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The GSSPA Tattler. Rutgers University Douglass-Cook Center. Our News Rarely Fits. - Since 1766. ‘Who Does What?’ topic of talk. Student newspapers today are much more complex than they were a generation ago. Print version — and online? Is there an “ideal staff”?
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The GSSPA Tattler Rutgers University Douglass-Cook Center Our News Rarely Fits - Since 1766 ‘Who Does What?’ topic of talk • Student newspapers today are much more complex than they were a generation ago. • Print version — and online? • Is there an “ideal staff”? • Variables: size of staff, size of school. • Club or class? • Background of adviser — trained or not?
Student newspapers today • Anachronistic? • State-of-the-art?
How a basic staffing plan works: • First, decisions have to be made. • Editor and Deputy system • Co-Editor system • Split between print/online — or merged? ˜
Editor and Deputy • Lots of work on one person • One person acts as symbol of the publication. • Lines of command are clear. • But: • A bad editor can affect the whole operation. • Conditions can change so the student is unable to perform his/her duties. • Only seen as a prize for college acceptance sometimes.
Co-Editor System • Good points: • Can share the work • Can substitute for each other. • But… • One almost always does more of the work. • One might just want credit for college.
How to balance print and online • One staff runs both — or two staffs? • What are the roles?
Classic titles • Editor in Chief • Managing Editor • News Editor • Feature Editor • Sports Editor • Opinions Editor • Photo Editor • Business Manager • Reporters and Writers
Titles to be added • Webmaster/webmistress • Social Media Editor • Online Editor • Video Editor • Techie • Correspondent
Use of ‘desks’ with Editor and Deputy • Editor in Chief, Managing Editor, Webmaster in both systems • News Desk • News • Features • Arts and Entertainment • Sports Desk • Reporters assigned by sport (1-3 sports)˜
Use of ‘desks’ with Editor and Deputy • Copy Desk • 4 articles/week per editor • Reporters: 1 article every two weeks • Photo and Graphics Desk • Handles drawings, art, political cartoons • Photography: accompanying news or wild art. • Business Desk • Advertising Manager, Salespeople, Bookkeeper
New ‘desks’ • Web Desk • Webmaster and deputy • Social Media (Desk) • Video/Audio Editor (Desk) • Publicity Editor (listserv, emailer, etc.)
Tips • Pick new editors in January or February. • Change online copy daily, even if it’s short. • Keep stories to 1,000 words in print, keep online stories to 500-700 words. • Examine possibility of ePubs, Smartphones, iPads. • Discuss having 2 organizations. • Develop relationship with local newspaper.
Club or Class? • If Class: • Larger staff possible • Consistency (grades) • Staff is “findable” • Classroom adds to sense of place • Non-class can still join • If Club: • Need constant publicity to get staff • No grades • Creates heroes • Fewer do more