As the advisor of the student paper on campus, Manning has experience that is relevant for all of us attending the institute. Just like all of us, he works with student leaders on a daily basis to create a professional product. The structure that the paper uses for its leadership is interesting.
According to Manning, the paper chooses an editor in chief through a panel review process. Interested parties submit an application and then faces a panel-style interview. The panel is comprised of ASU students, Cronkite and campus faculty, as well as Manning. The panel interviews candidates and then installs their choice candidate as the paper's Editor In Chief.
That individual, then, has the opportunity to create his/her editorial staff of choice. They are provided with a budget for staffing, and are then expected to fill the necessary positions. The structure of the staff is left largely up to the editor. Traditionally, the State Press has had Managing Editors as well as Beat or Section Editors.
The idea of a panel selection is intriguing to me, although I think I lack the resources to implement it. I definitely see some potential benefit in allowing the Editor In Chief to impart some choice on the overall structure of the staff. But I don't want it to be a popularity contest or turn into a big fight.
When examining our own staffs, what kind of structures do we use? What have we found successful? What works, what doesn't? Does anyone have any methods that they use with their staffs, for selection of editors? Do you leave it open to your kids to vote? Let me know what you guys think.
Jessica Young
Orange Glen High School
Escondido, Calif.
Posts
In the past I've had an editor in chief, section editors, head of advertising, art editor, photographers, designers, basically a separate title for everyone tied to specific tasks. I was frustrated by the lack of team work and often heard things like, "That's not my job," or "I did my job, why do I have to help with his job?
ReplyDeleteThis year, I threw the old system out and restructured. I had only three roles: Executive Editor, Head of Advertising and Staff Member. I had two advanced girls who equally deserved to be Editor, so I made them both Executive Editors; one was in charge of page 1-9, the other 10-16. My other advanced student was the Head of Advertising. All beginning students were staff members. Everyone wrote stories, sold ads and helped with delivery, and took pictures.
Because everyone did everything, it built the team atmosphere and gave everyone a way to contribute. In the past, the section editors did most of the work and the beginning helpers didn't really help. This year, I had 18 kids and usually 16 pages, so I made each beginning student responsible for 1 page of the paper. I didn't have kids sitting around not knowing how to contribute (or sliding by) like I used to. Everyone became responsible. I had great kids, but I think this structure also cut down on bad behavior.
I will always select the Editor and I learned the hard way to give it to the nicest kid who has okay skills rather than the grouchy kid who knows how to do everything well.
Becky Gemmell
Escondido High School
Escondido, Calif.