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Show J . . ; ' Publications Council Sets Editor Criteria University Publications Council announced yesterday that it had arrived at a set of criteria for editors ed-itors of campus publications. The qualifications, drafted by chairman Wallace R. Bennett, associate dean of the College of Law, were approved ap-proved by a majority of the Council's Coun-cil's membership. "Since the Student Regulations Committee,' in its earlier criticism, recommended 'that the Publications Council publicize the procedure and criteria for the selection of editor well in advance of the application deadline,' it strikes me that we should try to have some kind of statement accompany our call for applicants," Dean Bennett said. Applications Called The list of qualifications was prepared pre-pared shortly after applications for editors and business managers of the three student publications were called for. Publications Council also al-so voted to change the positions of Chronicle editor and business manager man-ager to year-long jobs. The demand by various student groups for the Council to list the criteria by which it selects editors came after last spring's walkout by Chronicle staff members in protest of the appointment of Ralph Mabey as editor-in-chief for the coming semester. Council Objectives "The objective of Publications Council, in the selection of an editor, edi-tor, is to try to determine, from a comparison of available candidates, candi-dates, the one who seems best to combine the personal attributes and qualifications befitting that important impor-tant office," the Publications Council Coun-cil statement said. "Initial assessment assess-ment will be based on information stated in the application form and in supporting letters of recommendation recommen-dation and application form and in supporting letters of recommendation recommenda-tion and other supplemental sub missions, and from knowledge of the applicant evaluated by the outgoing out-going editor, staff, and by members of the Council; further judgment may later be made on the basis of personal interview if the particular applicant is chosen to appear as a finalist. "I. The first requisite of a successful suc-cessful student editor, who must be the prime recruiter and sustaining sustain-ing director of an essentially volunteer vol-unteer staff, is leadership ability and potential. He should be able to insipre confidence through an ability abil-ity to deal with staff workers and the University community as a whole with mature good judgment. He should have the capacity to make top management decisions in trying, often dynamically changing, chang-ing, circumstances. These personal person-al qualities demand intellectual acumen ac-umen and emotional balance, prop- er self-assurance, a sense of fair play, initiative, and resourcefulness. resourceful-ness. Competence "II. Technical competence is an obviously relevant factor. Whereas an editor must be able primarily to delegate and supervise, he should have some measure of experience in journalism or writing gained from service on the staff of student or other publications on campus or elsewhere. Class and workshop training will be considered. Time and dedication in service to the University will be weighed. The candidate's analysis and awareness aware-ness of the function and needs of the publication and of the total university, and his plans and program pro-gram for accomplishment will be judged." Other changes in application procedures pro-cedures include submission of a standardized application form and three letters of reference. Council Under Fire The Publications Council and its selection procedures for editors came under fire last spring when it chose Ralph Mabey, who then had had little contact with the Chronicle, as the paper's editor for the coming semester. Charged with playing politics, Chronicle editor Paul Taylor initiated a protest that resulted in 17 staff members leav- ( Continued on Page 2) Council Issues Criteria For Appointments (Continued from Page 1) ing their jobs and starting the "Student Voice (later the "Pillar of Salt")." Five staff members, in addition to two other students, had applied for the position. Publications Council again came under fire in January when it reappointed re-appointed Mabey after "drafting" him. The Council also was criticized criti-cized for eliminating three of the nine applicants after reading their applications. Editorial assistant J. Bauman, renewing the crusade to open up a direct avenue of protest to Publications Publica-tions Council, registered a complaint com-plaint with the Student Regulations Committee, which after indicating it had no jurisdiction in the matter, offered some opinions and criticisms. criti-cisms. The listing of qualifications and criteria is in response to one of those criticisms, according to Publications Pub-lications Council member Jan Van Orman. |