The new yearbook staff has many challenges ahead of them in the upcoming months.
The long laborious process of collecting information and pictures has begun and proves to be slower than predicted.
“It has been a slow process,” said Patsy Ziegler, the Alcalde advisor. “We have found an office in Frels building, Room 221. We had to get computers set up. Computer services provided two computers and Taylor Publishing provided one.”
A Taylor Publishing representative came and gave a seminar for the staff to teach them the In Design program. “It’s the latest system for page layout,” Ziegler said. “We will also use Photoshop.”
The four year program with Taylor Publishing will allow SHSU to create a staff, establish an office and develop a program of it’s own. Taylor Publishing assists the Alcalde staff in learning how to use new software and the process of collecting information and photographs. Taylor Publishing handles all of the advertising, publishing, sales and collecting data for the SHSU staff.
Ziegler explained that with Taylor Publishing compiling the yearbook for them it saves them two full time students. All communication between Taylor Publishing and the SHSU staff will be through the Internet. “We have a small budget and are able to pay the editors,” Ziegler said. The staff includes four associate editors and one senior editor. The photographers will be paid according to layout or individual pictures taken.
Also, in the spring journalism students will have the opportunity to participate on the yearbook staff. The journalism practicum class (JRN 320) will be given the option to help with the Houstonian staff or the Alcalde staff.
The biggest challenge for the staff is to highlight the last six years without the yearbook.
“The yearbook will have a segment on parchment paper that will tell about the past six years,” Ziegler said. “We could use help from students, faculty and staff to provide information about the past six years. We are looking through archives, old Houstonian’s and Today @ Sam.”
This fall the Alcalde staff also sent out letters to all of the departments at SHSU to identify changes in staff, curriculum or location that occurred in the past six years. In addition, departments were contacted to nominate one professor from each department for an outstanding teacher recognition that will be included in the yearbook. Each year, starting this year, the Alcalde staff will choose six professors to feature in the yearbook.
The theme for the new yearbook is based on its name, Alcalde, which means old mayor or old sheriff. The theme will be “There’s a new sheriff in town” and will highlight the new administration, new president, new buildings and all of the other new things around campus.
Many students are aware of the yearbook, however some of their parents are not. Taylor Publishing is contacting the students’ parents in regards to a student’s involvement at SHSU. Parents are asked what organizations the student is involved in and any honors they may have received in addition to verifying information.
Ziegler said, “There have been a few calls concerned about if the yearbook is real or if we were trying to get their credit card number.”
Some students have expressed concern about Taylor Publishing contacting their parents. Many students work their way through college and prefer that they be contacted in regards to their involvement on campus rather than their parents.
If students would prefer that their parents not be called in regards to the yearbook, they may contact the Alcalde staff at 294-4445 or Patsy Ziegler at 294-1499 to put their name on a list.
Some students are also concerned about the photograph on their ID cards being used for their yearbook photo. Ziegler said, “it is only for this year.”
“I think it’s a bad idea,” said John Dorsey, a junior, “most student I.D. photos look like prison photos, but I know most students wouldn’t take the time to get their photos taken.”
Heather Keith, a senior, said, “I think they should let students be aware that they are using the student I.D. photos and should allow students to submit an alternative photo.”
Keith further mentioned that the photo on her I.D. is from her freshman year and does not even look like her.
Erin Morris, a freshman, said, “I think it’s bad, but I also understand it would be hard to get photos from everyone.”
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” said Christen Hissong, a freshman, “it’s what you look like and it’s more convenient.”