1. ‘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 Tattler Our News Rarely Fits Rutgers University Douglass-Cook Center - Since 1766

2. Student newspapers today Anachronistic? State-of-the-art?

3. 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? ˜

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. How to balance print and online One staff runs both — or two staffs? What are the roles?

7. Classic titles Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Feature Editor Sports Editor Opinions Editor Photo Editor Business Manager Reporters and Writers

8. Titles to be added Webmaster/webmistress Social Media Editor Online Editor Video Editor Techie Correspondent

9. 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)˜

10. 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

11. New ‘desks’ Web Desk – Webmaster and deputy – Social Media (Desk) – Video/Audio Editor (Desk) – Publicity Editor (listserv, emailer, etc.)

12. Possible Configuration TitleSub-TitleNumber Editor-in-ChiefDeputy2 Managing EditorDeputy2 News DeskDeputies4 Sports DeskDeputies6 Copy DeskDeputy3 Photo DeskDeputies4 WebmasterDeputy4 Opinions DeskDeputy2 TOTAL-27

13. The way it works… Editor in Chief (Consulting with Adviser) Managing Editor Section Editors Reporters Copy Editors

14. Trouble: Assignment not done, contains bias, unedited, poor spelling, embarrassing or insulting; photos or video not shot right; etc. Section Editors Managing Editor Editor-in- Chief Adviser

15. 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.

16. Club or Class? Class If Class: Larger staff possible Consistency (grades) Staff is “findable” Classroom adds to sense of place Non-class can still join Club If Club: Need constant publicity to get staff No grades Creates heroes Fewer do more