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Leading the Battalion
more than a 40-hour work week
by Ann Ramsbottom
Battalion Staff
Editor's position — 60 hours-
plus per week including Satur
days and Sundays. Wages less
than minimum and no over
time. Must take full responsibil
ity for any legal matters concern
ing newspaper content and
handle all complaints.
This accurately describes the
position of Battalion Editor
Diana Sultenfuss. The hours are
long, the pay is scant, but the
experience is priceless.
Sultenfuss, a senior journal
ism major from San Antonio,
said her experience as a Batta
lion editor will be a great asset
when she eventually looks for a
job in the 'real world'.
"Working with the Battalion
is a very realistic situation," Sul
tenfuss said. "For instance, we
don't have any advisers hanging
over us."
However, Sultenfuss said, a
university paper is unique in
many ways.
"Besides being a communica
tion tool for the university. The
Battalion serves as a laboratory
for journalism majors," she
said. Some stories are written by
students in journalism classes,
some photos are taken by begin
ning photography students and
a lot of the editing is done by the
editing class.
"We have a lot of unseasoned
workers," Sultenfuss said. "I
have to stop a lot of times to help
the beginners. But, the more
times I have to explain things,
the more I learn to communicate
with others."
Another big difference be
tween the Battalion and the 'real
world' is that staff members
don't work the entire day. They
have to go to school, too.
"Right now I feel that I want
to spend all of my time with my
job," Sultenfuss said. "The Bat
talion comes first."
Sultenfuss admits that this is
sometimes scary. School is a big
pull and presents a lot of press
ure, she said.
"You can't take big loads and
be effective," Sultenfuss said.
"I've had to change my study
habits from being well-prepared
for class to studying for quizzes
on the way to class. This bothers
me, but it's worth it."
One of the pluses of being edi
tor, she said, is being primarily
responsible for everything that
goes into The Battalion — news
and editorial comment.
"I'm a newsroom advice per
son, I represent The Battalion at
meetings, I'm an automatic
member of MSC Council, and I
handle compliments and com
plaints."
Sultenfuss added that those
same advantages quickly can
turn into disadvantages.
"Should any legal action
arise, it's my responsibility,"
Sultenfuss said.
Sultenfuss listed some of the
hassles she faces as editor —
conflicts with school; people
constantly calling concerning
letters to the editor, stories or
pictures; and having people tell
you what they want printed.
A typical day at The Battalion
for Sultenfuss starts at 7:30 or 8
a.m. in the newsroom. Most of
the morning is spent on the
phone. During the day she in
termittently attends class. Her
day in the office rarely ends until
midnight and often later. On a
typical Sunday, Sultenfuss be
gins work at 2 p.m. and works
until 9:30 p ; m. or 10 p.m. But
Sultenfuss said she has gotten
used to the hours.
Sultenfuss was hired as page
one editor for The Battalion in
September 1981. She also has
worked as assistant city editor.
Sultenfuss was named editor
after she submitted an applica
tion, was interviewed and
approved by the Student Publi
cations Board. The board is
made up of three faculty, three
students and one University
staff representative. The board's
recommendation for editor is
subject to approval by the vice
president for academic affairs.
Sultenfuss has served as edi
tor for two semesters and a sum
mer. But she said she'll miss
working on The Battalion after
she graduates in May.
She said she eventually plans
to become involved in newspap
er management on a mid-size to
large daily paper. She hopes to
get a job as a copy editor upon
graduation.
Diana said she prefers an
editing position because she en
joys explaining things to people,
coming up with ideas and help
ing others. But she admits that
The Battalion is a team effort;
everybody has a job to do, and
they do it.
"I would, of course, like to
say that we're the best universi
ty newspaper in the state," Sul
tenfuss said. "Our coverage is
good, and The Battalion looks
very clean and is easy to read.
"Most people would say that
the University of Texas' Daily
Texan is the best for the same
reasons. In addition, they have a
big journalism department, and
they have built a reputation.
We're working on ours and have
come a long way this year."
Bill Schulze