What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Editor-in-Chief position at Associated Students?
GENERAL STATEMENT
Under the direction of the ASI Media Advisory Committee, the Student Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the monthly print publication and regular online publication of content for 22 West Magazine. The SEIC is responsible for the overall integrity of the newspaper, including editorial content, appearance, coverage, production, scheduling, staff/personnel issues and advertising. They are responsible for setting journalistic and editorial standards, for providing a vision for the newspaper, and for ensuring its continued production. With the support of their paid staff and volunteers, the SEIC is responsible for appointing editors, recruiting staff, creating and editing copy, and meeting deadlines. The SEIC is responsible for generating revenue through advertising sales to assist ASI subsidy for the publication. They assist in budget control with the Assistant Director of Student Media and serves on the ASI Student Media Board.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Ensures that content relevant to the student body is created in a timely and conscientious manner. Writes copy as necessary to supplement the work submitted by writing staff.
- Manages the coordination of cross-platform content creation with the assistance of the two other branches of student media - 22 West Radio and 22 West Television.
- Is responsible for the final read on all copy and proofreading of all pages before they are sent to the printer or published online. Checks content for legal and ethical concerns and consults with the Assistant Director of Student Media on all content that is potentially libelous, obscene, or in conflict with community standards of the University, or that has the potential to create a material interference and substantial physical disruption of CSULB’s educational activities.
- Exercises final authority over the editorial content of the newspaper and online publication and assumes sole liability for any cause of action arising from the publication of that content.
- Ensures that staff members abide by the 22 West Media Operating Policies and Procedures, ASI policy statements, and university policies. Ensures that 22 West Magazine complies with the professional standards set forth in the Society for Professional Journalists Code of Ethics for all news, news features, sports and other factual reporting, and also the ASI style guide.
- Appoints qualified editors, reporters, photographers, copy editors, columnists, reviewers and artists. Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and management of editorial and art production staff. Complies with ASI Human Resources policy and procedures.
- Chairs the editorial board and writes editorials, as needed or desired.
- Conducts weekly staff meetings. Provides regular feedback, constructive comments, and training for all staff members.
- Coordinates with the ASI Assistant Director of Student Media and Graduate Assistant for training of all editors and writers through a summer retreat and/or workshop series.
- With the Managing Editor, coordinates copy and layout with the Managing, Section, and Production Editors, and establishes specific deadlines for stories, photos, illustrations, and art.
- Answers university, public and student comments, concerns and questions on a timely basis. Represents the newspaper at official on- and off-campus meetings and functions.
- Performs all business activities for the magazine, including purchasing, collections, and remittance of accounts payable.
- Establishes advertising rates with the Advertising Manager and Director, USU Programs, subject to the approval of ASI Media Advisory Committee.
- Responsible for generating advertising revenue with appointed sales staff to reach target financial goals for the year. Makes necessary print decisions as needed to assist in budget maintenance with the Assistant Director of Student Media.
- Attends quarterly meetings of the Media Advisory Committee and reports on the editorial and financial operations of the magazine. Forwards nominations to the Board for monthly recognition of outstanding work by student volunteers.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises student employees and volunteers in 22 West Media Publishing department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and/or Experience
Must be concurrently enrolled at CSULB in six or more undergraduate units (3 or more graduate units) with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Current enrollment in a B.A. or M.A. program in Journalism, Communications, English, or a related discipline preferred. Must have one year of college newspaper experience or the equivalent; a minimum of one semester experience with the student online publication or print magazine is preferred. Enrollment for both semesters of the upcoming academic year is required.
Knowledge and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of correct English - grammar, spelling and punctuation; thorough knowledge of editorial and art production operations of a newspaper/magazine or similar publication and the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics; working knowledge of the legal concepts of “libel,” “obscenity,” and “material interference and substantial physical disruption of educational activities;” working knowledge of public open meeting laws, public records/freedom of information acts, and the policies of the CSU, CSULB and ASI.
- Must be familiar with the defenses to libel and is expected to read the libel manual included in the Associated Press Stylebook or otherwise demonstrate familiarity. Must be able to recognize a call for formal correction and be prepared to respond, as the law and good judgment require.
- Ability to work nights and weekends in order to meet publication deadlines. Ability to effectively present information to university management, student groups, and/or boards of directors.
- Must have a working knowledge of FCC regulations and their governance over content on the FM radio station. Must also be familiar with basic video production process.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit at a desk or computer workstation and use hands and fingers to key data, sort documents, and file paperwork. The employee is frequently required to stand and be able to talk or hear in interactions with others. The employee is occasionally required to walk to other offices within the building and around the campus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
