1.25.2020 Robert Morris University: The First Amendment on Trial Final Grant Report 1

Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University: 1 for All“An Interdisciplinary Experiential Learning Project:

The First Amendment on Trial at Robert Morris University”

Report prepared by Ann D. Summerall- Jabro, Ph.D., University Professor of Communication

Project Summary: Ann Jabro (Communication) and David Jamison (Political Science and Communication) were awarded a competitive grant from the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University for the fall 2019 semester to develop programming to increase awareness of the First Amendment in the campus community. They collaborated, along with Academic Media Center Director Tim Jones, in creating a series of four televised moot court-style debates on First Amendment topics. The debates were viewed in person by RMU students, faculty, and community guests (including at least one local judge (N=125), and live-streamed to four local high schools. The debates raised awareness of the First Amendment topics of freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly. Social Media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook hits were 3,000) while traditional media coverage focused on print and billboard. The target audience was college students. The secondary audience was high school students. Just as importantly, the format designed by Profs. Jabro and Jamison provided a significant interdisciplinary applied learning opportunity for political science and criminal justice students (in arguing the cases), public relations students (in a sustained, student-led traditional media/social media campaign to publicize the events), and to video production students (in creating the studio/live-stream production). Over 45 RMU faculty, staff, and students were involved in the project.

Debater Preparation Public Relations and Social Media Student Preparation

Sought faculty recommendations for debate participants. Based on faculty’s experience with prior classroom and student organization work, as well as interviews with faculty, 8 students selected to debate four cases.

Breanna McCann, Travis Sapp: Freedom of the PressKristen Davis, Rachel Pracht: Freedom of Speech Selene Cerankosky, Jacob Toth: Freedom of ReligionSydney Brooks, Daniel Pollack: Freedom of Assembly

Course Description: Introductory course in social media and public relations campaigns.

Course Objectives: (1) understand and implement components of a social media PR campaign: research, evaluation, objectives setting, strategy, tactics, communication, and evaluation; (2) Learn about First Amendment Rights; (3) Coordinate, promote and participate in live event and post-celebration.

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Weeks 1 through 8 Weeks 1 through 8

Case Selection: With faculty guidance, students selected landmark Supreme Court First Amendment cases to debate. Each student spent 20-30 hours researching and drafting arguments.

Judge Recruitment: Four faculty members were recruited to serve as Moot Court judges for the televised debates: Anthony Moretti, Communication; John McCarthy, History; Justin Deplato and Philip Harold, political science.

Team Components: select teammates, cost benefit analysis, team operating agreement, performance evaluation, conflict resolution plan, logo, motto and positions.PR Components: Social media options, use and audience conventions. Research (IRB), Evaluation, Stakeholder identification, persona development, objectives established, strategy development, tactics, (script writing, studio production, audience management), Budgeting, GANNT charting, event components, web-streaming, voting process, evaluation techniques.

One team drops the class.

Student Alec Bakale develops animated open based on student Meredith Charles’ logo design. Sentry Media interviews Jabro and team:https://www.rmusentrymedia.com/rmu-

tv/rmu-live10-25-2019/ (TV interview)

Weeks 9 through 15 Weeks 9 through 15October 24: All debaters and judges take part in rehearsal/program walk through.

October 31: Freedom of the Press. Breanna McCann, junior; Travis Sapp, senior. Judge: Prof. Moretti

November 7: Freedom of Speech. Kristen Davis and Rachel Pracht, both sophomores. Judge: Prof. Deplato

November 14: Freedom of Religion. Jacob Toth,Sophomore, Selene Cerankosky, junior.Judge: Prof. McCarthy

November 21: Freedom of Assembly. SydneyBrooks, sophomore, Dan Pollack, senior.Judge: Prof. Harold

October 24: rehearsal – PR student talent to rehearse show open; check-in and voting coordination, live production. PR team shifts weekly as do social media responsibilities.

October 31: Press – Live audience intake/audience warm-up; voting via telephone; vote tallying multiple locations.

November 7: Speech: Coordination web-streaming and RMU Radio.November 14: ReligionNovember 21: Assembly – final taping. PR coordinated by all teams. Wrap.December 3: Campaign presentationsDecember 5: Campaign presentations; Debrief RMU Instagram Takeover by Ashley Chase; RMU Social MediaEvaluation with interdisciplinary team.December 11: Campaign Books due and course reflection/evaluation.

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Engagement/Outcome: The First Amendment on Trial productions were shot live in the RMU television studio by staff and students. Over 125 audience members participated in the selection of the strongest arguments during the debates. One high school, Cornell, participated in the voting process via telephone while Weir, Propel and Pennsylvania Cyber time-shifted the programming. The four “One for All: The First Amendment on Trial” episodes are available for time shift viewing through YouTube. PR students also produced public service announcements on First Amendment rights and promotional announcements which are embedded in each of the four episodes. Further, the University and Funding source were mentioned during the opening of each show and the context of the programming as

experiential learning was promoted.

Campaign Findings: The Twitter (1,200), Instagram (3,000) and Facebook (960) engagements over a 6-week period were steady and two local media outlets promoted the event. Chick-fil-A donated chicken sandwiches during one episode of the event. Additional media promotion included campus signage, electronic billboards, RMU TV programming of an interview promoting the series, flyers and word-of-mouth. Additional exposure was generated through outreach with School districts to participate in the debates.

Community Assessment of the experience occurred on December 5, 2019 during a post-event celebration/debrief hosted by Professors Jamison and Jabro with the debaters, judges, members of the public relations teams, and academic media center staff and volunteers.

Debaters: Professor Jamison reflected on the outstanding depth of research, quality of the arguments presented during the debates, on-camera presentation, and the professionalism of the debaters.

PR Campaign: Dr. Jabro commended the students for tackling course content related to four areas: event planning, promotion, television production and the actual course, social media and public relations. The components of the campaign were being taught, executed and learned during the implementation phase. Students executed qualitative (interviews = 125) and quantitative (surveys = 228) to learn the most commonly cited First Amendment right was Freedom of the Press. An information campaign focused on all Freedoms was important. Thus, the development of four shows and public service announcements focused on single and all freedoms. Outreach tactics for the campus community were strong with 3,000 social media followers while tactics for external stakeholders were adequate with two media stories and attendance by a local judge. Teams met their internal participation goals (on-campus participation of approximately 25 students per show) while attracting a larger external audience was difficult due to time of the recordings (1:30) and location.

Academic Media Center Staff and Students Findings: Dr. Tim Jones thanked his staff and volunteers for their commitment, willingness to grow, and extra effort to work through the complexities of the complicated technical set-up, limited resources and demands of four weeks of shooting and preproduction shooting and editing. He commended his team for teaching others and sharing knowledge and welcomed the opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary project again. AMC staff, students and volunteers reflected that the experience provided valuable production experience in putting on a live television show, live streaming the show, and then packaging the show for asynchronous use.

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Interdisciplinary Team Findings: Achieved several key pedagogical goals set by Jabro, Jamison and Jones:1. Provided a living example of the challenge of creating a PR/social media campaign around a complex, evolving, first-time ever, event telecast with a live audience and recorded for future use.2. Achieved the goal of the grant, enhanced community understanding of the First Amendment through live audience and live stream communication.3. Demonstrated how diverse teams work together to achieve goals, identify

areas to be addressed to streamline processes and strive to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.4. This professional development opportunity can be used in professional portfolios and resumes of the students.

Robert Morris University Benefits: The experience provided a rich example of engaged learning of the highest caliber and a significant academic connection to high schools and some community leaders. It also confirmed that RMU maintains an intellectual atmosphere providing for discussion of serious ideas.

Table 1: Learning Outcomes of One for All: The First Amendment on Trial

Thematic Analysis of Reflections of Debaters Thematic Analysis of Reflections Social Media and PR Student

1. Enhanced knowledge of First Amendment.2. Increased understanding of the complexity of case and oral argument preparation.3. Richer appreciation for television/livestreaming as vehicles for community civiceducation.4. Growth in confidence as oral advocates.5. Better appreciation for the role of publicrelations & social media in promoting events.

1. Demonstrated the complexity of a PR campaign as students participated, not only in promoting the event, but also creating components of it (through studio production). 2. Allowed PR students to stretch themselves in their roles when compelled by circumstances to do so (one group dropping out). 3. Empowered students to use both qualitative and quantitative research efforts to understand community knowledge of the First Amendment. 4. Interdependent nature of information dissemination in multiple contexts. 5. It’s all about telling the right story to the right audience using the right distribution channels.

Students, Staff and Faculty discussing the First Amendment on Trial Experience

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Table 2: Interdisciplinary Team involved with “One for All: The First Amendment on Trial”

PR Teams and Members

Communication/Business/Media

Arts

Debaters

Political Sci./Criminal

Justice

Freedom Judges

Communication/Political Science

Production Team

AMC StaffCommunication/Media Arts/

Journalism Students

Golden Strategic Design

Kayla Carbert, Jacklyn Medvid,Lauren Comito, Julia Schmid, Brittany Claybaugh

*Breanna McCann,

Travis Sapp

Press Anthony Moretti, Ph.D.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14xrSI2FAyvCoDfLdD4JkdtfSp2yRWusJ/view

Tim Jones, Ph.D., Director, Academic Media Center

Kathleen Ujhazy, DirectorJoe Hale,

Engineer, AudioRay Zaparoni, Floor/Camera

StudentsJohn Blinn,

Technical DirectorJocelyn Burns,

Character GeneratorTanner Kreckle, CameraRyan Giacobbi, Camera

Sarah Gabbany, Set Design

Sentry MediaJohn BlinnSonu Babu

Mike Delahanty

Information TechnologyDylan McKenna,Web-streaming

Malyk Johnson,Simulcast, RMU Radio

Monumental Agency

Marcia Schimizzi, Chase Lang, Jocelyn Burns, Aimee Gmuer, Kayla Peebles

Kristen Davis,

*Rachel Pracht

Speech Justin Deplato, Ph.D.

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/First-Amendment-on-Trial-122038149199602

YouTubeLink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLkiR0ranmk

Pittsburgh PRMary Corinne Casey,Alec Bakale,Briana Lewis, Carter Conroy,Douglas Cole Jr.,

*Selene Cerankosky,

Jacob Toth

Religion John McCarthy, Ph.D.

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/First-Amendment-on-Trial-122038149199602

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeDAVWFXdpo

Golden Strategic Design,Monumental Agency,Pittsburgh PR

Sydney Brooks,

*Daniel Pollack

Assembly Philip Harold, Ph.D.

Facebook Link: https://

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*Strongest argument

www.facebook.com/First-Amendment-on-Trial-122038149199602

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cdCU9Z1hrg

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Sample Media and website information: https://www.rmusentrymedia.com/?s=first+amendment+on+trial is the location to retrieve media on the First Amendment on Trial.

First Amendment on Trial Episode 4: Freedom of AssemblyNovember 21, 2019Filed under Featured Multimedia, First Amendment, RMU-TV, VideoFirst Amendment on Trial presents Episode 4: Freedom of Assembly. First Amendment on Trial is broadcast live from the campus of Robert Morris University.First Amendment on Trial: Students debate freedom of religion court case Marsh v. Chambers

Soundharjya Babu, Assistant News EditorNovember 20, 2019Filed under News, RMU News, Top StoriesROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY - The third week of the First Amendment On Trial debates featured the freedom of religion. Debaters Selene Cerankosky and Jacob Toth discussed the Supreme Court case Marsh v. Chambers during the live debate. They delivered their opening statements, rebuttals and had a chance...Tags: First Amendment on Trial, Freedom of Religion, Jacob Toth, Marsh v. Chambers, News, RMU News, Selene Cerankosky, Soundharjya BabuFirst Amendment on Trial presents Episode 3: Freedom of ReligionNovember 14, 2019Filed under Featured Multimedia, First Amendment, RMU-TV, VideoFirst Amendment on Trial presents Episode 3: Freedom of Religion. First Amendment on Trial is broadcast live from the campus of Robert Morris University.Political Science majors debate in second week of First Amendment on Trial

Michael Delehanty, ContributorNovember 12, 2019Filed under News, RMU News, Top StoriesMOON TOWNSHIP - The second of the four First Amendment on Trial debates was held in the Academic Media Center at Robert Morris University, Thursday afternoon. The debate was based on the second part of the First Amendment, "freedom of speech". Debaters Kristen Davis and Rachel Pracht examined The...

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Tags: Ann Jabro, David Jamison, First Amendment on Trial, Kristen Davis, Michael Delehanty, Morse v. Frederick, News, Rachel Pracht, RMU NewsFirst Amendment on Trial | Episode 2: Freedom of SpeechNovember 7, 2019Filed under Featured Multimedia, First Amendment, RMU-TV, VideoFirst Amendment on Trial presents Episode 2: Freedom of Speech. First Amendment on Trial is broadcast live from the campus of Robert Morris University.

First Amendment on Trial presents Episode 1: Freedom of the PressOctober 31, 2019Filed under Featured Multimedia, First Amendment, RMU-TV, VideoFirst Amendment on Trial presents Episode 1: Freedom of the Press. Broadcast live from the campus of Robert Morris University.

Professors David Jamison and Ann Jabro put the first amendment on trial with $2,000 grant

John Blinn, News EditorOctober 31, 2019Filed under News, RMU News, Top StoriesMOON TOWNSHIP - Robert Morris University students are putting the first amendment on trial. Professors Ann Jabro and David Jamison received a $2000 grant from Middle Tennessee "1 for All" program, that allows them to educate students and the public on the freedoms of the first amendment. The two...Tags: Ann Jabro, Breanna McCann, David Jamison, First Amendment on Trial, John Blinn, Kayla Carbert, Lauren Comito, Middle Tennessee 1 for All, News, RMU News, Travis Sapp

Budget: Each team was given a $300.00 budget for their production ($1,200). Additional funds were designated for signage directing visitors to the studio, program duplication, and celebration parties after each studio production. Receipts and Line item budget justification sent separately.

Total Expenditures: $2,054.35