New IDS editor in chief selected

The IU Student Media Board selected senior Rick Newkirk Friday as the editor in chief of the Indiana Daily Student for the spring 2006 semester.\nNewkirk was selected after an hour-long question and answer session in the Indiana Memorial Union by a panel including representatives from the IDS, the Arbutus, the IU Student Association, the IU School of Journalism, the Bloomington Faculty Council and the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.\nThe IU Student Media Board was formed this year as a combination of the IDS Publications Board and the Arbutus Publications Board.\nNewkirk was the only candidate for the position and has served as a staff writer, senior writer, photographer, columnist and managing editor in past semesters. He is currently an editor of the Campus section.\n"I believe I've made a place for myself in the IDS family," Newkirk said to the panel and those present.\nDuring the session, Newkirk spoke of changes he would like to make, such as staff reorganization, a larger focus on investigative coverage and recruitment of a more diverse staff.\n"I have visions of what I think the newspaper should be, and I want to lead it and make sure it's headed in the right direction," Newkirk said in an interview.\nTo increase staff diversity, Newkirk said he would consider people's backgrounds and viewpoints when reviewing applications, but not seek out people who did not want to apply just to achieve diversity.\n"If we don't have other viewpoints represented in the newsroom, we don't have accurate reporting for the community," Newkirk said during the session.\nElizabeth Beltramini, an IDS alumna and member of the IU Student Media Board, expressed confidence in Newkirk's ability, but believed some of his goals would be difficult to achieve.\n"I thought he was very well spoken and able to think on his feet without missing a beat," Beltramini said. "I think reaching out to some untapped groups and increasing the diversity of the staff will be challenging tasks."\nNewkirk believes some groups on campus have not received enough attention. He said he believes the trend can be reversed by a heavier reliance on the newspaper "beat" system, in which reporters devote themselves to covering a certain topic exclusively.\n"More lower-level organization leads to more time for the editors to spend on things that they really should be doing," Newkirk said in the interview.\nHe also prioritized a sense of community in the newsroom, saying he would try to make staff members feel appreciated, but also let them know about their mistakes.\nSenior Maggie Bozich, editor of the IDS Weekend Features section and member of the Student Media Board, felt confident in Newkirk's qualifications for the position.\n"I think Rick has the enthusiasm and determination that will keep the IDS at the level of excellence that we're at right now," she said.\nDavid Adams, director of Student Media and a professor in the School of Journalism, also expressed confidence in Newkirk.\n"I think he's very intelligent and very respected by his peers," Adams said. "Ever since Rick walked into the newsroom, he's wanted to grow as a journalist and a person, and I think he will make an excellent editor in chief of the paper."\nDuring the question and answer session, Newkirk promised a strong and serious commitment to the IDS.\n"Some people may question my seriousness, and it's something that I've had to combat for the last year or year and a half," he said. "I think everyone knows at this point I'm serious. I'm going to work as hard as they are. If they put in 12 hours, I'll put in 13."\nAnyone interested in speaking to Newkirk is urged to contact him at renewkir@indiana.edu.