Alexander talks of LIFE changes; Web site among items discussed

Dave Alexander says CM LIFE’s presence on the World Wide Web will become
vitally important to the paper’s prosperity in the future.
“The Web product is a very important aspect of what CM LIFE is about and
what it will be about in the future,” he said. “Those who can’t get the
printed product will heavily depend on the Web product.”
Alexander, business editor for The Muskegon Chronicle, participated in
a public forum Monday morning as part of the interviewing process for
the director of Student Publications position, which oversees CM LIFE,
the Chippewa Yearbook and Framework, the campus literary magazine.
Director of Student Publications Jim Wojcik announced his retirement earlier
this semester after working in the department for nearly 30 years. He
is currently filling the position until a finalist is selected, and is
serving as a journalism temporary associate professor for the academic
year.
Alexander said the Web-based product of CM LIFE can provide an additional
source of revenue to the publication and allow for variances in presentation
between the print and Web pages.
“For an independent fresh look at the issues, people will turn to the
student newspaper. The question is how do you make money off the Web?
It’s not an easy thing to do, but if done right, it can provide an economic
boost to the paper,” he said.
But the main key to a successful tenure at CM LIFE is to connect with
the student staff, which is what Alexander intends to do.
“Time will provide that and going slow, being visible. I’m a hands-on
person; I like interaction. You take your time, assess and become comfortable
on both sides with whatever relationship is being developed.
“That starts to build over weeks and months and it starts to take hold
before the semester is out,” he said.
Alexander said, if he is selected, he would like to focus on placing challenges
before the paper’s staff including the use of topography and modern design.
“In terms of use of artwork and graphics, there’s room for growth,” he
said. “I would also like to see in-depth reporting and analysis where
it’s a step back to look at the broader picture of this community.”
Alexander said he would also encourage “maestroing,” which includes cooperation,
collaboration and teamwork between several people trained in various areas.
“You bring a diversity of talents together and that includes reporters,
desk editors and photo and art staff. They build the informational package
from all those disciplines … and how it will all come together.
“You must be able to work within this structure in many newspapers today,”
he said.
However, Alexander said, the changes will alter certain aspects of the
paper, not the publication as a whole.
“We’re not changing what we’re doing in journalism, we’re changing how
we do it. Those are the challenges that I would bring to the editorial
staff.”
Alexander said it is also important to maintain a good working relationship
between CM LIFE and the journalism department.
“As a student editor, it would only make sense that the two stay together,”
he said.
“The relationship will work based on the personalities involved. The students
also drive that relationship. What do you want out of both sides? How
close that is how close the players want to be and that will benefit the
overall thrust of journalism education at Central,” he said.
Alexander transferred to CMU in 1979 after receiving his associate’s degree
from Jackson Community College. While at Central, he worked at CM LIFE
as a reporter and assistant news editor during his junior year and editor
his senior year. He graduated from CMU in 1981 with a bachelor of applied
arts in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in political science.
He worked as a part-time sports reporter and twice as a summer intern
for the Jackson Citizen Patriot from 1977-79 and as summer editor for
the Brooklyn Exponent, based out of Brooklyn, Mich., in 1980.
In 1981, he went to work for The Muskegon Chronicle as a general assignment
reporter and served as the chief political reporter for the paper from
1983-89. From 1989-90, he served as the Chronicle’s Tri-Cities Bureau
chief, based in Grand Haven, and became the publication’s business editor
in 1991.
The last finalist to interview for the position is Neil Hopp, managing
editor for training and development of the Northwest Herald in Crystal
Lake, Ill., who will have an open forum from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. on Nov.
16 in the Bovee University Center’s Terrace A Room.