Cellar Roots Application for Editor in Chief, 2009-2010
DEADLINE for APPLICATIONS: 1 p.m. on MONDAY, April 27, 2009
Cellar Roots mission, adopted by the EMU Board of Regents, 1993:
“To provide a comprehensive magazine of the literary and visual arts or juried expression of the literary and visual arts of the students at Eastern Michigan University.”
The role of Editor in Chief (EIC) is to provide the leadership necessary to publish a print edition of Cellar Roots during the 2009-2010 academic year.
The EIC is responsible for recruiting, training, managing and evaluating a student staff; developing and implementing the processes necessary to solicit contributions, empanel a jury of experts in writing and art to review submissions and oversee the copy-editing, design, production, delivery and distribution of the book, all within the established budget. The EIC must be able to work cooperatively with the director of Student Media to ensure the financial health of the publication. The EIC serves as an ambassador and advocate for Cellar Roots and facilitates opportunities for students to gain publishing and art gallery exhibition experience.
The EIC reports to the Student Media Board of Directors but works on a day-to-day basis with the director of Student Media who acts on behalf of the Board overseeing fiscal matters, policies and procedures, performance, compliance/legal matters, strategic planning and outcomes and evaluation measures. The EIC currently receives $1,200/year, with half payable at the end of the first semester and the remainder payable upon completion of the book.
Editor in Chief qualifications:
- Applicants must be currently enrolled at EMU as a graduate or undergraduate student, must remain enrolled throughout their tenure as EIC and must be registered for classes with at least four credit hours for graduate students or six credit hours for undergrads
- Applicants must demonstrate strong project management skills and solid written and verbal communication skills
- Applicants must be in good academic standing with the university
- Applicants should have coursework and/or experience in writing, editing or visual arts and demonstrate an interest in and appreciation for the arts
Preferred qualifications include (i.e., “Candidate should….”):
- Understand the basic functions and job expectations of each staff position
- Have a professional demeanor
- Have a proven record of leadership
- Have an understanding of media law
Duties include:
- Recruit, hire, train and evaluate a team of editors, designers and other staff as needed.
- Develop budget and monitor spending.
- Develop print bid specifications and empanel and supervise jurors for selection process.
- Serve as the public face of Cellar Roots, representing the publication at university and community functions and events.
- Act as the final arbiter on content matters among staff members.
- Ensure the book gets printed in a timely fashion.
- Oversee related activities such as art gallery exhibits, poetry readings, concerts, etc.
- Other tasks as the need arises.
To apply for the EIC position, please submit:
- A signed and dated cover sheet with the following information:
- – Name and Student ID Number
– Local address, phone number, email
– Major/minor and expected date of graduation
– GPA is optional
- A cover letter of no more than 800 words addressed to the Student Media Board of Directors outlining applicant’s experience, assessment of Cellar Roots and vision for the coming year
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty, staff, employer or colleague
- Samples of work and achievements, i.e., clips, awards, pages designed, etc. (Please submit all clips, etc. on 8.5 x 11 size paper to facilitate the making of copies of each application. If you’re submitting page design samples, please make a PDF of the page and print it out on 8.5 x 11 paper – you can bring the actual page with you to the interview to show.) If you plan to submit an entire book as a sample of your work, please provide 12 copies.
Candidates who meet the above criteria will be interviewed by the Student Media Board of Directors on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at noon in 205 Welch Hall.
If you have questions on the application process or would like to see a sample of a previous application, please contact Kevin Devine at 734-487-1026 or kevin.devine@emich.edu.
Please submit all materials to:
Kevin S. Devine
Director of Student Media
230 King Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197