​Join the Editorial Board

Sometimes the best editorial writers are those with that devil-may-care attitude that lets them write exactly what they think and feel, bringing to the table those spitting ideas that prod and provoke. Other times, the very best editorial writers are those who are carefully introspective. They consider all the angles and elegantly explore new and sometimes surprising ideas to encourage progress through reflection. In either case—and all the cases in between—a quality editorial writer makes it their duty to make discoveries in spaces for discussion, whether that means creatively trying their hand at age-old questions or breaking entirely new ground with an appraising eye. These people want to leave their intentional mark, however fleeting, on their communities to offer what they believe to be true and valuable opinions.

Today, we invite those who share our drive for discovery and productive truth to join us in our forum of choice. The independent Editorial Board of The Chronicle is open and hiring.

Why join the Editorial Board? Because your voice has value. Every student on campus has an opinion to put forward, and we want to put together the very best and most prolific minds to debate and take a stand on our campus’ most pressing issues. We promise a diversity of thought and rousing level of conversation to shape campus dialogue. We make our daily published contribution to campus through our space here on the back spread of the Chronicle. Our twice weekly meetings produce five systematic but highly organic discussions that in turn generate five editorials written up by a collaborative rotation of our members.

In a typical meeting, we will pool our thoughts on what topics are most timely for students to read about, select two or three topics to flesh out into editorials and pick the issue apart together to find our best united opinion. What we practice is far from a perfect science—requiring an interest in having a broad base of knowledge for all that university life entails—but it is a rewarding one. It takes a good-natured student to wrangle with the opinions of others and still remain friends, but if you are down for the discussion, our conference table may just suit you.

Here’s the kind of person we are looking for.

Someone who speaks honestly. Someone in touch with student opinion. Someone who cares about student discussion on campus. Somebody invested in the student body but not dominated by its tides of opinion. Someone with a strong, clear style of writing. Someone unafraid of formally and informally debating others, posing questions and prospecting answers from their peers and administrative superiors. Someone who sees Duke as an institution in higher education, beyond their four years and even before them. Someone who does not mind leaving behind the Oxford comma. My personal favorite—someone who comes to meetings prepared and on time. And someone who enjoys the company of those who also fit this description.

Editorial writing should not be taken up by the pushy or brash but is for the sensibly bold among us. We want members whose only bias is bias towards the better argument and whose passion is to be heard on important issues, all in the pursuit of the highest quality opinions. So prepare to add your splash of color to our lively debate by joining the Editorial Board. Email lg138@duke.edu for more information.