Open Field Editorial Board

Each year, Open Field, Cornell’s literary and art magazine, is produced by a team of student editors, advised by the Director of the Center for the Literary Arts. Members of the editorial board are eligible to receive .5 course credit (ENG 715: Editing) as well as Ingenuity in Action credit for their work throughout the year. Students may apply for the following positions (positions may be modified or reorganized based on the skills of the applicant pool):

Managing Editor. Serves as the point person between the editorial board, faculty advisor, and authors/artists. Plans editorial board meetings. Ensures that layout and editing proceeds according to schedule.

Designer. Designs and lays out the magazine using InDesign and works with the Copy Editor and Poetry and Prose Editors to proofread the magazine over several passes during Blocks 6-7. Experience with InDesign is highly desirable, but some training will be available.

Prose Editor. Drafts the call for prose submissions and works with the Publicist to launch the Submittable site in early Block 4. Works with the Poetry Editor on running the literature selection committees in blocks 5-6, which chooses prose pieces to include in the magazine.

Poetry Editor. Drafts the call for prose submissions and works with the Publicist to launch the Submittable site in early Block 4. Works with the Prose Editor on running the literature selection committees in blocks 5-6, which chooses poems, to include in the magazine.

Art Editor. Drafts the call for art submissions and works with the Publicist to launch the Submittable site in early Block 4. Takes the lead on running the art selection committee in Blocks 5-6. May assist with layout or formatting for the accepted artwork; may help artists arrange photography of their work to encourage submissions. Experience with Photoshop is preferred, but some training will be available.

Publicist. Takes the lead on advertising for submissions and for the art and literature selection committees. Holds workshops, write-ins, and other events to encourage submissions during Block 4 (and possibly over winter break and the first week of Block 5). Assists with the magazine launch at Awards Night in Block 8 and in distributing magazine copies around campus.

Copy Editor. Coordinates copy editing and proofreading between the Designer and the Poetry, Prose,and Art Editors. Conducts final proofreading passes in block 7, coordinating with the faculty advisor, before the issue goes to press. Works with the designer to lay out the magazine as needed. 

Assistant Editor. Assists the Poetry, Prose, and Art Editors with all selection committee meetings. Participates in other tasks as needed.

To Apply: By Monday, October 14, at midnight (11:59 p.m.), send openfield@cornellcollege.edu the following in the body of an email:

(a) a short paragraph describing why you'd like to join the editorial board and outlining prior experiences that prepare you to do so; also indicate whether you have sufficient time to devote to this responsibility;

(b) the two positions you're most interested in, ranked, with brief comments regarding relevant skills; any positions you would not take on, if any.

(c) the name of one Cornell faculty or staff member who has agreed to serve as a reference for you; (the reference does not need to submit anything but may be contacted);

(d) the times you are available for a 20-minute interview during week one of Block 3, M-F between 11-1 and between 3-5.

Note: Students who served on the editorial board in the previous academic year need only submit (b). Students who served on one or more selection committees need to send the complete application; note this experience in (a).

Only complete applications, according to the instructions above, will be considered. If you have questions prior to applying, email rentel@cornellcollege.edu before the deadline.

The call for members of the selection committee (who read and review submissions but do not serve a role on the board) will go out in January.