‘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?

The GSSPA TattlerOur News Rarely Fits Rutgers University Douglass-Cook Center - Since 1766

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.)

Possible ConfigurationTitle Sub-Title Number

Editor-in-Chief Deputy 2

Managing Editor Deputy 2

News Desk Deputies 4

Sports Desk Deputies 6

Copy Desk Deputy 3

Photo Desk Deputies 4

Webmaster Deputy 4

Opinions Desk Deputy 2

TOTAL - 27

The way it works…

Trouble:

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