Join The Stentor for 2008-2009!
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
WHY THE STENTOR: The Stentor is the award-winning weekly journal of Lake Forest College. With a weekly circulation of over 1000, The Stentor reaches current students, alumni, parents, faculty, the administration, the city of Lake Forest, and friends of the College. The paper is staffed entirely by students, from staff writers up to the editor-in-chief, and enjoys an atmosphere of free speech supported by the school's administration. The Stentor is an active, dues-paying member of the Illinois Collegiate Press Association. Working forThe Stentor is an excellent opportunity to learn journalistic and business skills. All staff positions are paid; rates of pay vary by job. Additionally, participating in college journalism is universally considered to be a plus among graduate schools and potential employers.
Finally, as a member of The Stentor's staff, you will have the chance to positively influence your campus. The Stentor's staff has consistently brought attention to issues important to the student body, and will continue to ensure that the student body's voice is heard, through both reporting and publishing letters to the editor. The Stentor is, at its core, a populist organization, acting as a consistent watchdog for students. While stories are assigned to Staff Writers almost weekly, any student - on staff or not - can submit their own ideas for a story.
No other campus organization can claim this level of influence, fluidity, and openness.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK AT THE STENTOR: While every job at The Stentor is different, most editorial staff can expect to be in the office Monday and Tuesday evenings to lay out their sections and copy edit pieces, and are expected to attend a weekly editorial meeting. Staff Writers and Business Representatives can essentially set their own schedules.
The Stentor's office is currently located on the first floor of Johnson B. The office is equipped with numerous Apple iMacs, and utilizes Microsoft Office for word processing and graph creation, in addition to Adobe Photoshop for photo editing and Adobe InDesign for page layout. The paper maintains a number of audio recorders and cameras for staff to utilize as needed.
The Job: The Features Editor is responsible for coordinating the Features section of the paper every week, as well as a monthly "Centerspread." The Features section acts as The Stentor's arts and entertainment pages, covering events both on- and off-campus, as well as reporting on events held by campus organizations. The Features section won First Place for Design at the 2008 Illinois Collegiate Press Association Convention in Chicago.
The Editor will be responsible for assigning stories to a group of Staff Writers, and to coordinate their weekly contributions into a cohesive whole. The Editor will then layout the pages on Monday and/or Tuesday nights. Additionally, the Editor will try to recruit new Staff Writers, as well as seek one-time contributions from various members of the student body. The Features Editor will report to the Managing Editor and the Editor-in-Chief.
The Pay: The Features Editor will be paid each semester, earning a set proportion of the semester's ad and subscription revenue, and based upon a performance review.
SPORTS EDITOR
The Job: The Sports Editor is responsible for coordinating the Sports page each week. The Editor oversees a group of Sports Writers and Photographers. In the past, Sports Editors have also submitted a weekly column for their section, though this is not necessarily required. The Editor should see to it that all sports events on- and off-campus are covered, and that each sport receives adequate attention. The Editor is encouraged to recruit new Sports Writers and Contributors, and to foster lasting relationships with teams and coaches.
The Pay: The Sports Editor will be paid each semester, earning a set proportion of the semester's ad and subscription revenue, and based upon a performance review.
COPY EDITORS
The Job: Copy Editors are responsible for editing all incoming stories for grammar, style, and content, as well as checking the newspaper as a whole for any errors. Generally, Copy Editors work as stories are received and forwarded to them by the section editors; Copy Editors are also expected to come on Tuesday evenings to help with final layout and last-minute proofreading. Copy Editors report to the Proof Editor and Managing Editor.
The Pay: Copy Editors are paid each semester, earning a set proportion of the semester's ad and subscription revenue, and based upon a performance review.
STAFF WRITERS / SPORTS WRITERS
The Job: Staff Writers and Sports Writers are the backbone of The Stentor. Each writer is assigned to a section of his or her choosing (either News, Features, or Sports), and reports to that section's editor. Stories are assigned on a weekly basis, though Writers are always welcome (and encouraged) to formulate their own stories. Each new Staff Writer and Sports Writer begins as a Contributor; after the completion of a Contributor's third story, they will be invited to join the staff.
Staff Writers may also apply for a specific beat. For instance, a Staff Writer may apply to be the permanent correspondent for General Assembly, and will report on the weekly GA meetings, as well as committee meetings. Another example would be the theater beat in Features, which would cover all new play openings, as well as any other happenings in the theater department. To apply for a specific beat, interested Staff Writers should talk to their section editor.
The Pay: Staff Writers and Sports Writers are paid per story published. Pay scales vary by section of the paper. A Contributor position is unpaid; however, once a Contributor joins the staff of the paper, they will receive back payment for their first three stories as well as a signing bonus, and payment for every story thereafter.
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Job: Staff photographers receive assignments from the Head Photographer, as well as from individual section editors. Staff photographers are encouraged to provide their own equipment, though The Stentor maintains a few cameras for staff use.
The Pay: Staff Photographers are paid per picture published. Like the Staff Writer position, a Photographer must have three photos published before payment starts (upon hiring as a staff member, the Staff Photographer will receive back payment for any photos already published as well as a signing bonus).
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
The Job: The Distribution Manager will be responsible for sending out all subscriptions and placing copies of the paper at set locations across the campus and within the city of Lake Forest (and possibly Highwood). The Distribution Manager will also attempt to sell subscriptions to parents and alumni. The Distribution Manager will additionally be responsible for archiving a set number of papers both within The Stentor's archives and the library's archives. Finally, the Distribution Manager will help Business Representatives sell advertisements.
The Distribution Manager will report to the Editor-in-Chief.
The Pay: The Distribution Manager will be paid up to $300 per semester, based upon a performance evaluation reviewed by members of The Stentor's Editorial Board.
BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES
The Job: Business representatives are responsible for managing advertising accounts with local businesses, as well as assisting the Distribution Manager with subscriptions. Representatives set their own schedule, and are encouraged to meet with and regularly contact business owners.
Representatives are entitled to use The Stentor's office and equipment. Business Representatives report to the Editor-in-Chief.
The Pay: Business Representatives earn 10% of each ad they sell; Representatives have the potential to make more money than any other student worker on campus. There is no limit to the number of ads any Representative may sell, and Representatives are highly encouraged to sell as many ads as they can.
Finally, as a member of The Stentor's staff, you will have the chance to positively influence your campus. The Stentor's staff has consistently brought attention to issues important to the student body, and will continue to ensure that the student body's voice is heard, through both reporting and publishing letters to the editor. The Stentor is, at its core, a populist organization, acting as a consistent watchdog for students. While stories are assigned to Staff Writers almost weekly, any student - on staff or not - can submit their own ideas for a story.
No other campus organization can claim this level of influence, fluidity, and openness.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK AT THE STENTOR: While every job at The Stentor is different, most editorial staff can expect to be in the office Monday and Tuesday evenings to lay out their sections and copy edit pieces, and are expected to attend a weekly editorial meeting. Staff Writers and Business Representatives can essentially set their own schedules.
The Stentor's office is currently located on the first floor of Johnson B. The office is equipped with numerous Apple iMacs, and utilizes Microsoft Office for word processing and graph creation, in addition to Adobe Photoshop for photo editing and Adobe InDesign for page layout. The paper maintains a number of audio recorders and cameras for staff to utilize as needed.
OPEN POSITIONS
FEATURES EDITORThe Job: The Features Editor is responsible for coordinating the Features section of the paper every week, as well as a monthly "Centerspread." The Features section acts as The Stentor's arts and entertainment pages, covering events both on- and off-campus, as well as reporting on events held by campus organizations. The Features section won First Place for Design at the 2008 Illinois Collegiate Press Association Convention in Chicago.
The Editor will be responsible for assigning stories to a group of Staff Writers, and to coordinate their weekly contributions into a cohesive whole. The Editor will then layout the pages on Monday and/or Tuesday nights. Additionally, the Editor will try to recruit new Staff Writers, as well as seek one-time contributions from various members of the student body. The Features Editor will report to the Managing Editor and the Editor-in-Chief.
The Pay: The Features Editor will be paid each semester, earning a set proportion of the semester's ad and subscription revenue, and based upon a performance review.
SPORTS EDITOR
The Job: The Sports Editor is responsible for coordinating the Sports page each week. The Editor oversees a group of Sports Writers and Photographers. In the past, Sports Editors have also submitted a weekly column for their section, though this is not necessarily required. The Editor should see to it that all sports events on- and off-campus are covered, and that each sport receives adequate attention. The Editor is encouraged to recruit new Sports Writers and Contributors, and to foster lasting relationships with teams and coaches.
The Pay: The Sports Editor will be paid each semester, earning a set proportion of the semester's ad and subscription revenue, and based upon a performance review.
COPY EDITORS
The Job: Copy Editors are responsible for editing all incoming stories for grammar, style, and content, as well as checking the newspaper as a whole for any errors. Generally, Copy Editors work as stories are received and forwarded to them by the section editors; Copy Editors are also expected to come on Tuesday evenings to help with final layout and last-minute proofreading. Copy Editors report to the Proof Editor and Managing Editor.
The Pay: Copy Editors are paid each semester, earning a set proportion of the semester's ad and subscription revenue, and based upon a performance review.
STAFF WRITERS / SPORTS WRITERS
The Job: Staff Writers and Sports Writers are the backbone of The Stentor. Each writer is assigned to a section of his or her choosing (either News, Features, or Sports), and reports to that section's editor. Stories are assigned on a weekly basis, though Writers are always welcome (and encouraged) to formulate their own stories. Each new Staff Writer and Sports Writer begins as a Contributor; after the completion of a Contributor's third story, they will be invited to join the staff.
Staff Writers may also apply for a specific beat. For instance, a Staff Writer may apply to be the permanent correspondent for General Assembly, and will report on the weekly GA meetings, as well as committee meetings. Another example would be the theater beat in Features, which would cover all new play openings, as well as any other happenings in the theater department. To apply for a specific beat, interested Staff Writers should talk to their section editor.
The Pay: Staff Writers and Sports Writers are paid per story published. Pay scales vary by section of the paper. A Contributor position is unpaid; however, once a Contributor joins the staff of the paper, they will receive back payment for their first three stories as well as a signing bonus, and payment for every story thereafter.
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Job: Staff photographers receive assignments from the Head Photographer, as well as from individual section editors. Staff photographers are encouraged to provide their own equipment, though The Stentor maintains a few cameras for staff use.
The Pay: Staff Photographers are paid per picture published. Like the Staff Writer position, a Photographer must have three photos published before payment starts (upon hiring as a staff member, the Staff Photographer will receive back payment for any photos already published as well as a signing bonus).
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
The Job: The Distribution Manager will be responsible for sending out all subscriptions and placing copies of the paper at set locations across the campus and within the city of Lake Forest (and possibly Highwood). The Distribution Manager will also attempt to sell subscriptions to parents and alumni. The Distribution Manager will additionally be responsible for archiving a set number of papers both within The Stentor's archives and the library's archives. Finally, the Distribution Manager will help Business Representatives sell advertisements.
The Distribution Manager will report to the Editor-in-Chief.
The Pay: The Distribution Manager will be paid up to $300 per semester, based upon a performance evaluation reviewed by members of The Stentor's Editorial Board.
BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES
The Job: Business representatives are responsible for managing advertising accounts with local businesses, as well as assisting the Distribution Manager with subscriptions. Representatives set their own schedule, and are encouraged to meet with and regularly contact business owners.
Representatives are entitled to use The Stentor's office and equipment. Business Representatives report to the Editor-in-Chief.
The Pay: Business Representatives earn 10% of each ad they sell; Representatives have the potential to make more money than any other student worker on campus. There is no limit to the number of ads any Representative may sell, and Representatives are highly encouraged to sell as many ads as they can.
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