'Vane Only As Strong As Its People

Photo by Heather Nyce

Staff writer Dan Landes works in the Weather Vane office on Wednesday night, helping to put today's issue together. In the background, opinion editor Galen Wenger puts the finishing touches on his pages.

For the first time ever this spring, the Weather Vane went to full-color production. This fall will continue that successful venture, but there are still several staff positions that need to be filled.

The 'Vane will be continuing in color from now on, but looking ahead to the fall, many positions still remain open. Being a student newspaper means that the paper cannot be published without the work of students in putting the paper together each week. Although the levels of responsibility and time commitment vary, every position is vital in holding the organization together. Both academic credit and work-study pay (if the candidate is eligible) are available for 'Vane staff members. While working for the 'Vane does take up time, it is possible to be involved in other clubs, sports, and organizations at the same time.

Returning sophomore Dan Landes, currently a staff writer, will most likely be taking on the job of Co-Editor-in-Chief, but the other co-editor position has yet to be filled. The co-editors are responsible for putting the issue together each Wednesday night, overseeing the general organization, leading Monday night staff planning meetings, acting as the contact persons between the 'Vane and EMU as an institution, writing editorials, working with and helping staff members with tasks, and having a general understanding of all areas of production.

Candidates are lined up for 'Burg and Sports page editors, but the News Editor, Style Editor, and Opinion Editor positions are wide open for anyone interested. Page Editors are responsible for assigning writers to the articles on their pages each week, editing articles, and contributing article ideas.

David Troyer will be next year's Photography Editor. His job requires assigning photos, being familiar with Photoshop, editing photos, and being responsible for the 'Vane's camera. The position of Web Editor is still open as well. The job includes copying and then organizing files for placement online, placing files online, and working with the co-editors to select files for web placement.

Another essential part of the 'Vane staff is the core of staff writers and contributing writers. Staff writers are responsible for covering at least one article each week, whereas contributing writers write several articles over the course of the semester, but do not necessarily have an assignment every week. Copy editors, who check carefully over the details of each page on Wednesday nights and must have a good grasp of Associated Press and news writing styles, are also needed.

Several organizational positions are also open to interested candidates: Business Manager (can be worked out with the Business Department to count as an internship), Ads Salesperson, Ads Manager, and Circulation Manager. For information on the responsibilities of these jobs, or with questions regarding any of the positions, please contact the current co-editors at wvane@emu.edu. Check your EMU email for details regarding the informational meeting to be held Monday, Apr. 10 at 6 p.m.

The 'Vane went to color by reducing the number of total issues in the semester from 12 to nine, and by switching to the Northern Virginia Daily as its printer. Front, back, and center pages were printed in full color, with inside pages using spot color in headlines and highlight blocks. Other changes came to the paper with the use of color. A photo feature began on the back pages, and cartoons by juniors Melanie Pritchard and Boomer Bauman were able to be printed in color. The option was also created for advertisers to run their ads in spot or full color, which was taken advantage of by WCSC and Timberline Ski Resort, among others.