Editor in Chief Application 2024-2025

Statement of Values

The University Star strives to uphold the following non-negotiable core values:

Accuracy
Impartiality
Honesty and integrity
Inclusivity and fairness
Transparency and accountability
Humanity and public service

Minimum Qualifications

The Editor in Chief position requires students to be enrolled full time with 12 or more credit hours each long semester and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 during the term of office. Students of all majors and classifications may apply for this position. Applicants who have worked in a professional editorial environment or have served as a section editor at a university or college student newspaper will be given preference. Outside employment is discouraged because the Editor in Chief must also have the ability to hold office hours on the main campus.

Job Description

The Editor in Chief will serve from May 1, 2024, through the end of the spring semester of 2025. The Editor in Chief must be available to perform his/her duties during the summer months, including spearheading the publication of the Summer I and Summer II issues. Summer is a training period for the recruitment of new staff. The Editor in Chief must also be available the two weeks before the start of the fall semester for Camp Star training with editors and staff. The stipend is $800 over the summer and $3,200 for each long semester.

Editor in Chief will be responsible for the content, editorial direction and maintaining the high standards of The University Star. The Editor in Chief will regularly monitor the website and social media for content and quality that is consistent with ethical and journalistic standards.

Recruit and regularly provide feedback to editorial board members.
Schedule weekly budget meetings.
Schedule bi-weekly all-staff meetings.
Communicate with adviser about training needs.
Run all production and staff meetings.
Hold office hours for a minimum of 15 hours per week Tuesday through Friday.
Set and enforce all editorial deadlines.
Oversee all editorial content and page design.
Handle all editorial staff personnel issues.
Discuss The Mainpoint during weekly budget meetings to ensure a majority of editorial board members are in agreement with the direction of the editorial.
Ensure sections coordinate to meet special advertising editorial content needs.
Copy edit articles before publication in print or online.
Be knowledgeable in AP style, Media Law, WordPress, InDesign and Photoshop.
Coordinate coverage of big events with section editors.
Attend events as the representative of The University Star.
Act as a role model for professional behavior for the editorial staff.
Respond to reader inquiries, questions and/or requests for interviews.
Finalize contest entries with adviser.
Ensure all content meets the highest standards of journalistic ethics.

Application Process

Submit your completed application packet to The University Star Director Laura Krantz as an electronic file to [email protected] by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 8. All applicants must read The University Star Handbook online and sign the form below acknowledging they have read and understand the policies outlined in the handbook. This form must be included in the packet. All applicants must also provide a resume, two letters of recommendation, three writing samples, and answer the following questions below. Incomplete or late packets will not be considered.

What do you see as a student newspaper’s purpose, and how will you work to serve that purpose?
Who is the audience of The University Star, and how will you engage that audience?
What is the current reputation of The University Star on campus, and how will you address that perception?
What qualities will you look for when recruiting and training new editorial staff?
What do you plan to do to take The University Star to the next level as far as technology and audience engagement?