Journalists Need Not Apply

The student editor and the communication professor kept yesterday's search committee meeting open, but they failed to keep the committee open-minded.

Twice Karla and Professor Bailyn were the only votes for candidates who possessed the most journalism experience.

Even worse, the weakest candidates were touted by the other two media outlets.

The radio station manager recommended a grad student who worked 11 months as a radio producer – and who applied at the UP last week with an email that began, "I was the posting on the FAU job website about the UP wanting a tv reporter." She currently works as a tour guide at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

The manager of the TV station chose a talent agent who's also a lawyer. His reason? "Maybe we can use some of his legal experience."

Professor Bailyn pointed out student media can always call upon the FAU attorney's office for legal advice. As for this candidate, "He's a TV talent coach. Entertainment law is his field, which is a peculiar match for this job."

Speaking of peculiar, I wondered why an attorney who purports to have passed both the Florida and California bar would apply for a university job that pays a max of $43,000.

Because the campus TV and radio stations don't practice journalism, I understand why they would shun journalistic candidates and favor those with technical experience. But nothing excuses the Student Government representative who admitted he hadn't read any of the applications.

He was filling in for the student body president who no-showed for the second straight meeting – even though the start time was moved to fit his class schedule.

When Karla began to ask the SG rep how he could possibly cast an educated vote, he interrupted with a dismissive wave, "I've been briefed a little bit on each candidate."

Can't wait to hear next week's telephone interviews.

TOMORROW: Advertising for trouble.