Zachary Winslett
Arts and Entertainment Editor
The Rubicon, Troy University’s student-run literary journal, has plans to grow and reorganize its infrastructure this year with a new editor-in-chief at the helm.
Samantha Loff, a senior English major from Dothan, is hoping to use her position as a student leader to raise the standards of the Rubicon.
“I hope to increase the size and quality of the Rubicon by more efficient advertising and publicizing,” Loff said.
The editor-in-chief of the Rubicon must have served the publication for a year and a half before he or she can apply, as well as maintain a 3.2 GPA.
Loff was formerly an editor on the staff, and she has taken several creative writing classes, which left her feeling “prepared to fairly assess poetry and prose.”
“I wanted to be editor-in-chief because I felt I had good ideas and the motivation to pursue them,” she said. “I wanted everyone to find a purpose in the membership as staff editors.”
Loff’s goal to bring purpose and specificity to the Rubicon’s staff has already been set in motion. Staff interviews were held last week, and Loff emphasized reorganizing the staff into goal-oriented units.
“I would really like to have all our staff members — 28 in total — to align in committees and collaborate as teams. It could benefit us greatly.”
The Rubicon added 20 members this semester after interviewing 40 students, questioning them about their goals for literature and the Rubicon.
The new and already existing members were then sorted into five committees. Each committee is dedicated to either poetry, prose, marketing, fundraising or design.
In terms of quality, the Rubicon hopes to upgrade the quality of its binding.
In combination with her plans to increase the size of the staff and the quality of the publication, Loff also plans to increase the literal size of the publication. The Rubicon last year was 20 pages; this year Loff is aiming for 30.
However, increasing the size and quality of the Rubicon isn’t free, and Loff’s goals will face challenges in funding.
“One of our largest challenges will definitely be funding. It’s expensive to print (the Rubicon), but I am hoping, with adequate fundraising, we can accomplish this.”
The Rubicon’s editor-in-chief also recognizes fundraising as a tool for recruiting and advertising, and she hopes the Rubicon’s efforts to raise money will equally serve as networking.
Submissions for the Rubicon are due by Oct. 1, and Loff encourages students to submit regardless of any hesitations.
“Students interested in submitting should go for it. Don’t let fear limit you. It’s a process worth the risk.”
The Rubicon is also accepting submissions from all of Troy’s nearby sister campuses– Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City– in order to increase the size of the publication.
Next semester the Rubicon will be accepting submissions from Troy alumni.
On Dec. 4, or dead day, the Rubicon will host a launch party to show off all the work that went into this semester’s issue.
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