Transparency is critical to our credibility with the public and our subscribers. Whenever possible, we pursue information on the record. When a newsmaker insists on background or off-the-record ground rules, we must adhere to a strict set of guidelines, enforced by AP news managers.

 Under AP's rules, material from anonymous sources may be used only if:

 1. The material is information and not opinion or speculation, and is vital to the report.

 2. The information is not available except under the conditions of anonymity imposed by the source.

 3. The source is reliable, and in a position to have direct knowledge of the information.

 Reporters who intend to use material from anonymous sources must get approval from their news manager before sending the story to the desk. The manager is responsible for vetting the material and making sure it meets AP guidelines. The manager must know the identity of the source, and is obligated, like the reporter, to keep the source's identity confidential. Only after they are assured that the source material has been vetted by a manager should editors and producers allow it to be used.

 Reporters should proceed with interviews on the assumption they are on the record. If the source wants to set conditions, these should be negotiated at the start of the interview. At the end of the interview, the reporter should try once again to move onto the record some or all of the information that was given on a background basis.

 The AP routinely seeks and requires more than one source when sourcing is anonymous. Stories should be held while attempts are made to reach additional sources for confirmation or elaboration. In rare cases, one source will be sufficient – when material comes from an authoritative figure who provides information so detailed that there is no question of its accuracy.

 We must explain in the story why the source requested anonymity. And, when it’s relevant, we must describe the source's motive for disclosing the information. If the story hinges on documents, as opposed to interviews, the reporter must describe how the documents were obtained, at least to the extent possible.

The story also must provide attribution that establishes the source's credibility; simply quoting "a source" is not allowed. We should be as descriptive as possible: "according to top White House aides" or "a senior official in the British Foreign Office." The description of a source must never be altered without consulting the reporter.

 We must not say that a person declined comment when that person the person is already quoted anonymously. And we should not attribute information to anonymous sources when it is obvious or well known. We should just state the information as fact.

Stories that use anonymous sources must carry a reporter's byline. If a reporter other than the bylined staffer contributes anonymous material to a story, that reporter should be given credit as a contributor to the story.

 All complaints and questions about the authenticity or veracity of anonymous material – from inside or outside the AP – must be promptly brought to the news manager's attention.

 Not everyone understands “off the record” or “on background” to mean the same things. Before any interview in which any degree of anonymity is expected, there should be a discussion in which the ground rules are set explicitly.

These are the AP’s definitions:

On the record. The information can be used with no caveats, quoting the source by name.

Off the record. The information cannot be used for publication. Background. The information can be published but only under conditions negotiated with the source. Generally, the sources do not want their names published but will agree to a description of their position. AP reporters should object vigorously when a source wants to brief a group of reporters on background and try to persuade the source to put the briefing on the record.

Deep background. The information can be used but without attribution. The source does not want to be identified in any way, even on condition of anonymity.

In general, information obtained under any of these circumstances can be pursued with other sources to be placed on the record.

ANONYMOUS SOURCES IN MATERIAL FROM OTHER NEWS SOURCES

Reports from other news organizations based on anonymous sources require the most careful scrutiny when we consider them for our report.

AP's basic rules for anonymous source material apply to material from other news outlets just as they do in our own reporting: The material must be factual and obtainable no other way. The story must be truly significant and newsworthy. Use of anonymous material must be authorized by a manager. The story we produce must be balanced, and comment must be sought.

Further, before picking up such a story we must make a bona fide effort to get it on the record, or, at a minimum, confirm it through our own reporting. We shouldn't hesitate to hold the story if we have any doubts. If another outlet’s anonymous material is ultimately used, it must be attributed to the originating news organization and note its description of the source.

ATTRIBUTION

 Anything in the AP news report that could reasonably be disputed should be attributed. We should give the full name of a source and as much information as needed to identify the source and explain why the person s credible. Where appropriate, include a source's age; title; name of company, organization or government department; and hometown. If we quote someone from a written document – a report, email or news release -- we should say so. Information taken from the internet must be vetted according to our standards of accuracy and attributed to the original source. File, library or archive photos, audio or videos must be identified as such. For lengthy stories, attribution can be contained in an extended editor's note detailing interviews, research and methodology.

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What started as an advertising program group for 35 jobbers 50 years ago has turned into one of the only shareholder-owned parts distribution groups with around 100 members and 121 distribution centers. That group is Automotive Parts Associates (APA), started by Kansas City warehouse distributor Jim Green in the early 70s. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, APA has evolved and grown with market challenges, but it refuses to rest on its laurels as both its provider partners and members grow with the changing automotive aftermarket.

“We must celebrate the past but live in the present and future,” says Steve Tucker, APA president who took over the top spot a little over two years ago. “We’re concerned with growing the group and its members and giving them the tools and solutions to do that.”

In the most admirable way, Tucker describes APA’s current membership as an “island of misfit toys.” As one of the smaller program groups, APA, headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee, in the Memphis metro area, caters to warehouse distributors who don’t quite fit into other groups: import specialists, heavy-duty jobbers and both large and single-location distributors. When looking at satisfying their needs, strong provider relationships, over a half-billion dollars in buying power annually and a no-nonsense approach to business is what sets APA apart from big-box retailers, Tucker believes.

“It’s as simple as providing good service. Listening to our shareholders and understanding their business,” Tucker says. “When I came on, I wanted to go to a back-to-basics approach. No trick plays, just blocking and tackling.”
With a long history of providing its members with the tools and solutions needed to take their business to new heights, APA is looking to a digital future and finding ways it can better service shareholders, their customers and provider partners.

A Storied History

As one of the oldest program distribution groups in operation, APA was founded in 1973, and has since acquired members who steadfastly believe in its slogan “Allies for Success.” Major growth points included 1981, when membership almost doubled and the group amassed $450 million in annual sales. In the ’90s, Canadian buying group Best Buy Distributors Ltd. joined, and APA launched its Professional Choice auto care parts line. After merging with a privately held corporation for a couple years, APA began operations as a not-for-profit member cooperative in 1994.
“Our goal is for our shareholders to keep finding value in their membership,” Tucker says, noting that member and committee feedback is what drives the group to this day.

Over the years, various buying groups have joined APA, including Poja Warehouse and the Society of Import Parts Specialists. Its latest acquisition came with the addition of TruStar, a Texas-based program group that focuses on undercar parts such as brakes, shocks and exhaust parts. The acquisition represented another “specialist” that makes the group “a good place for niche-type suppliers,” Tucker says.

Digital Solutions

In the early 2010s, APA noticed the rise of digital operations and e-commerce and started supplying its members with business intelligence data and warehouse and inventory management systems to boost efficiency and streamline operations. The group also implemented its APA pricing portal, where members can access provider pricing, new part number announcements, recalls and more.

Over the years, e-commerce has also become a large part of member businesses with repair shops. No longer do repair shops call their local WD – they order parts online. That’s why, in 2018, APA implemented an EBiz Parts System, which gives repair shops access to their WDs’ inventory. In latest years, parts lookup by a vehicle’s VIN number and license plate have gained popularity, which APA has added.

The group also implemented a program called SourceIt, which allows parts distributors to find out-of-stock items from fellow APA members. And these solutions, Tucker says, are the tip of the iceberg.

“Our ultimate goal is to be comparative with the larger groups in terms of tools, inventory, data support and sales,” he adds.

In declaring “data is king!” Tucker admits that the business of selling parts has gotten more complicated, but data can help streamline decision making and smart choices at member businesses. APA members have access to the group’s Data Solutions software, which is designed to help optimize inventory and category management with access to industry data, group buying reports and individual business analytics. These reports are meant to help members increase their sales and profitability, better manage their inventory and Improve ROI.

The group is also giving its members modern-day tools and solutions to expedite parts delivery to repair shops, such as efficient route planning software, electronic signatures and estimates on delivery times.

“It’s like ordering pizza. The shop wants the part in 30 minutes or less,” Tucker says. “It’s our job to have the data and tools in place to make that happen.”

A Matchmaking Service

A matchmaking service for an island of misfit toys might not seem like it has a place in the aftermarket, but if you ask Tucker, that’s how he describes APA’s role.

“We’re like a real estate agent,” he says. “We’re always looking to please both the provider and buyer and give them the resources to succeed.”

While APA offers many digital services and data resources for its members, it does the same for its provider partners, Tucker said. In 2019, APA partnered with Epicor to launch a data program with suppliers to give them information around parts inventory –increasing or decreasing their levels of a certain product and where sellout was happening in certain markets.

When discussing provider relationships, Tucker admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic forced APA to take on more suppliers to have the inventory their members needed. However, it inhibited them from delivering volume to their suppliers.

“The supply chain was broken,” he says. “Right now, we’re looking at our provider portfolio. We got fat during COVID with having too many suppliers in one category. We have to look at who is a good fit for us and our shareholders and if we’re a good fit for them.”

Tucker adds, over time, he feels program groups have strayed away from the volume play, but he feels if the correct incentives are in place, the group’s members will support a certain brand.

“We also work for the suppliers, so we have to be better for them,” he says.

Looking Toward the Future

Tucker speaks about APA’s future with positivity, pointing to the opportunities that exist for the group to better serve its shareholders and suppliers. One of those ways is in driving traffic to members and consolidating efficiencies. He said currently APA has the ability to act as a fulfillment partner for service businesses and contractors, such as Home Depot fleets.

“If all members consolidated their inventory in one field, we could act as fulfillment partner for automotive-adjacent businesses,” he says. “We could be their e-commerce partner.”

Other ways in which he feels APA can benefit is by promoting best practices between members to find solutions to grow their businesses, as many members don’t have the time to research the latest in distribution technology. Teaching members how to use technology and data tools is also key to the group’s future success, which includes monthly training sessions and in-person workshops.

One aspect of the industry that Tucker doesn’t shy away from is consolidation. In fact, he feels it’s good for the industry. A few large APA shareholders are consolidators themselves.

“It helps the good guys get better,” he says. “There are a lot of people in our business that are aging out and it provides a solution for their business to live on. These groups will help with our group’s longevity.”

In preparing APA to fulfill shareholder needs for the next 50 years, Tucker says the group needs to ensure that member businesses supply value to their customers in this generation and the next. Part of that means creating an atmosphere where members feel like family. The other aspect is supplying them with the hardware, software, provider relationships and tools for them to take care of their customers.

“The worst thing to do is think you’re successful at any of it because that will keep you complacent,” he says.

Aug 8 (Reuters) - The world’s largest professional psychology group has joined the push to end the required disclosure of personal mental health information by individuals applying to become lawyers.

The American Psychological Association said Monday that it approved a policy pledging to work alongside the American Bar Association and state bar associations to remove questions about mental health diagnoses or treatment history from the character and fitness reviews of aspiring attorneys, which jurisdictions conduct before allowing them to practice there.

“Statistical data reveal that there is no connection between bar application questions about mental health and attorney misconduct and that such questions have not been empirically shown to work as a successful screening tool for who can and cannot practice law in a competent manner,” said the resolution, which the APA’s governing body passed earlier this month.

Mental health advocates say questions about an applicant's mental health status dissuade law students from seeking help out of fear they will be denied admission to the bar. According to the American Bar Association, 38 jurisdictions include at least one such question on their character and fitness questionnaire.

A 2022 national study of law student well-being found that 44% of survey respondents said the potential threat to their bar admission might deter them from getting help for a mental health issue.

The ABA’s House of Delegates in 2015 adopted a resolution calling for the removal of mental health questions from character and fitness reviews, and at least six states since 2018 have significantly changed or dropped those questions, according to the APA.

New York State eliminated its mental health disclosure for bar admission applicants in 2020 and Ohio dropped its character and fitness question about mental or psychological disorders in January. Virginia law students successfully pushed the state in 2019 to stop asking about mental health.

In addition to advocating for the removal of mental health questions, the APA resolution calls on law schools to “support law students seeking appropriate mental health treatment and reduce the stigma associated with mental health.”

Read more:

US push to end lawyer mental health disclosures extends to New Jersey

'Our law students need help.' Study finds higher rates of mental health problems

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Here is some information to help you to start thinking about course selection. 

Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of information provided here!  Rest assured that we will discuss course selection procedures in detail before and during Welcome, with lots of opportunities for questions at that time.

What courses am I permitted to take? 

Every MSc programme at LSE has a set of Programme Regulations, which outline the courses that you are permitted to take. Links can be found above in 'Read your Programme Regulations'. 

Some courses will be compulsory for your programme, or you may be permitted to choose from a list of required or suggested options. Unless your regulations specifically state that you are able to take a course from outside the regulations with permission, then you are expected to only choose courses listed in your Programme Regulations. 

Note: Places on courses are limited and all are offered subject to availability. 

Where can I find details about course content and format? 

Course guides provide descriptions of every individual course at the School, including information about content, teaching methods, types of assessment, and more. Visit your regulations at the link above and then click on course codes to view each course guide. 

The method of teaching and types of assessment for LSE courses vary.  Some courses will operate a combination of online lectures, in-person and/or online seminars and workshops, or include online real-time discussions. Each course guide will clarify what to expect.

In addition to course guides, the European Institute will offer Course Options taster videos in the run-up to Welcome. In the videos, course convenors for EU-coded courses will give a short presentation about their courses. 

What is the difference between a half unit and a full unit course?

A half unit course typically runs for just one term - either the Autumn (first term) or Winter term (second term) and typically comprises around 20-27 hours of teaching (lecture/seminar) over ten weeks. A full unit course, on the other hand, usually runs for both the Autumn and Winter term and typically comprises 40 hours of teaching (lecture/seminar) over 20 weeks. The course guide for each course will indicate the number of units for each course.

Who can give me advice on which courses to choose?

Rest assured that the department will be running a number of course selection sessions before and after you arrive for Welcome to answer questions about the process. You will also be assigned to an Academic Mentor during Welcome, who will discuss your course selection options with you. See the Academic Mentor section to learn more about your relationship with your mentor. Your Academic Mentor is responsible for approving your course choices to ensure you meet all of the requirements to graduate.

If you have questions about course selection and how it relates to your future career goals, you could also consider speaking to LSE Careers for advice. 

Where/when do courses take place?

A provisional timetable will become available online in late August 2023 on the LSE Timetables website. Unfortunately, timetables are decided at a School level, and the European Institute does not have access to the timetable until it is formally released.  Although courses are typically scheduled Monday-Friday, some courses may be offered on weekends in some exceptional circumstances.  The number of hours/minutes and days of the week that lectures and seminars will run will vary from course to course. 

It is important that you take the time to review the Timetable before selecting your courses to ensure that you do not select courses with a timetable clash (courses scheduled at the same time), as this is not permitted.  Although the system will allow you to sign up for clashing courses, you will be contacted by the EI Programmes Team and asked to make a different course selection.  It is better to check the Timetable before choosing your courses to avoid disappointment.

You may consider using Course Finder to build a shortlist of courses and compare the Lecture Timetables for that shortlist. Course Finder will become available in September 2023. However, please note that Course Finder can only be accessed once you have activated your LSE IT Account closer to the start of term. It is also important to note that selecting a course in course finder does NOT formally register you on the course. Formal enrolment on a course can only be done via LSE for You (see below).

Where do I apply for courses? 

You will select for your courses online via LSE for You. You do NOT need to be on campus when you select your courses. You can sign up for your courses anywhere with internet access that will allow you to log into LSE for You.

When do I apply for courses? 

Postgraduate Course Selections opens on Thursday 21 September at 10am and closes on Friday 6 October at 5pm. You must select all your courses for the academic year during this course selection window. 

How do I apply to take a course? 

Some courses at LSE will allow anyone to sign up to take the course while space is available. Others courses are known as "controlled access courses" which means that space is limited and priority may be given to students from particular programmes or departments before others are offered any remaining spaces on the course. 

You will apply to controlled access courses of interest in LSE for You with a written supporting statement of no more than 200 words which succinctly address your reasons for wishing to take the course and how it fits with your overall research interests. Statements are reviewed by course convenors who decide who will receive an offer to join a course. Although we are unable to ensure availability on any courses, European Institute students do have priority access to EU-coded courses.

Once course convenors have made an offer, you will see the offer in LSE for You. You have 48 hours to accept your offer in LSE for You before it is automatically withdrawn. 

Please note that the online system will only permit you to request up to four units of courses. When course selection opens, we recommend that you sign up to take the courses which you are most interested in first. If you are unable to obtain a spot on a course of choice, then you should have a few backup options in mind to ensure that you are able to sign up for courses that will meet your programme regulation requirements.

Do I need to sign up to take compulsory courses?

Yes, you MUST register for compulsory courses in LSE for You, (for example, dissertations, policy incubators, or applied policy projects). The system does not do this automatically for you. 

Can I take more courses in one term than another? 

We strongly recommend that you plan to take a balanced course load across terms.  The academic year is a very busy one, and students who balance their course choices evenly find it easier to manage their time. If you do want to take more courses in one term than another, then you must discuss this with your Academic Mentor. Your Academic Mentor has final approval of your course selection. 

Can I take more than 4.0 units of courses?

No. However, it may be possible for you to audit courses of interest.  Auditing is when you follow the recorded lectures and online materials of a course on Moodle, with the permission of the lecturer. Do note that you are not formally enrolled on the course when you are auditing. This means that you are not permitted to attend seminars or to take the assessment of course, and details about this course will not appear on your final transcript. You do not need to request to audit a course via the course selection system. Instead, you should email the course convenor directly to ask for permission to audit their course.

I've accepted an offer on a course!  How do I sign up for a seminar group?

Each course may operate a different system for seminar sign up.  Here are some top tips: 

• Some courses will assign you to a group, whereas others will allow you to select a group while there is space available.
• Some courses will immediately allow you to sign up for a seminar group, and others will have a set date/time when seminar group sign-up takes place.
• Most EU-coded courses will allow you to choose your own seminar group where space permits.  You will do this via the Seminar Sign Up option in LSE for You. 
• Seminar groups are typically limited to 15 students. Students will be unable to select a particular seminar group once it reaches capacity. Where this happens, please select another seminar group.
• In some cases, it may be necessary for us to ask students to change groups to assist other students with clashes. 

What if I want to make changes to my Winter Term courses later in the year?

The Graduate Course selection module reopens in January should you wish to revise your Winter Term options only. However, it is not possible to drop an Autumn Term course after the Autumn Term course selection deadline.

I'm a part-time student - what courses should I select for this year?

You should only select the courses that you will be studying for in this academic year. You will be able to register for your second-year courses in the next academic year. Part-time students are required to take the dissertation in their second year of study.  You are strongly encouraged to work closely with your Academic Mentor to split your teaching load equally across the two years of your study.

When can I start accessing online course materials?

You will automatically be given access to the relevant Moodle pages for your courses a few hours after you accept an offer of a place on a course. 

Where can I find more useful information about course selection?

Here are some links that you may find useful:

OLIVETTE, Mo. – Representatives for the Animal Protective Association in Olivette say the shelter is overflowing with animals, and they need the public’s help.

The APA said it’s experiencing unprecedented levels of animals entering their doors, as dogs and cats flow in faster than they can find homes for them.

There are 250 animals staying at the shelter.

“It is summer, which means we’re seeing an influx of all kinds of animals, including puppies and kittens,” said Sarah Javier, CEO of the APA Adoption Center. “This little guy came in with his siblings, as well as his mom, and that’s a pretty common thing that we’re seeing.”

Just this week, the shelter took in 133 animals. They said the intake has gone up 190% since last year, and it’s showing no sign of slowing down.

The shelter said they need volunteers to foster some of their animals. Fostering helps get the pets into a home setting where they can be socialized.

The APA provides all pet supplies and medical care to the pet while being fostered, so the volunteer has no out-of-pocket costs.

Javier said one of the contributing factors to shelter overflows is the cost of keeping and caring for a pet. Some people are finding they just can’t afford it.

“The other thing that I think contributed to this is during COVID, we saw a pause in spaying and neutering. And that meant that pets were out there multiplying,” Javier said.

In celebration of its 101st birthday on Wednesday, the APA is waiving adoption fees for pets six months and older at its Olivette and Brentwood locations.

The shelter said it’s all to help pets find homes.

The Humane Society of Missouri is also asking for the public’s help. They need more people to join their Humane Hero monthly giving program to ensure the funds are always available to give second chances to animals in need.