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| Written by Admin | ||||
| Monday, 20 August 2007 03:14 PM | ||||
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Frequently Asked Questions
Telephone: 817.272.3188 • Fax: 817.272.5009
What is The Shorthorn? The Shorthorn is the student-run newspaper at The University of Texas at Arlington . It has been publishing since 1919. How often does The Shorthorn publish? Four times a week — Tuesday through Friday — during the fall and spring semesters and twice a week — Tuesday and Thursday — during the summer. How did The Shorthorn get its name? In 1919, cadets at Grubbs Vocational College (one of the University of Texas at Arlington's eight names since 1895) needed a name for their fledgling literary/humor magazine. With a $2.50 prize from the dean as incentive, student submitted names — KornKob, Swat News, Horse Sense, Grubworm and Tool among them — and, in a three-ballot runoff, selected Shorthorn over the other finalists, GVC Shots and Thistle. That explains how the name was selected, but there are no records about why it was suggested. Grubbs Vocational College was affiliated with Texas A&M University (not the University of Texas System), so the name may have been a swat at an intra-state rival. Another theory says it was suggested because farms and ranches raising shorthorn cattle surrounded campus in those days, a far cry from UT Arlington's metropolitan setting today. The first issue — 48 pages with a bull in a bull's-eye for a cover — appeared in April 1919. The publication came out monthly in a 6-inch by 9-inch format. It changed to newspaper format in 1921. On a campus noted for change, The Shorthorn remains one of the oldest traditions, rivaled only by the Sam Houston Rifles drill team. It went daily in 1977, following stints as a biweekly and a weekly. Who decides what goes in the paper? The student editors have sole control over the content of The Shorthorn. Students make all the assignments, do all the reporting, editing, photography and design, ad sales, marketing, and make all decisions determining if and when a story will run. Many stories come from reporters covering their assigned "beats." But the UT Arlington campus is large and our staff is small. Editors welcome suggestions for story ideas. Anyone can submit a story idea, by either calling a reporter or editor (817-272-3661) or using the form at this link. What's a typical day like at The Shorthorn? Part of the challenge — and the enjoyment — of being a Shorthorn staff member is that the days are sometimes anything but typical. Nevertheless, it all works around deadlines. Most staff members schedule classes during the mornings when possible. The pace in The Shorthorn office picks up in the afternoon. Reporters and photographers work on assignments, which are due at 4 p.m. They turn in their work to their respective editors, who meet at mid-afternoon to decide where each story and photograph will be placed in the next day's paper. Copy editors, proofreaders and page designers come in later and using the story "budget" created by editors who design and produce the issue, leaving space for stories and photos that will be coming in later that day. The finished issue is sent to the contract printer electronically at midnight, and that issue is printed and distributed by 9 a.m. the next morning. And then the process that we affectionately call "the daily miracle" begins all over. While the news content is being produced in the process outlined above, several other areas are working in advance, each under its own deadline schedule. Advertising sales representatives work in advance so ads can be scheduled, designed and produced for the issue each advertiser has selected. Opinion and Scene pages also are produced in advance. Do I have to be a journalism major to be on The Shorthorn staff? No. You do have to be a UT Arlington student, and students planning careers in journalism, advertising, photography, design and other media-related fields find Shorthorn experience invaluable. But students from all majors are eligible to apply for staff positions. In most semesters, The Shorthorn's 65-70 staff members will come from approximately 20 majors. Do I have to have prior journalism experience to work in The Shorthorn? It definitely helps. Applicants with journalism experience or coursework have a head start in meeting Shorthorn job expectations. But prior journalism experience or journalism coursework is not a must. If you're serious about wanting to be on staff, are willing to make a commitment to the job and have the time to do it, we encourage you to apply. Are positions paid? Yes. Pay varies according to position. An editor or manager is paid a fixed rate, a reporter is paid by the story, a sales representative is paid by commission, etc. How can I get a Shorthorn staff position? All positions are filled through an application/interview process. Fill out an application and turn it in, and that will get the process started. Click here for a list of available positions, job descriptions, and a link to the application form. How much time does it take to be a Shorthorn staff member? Each staff position has its own requirements. Reporters, for example, are expected to report and write at least two stories a week. Photographers are expected to work on at least two issues of the paper each week. Advertising sales representatives have sales quotas to meet. And so forth. And each position has its own deadlines. Each staff members have to have enough time to meet the requirement of her or his position, including meeting Shorthorn deadlines. The Shorthorn provides training — including time management training — to help staffers meet these expectations. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 11 August 2008 04:39 PM ) | ||||
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