Grilling the new guy

Washington has been full of chatter about confirmation hearings. President Bush marked a success with an easy confirmation of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Then, in a complete turnaround, Harriet Miers' botched nomination tarnished the White House. Now, with conservative judge Sam Alito nominated to the Supreme Court, a battle is expected in D.C. What questions will be asked? Who will filibuster? Will make it through the confirmation hearings?\nThough not as dramatic, the Indiana Daily Student is about to embark on its own confirmation hearings this week. With a lot less controversy than the Supreme Court, the IDS will soon have a new editor in chief selected.\nBeing editor in chief of the IDS is not a lifetime appointment. Every semester, the entire staff changes -- that is, unless people reapply for their positions. Not many people understand the constant turnover and I always get calls from people wanting to talk to spring editor in chief Josh Sanburn.\nConstant turnover is definitely the biggest problem the IDS faces. Once we get people who know how to do their jobs -- poof! They're gone. We are always training new staff members. We also often get complaints about previous semesters. I try to explain to readers that someone who misquoted them five years ago no longer works for our staff, but we still have it held against us.\nThe process for selecting an editor in chief is quite extensive. Although our new editor in chief won't take over until next semester, the application process began weeks ago.\nApplicants must fulfill only a few qualifications. You have to be a registered student in good standing during your semester as editor in chief and must have been at IU for two previous semesters. That's all. Anyone can apply. You don't even have to have worked for the IDS (although I doubt someone would be selected without any staff experience).\nApplicants answer several questions in a very extensive application, which averages seven to 10 pages. Question topics range from promoting diversity within staff and enhancing the Web site. The applications are posted on the Web at www.idsnews.com/eic and in the newsroom (Ernie Pyle Hall, Room 12) for all to see.\nThe next step is to speak in front of the publications board. Each candidate gives a speech and is interviewed by the publications board separately. The publications board is made up of professional journalists, IU faculty members and student leaders. In addition, students from the IDS and Arbutus are elected to represent their staffs in selecting the next editor in chief.\nDuring the publications board meeting, each candidate is usually grilled by the members of the board. Misspellings in the application, news judgment decisions and grades are all fair play. Questions are also opened up to the audience and some of the questions are pretty tough. Anyone can attend the publications board meeting and ask questions.\nThe publications board then convenes and makes a decision about which candidate will lead the IDS. If only one candidate exists, it's likely he or she will be confirmed, but a vote of "no confidence" is possible.\nThe same process also applies for our yearbook, the Arbutus.\nCampus Editor Rick Newkirk is the only candidate for IDS editor in chief for the spring. If you would like to attend his publications board meeting, join us at 1 p.m. this Friday in the Persimmon Room of the Indiana Memorial Union.