need in the "virtual" box, including directions, flyers and a sign up sheet. There are even some nifty table tents to spruce up the place. All you need to do is bring in the pros and order some pizza.

Also check out: Journalism Movie Night

About Programs in a Box

Is your campus chapter in need of a simple, cost efficient program to draw in members or just have fun? If so, we can help!

Because we understand that sometimes the clock just moves too fast and budgets are just too small, we've recently created Programs in a Box to help you implement a successful program with little planning and little cash.

The Society of Professional Journalists understands that changes in the industry have forced educators to rethink and revise curricula. They are being asked — or required — to help students learn about everything that’s new while still teaching the reporting and writing skills that serve as the foundation of journalism. Institutions of higher learning are breaking their budgets to keep up with new software, new hardware and new gadgets. The job of a journalism educator is more demanding than ever before.

Just know that you are not alone. And the Society of Professional Journalists is there to help.

Become a Collegiate Institutional Member

Becoming a Collegiate Institutional Member in SPJ is one of the easiest ways your school can demonstrate to students (and parents) its commitment to producing the best journalists possible. For just $400 a year, your school can join SPJ as a Collegiate Institutional Member and receive the following benefits.

Check out SPJ's Generation J Committee Blog. Latest entries:

– Five simple ways to be a better journalist
– Why I won’t Change My Profile Picture to Show My Support of X
– Zombie Journalism: A look at journalism’s dead technology (Ghostbusters Edition)
– Get Out of Your House: A Simple Way Non-Reporter Journalists Can Develop Sources & Good Stories
– Lessons from young journalists finding work at non-profit news outlets
– SPJ’s Generation J #GenJMakeover
– Market Size vs. the News You’re Covering
– 5 Productive Things To Do During a Blizzard (or any night stuck at home)
– I Saw it on the (Grape)Vine: Twitter’s New Baby
– Five Things to Add to Your News Website

The Society of Professional Journalists is here to support student journalists nationwide as they begin to mold their careers. Whether it’s a campus chapter, student media outlet or individual, SPJ is here to offer advice, training and up-to-date information on important freedom of information decisions.

Follow this link for resources that can help you and your chapter regarding freedom of information news and education.

You've finished school and are trying to make sense of the big, bad (as in good, of course) world of journalism. Now what? Welcome to Generation J, the place where future newsroom leaders can collaborate to build newsrooms of the future.