What is the role of a writer?

Writers are essential in generating content for The Hullabaloo. Contributors can write for any of our sections, including News, Sports, Views, Arcade or Data, and are free to write for more than one section. When becoming a staff writer, contributors must apply to one section (or News subsection).

Our writers have the opportunity to develop skills in journalistic reporting and writing and can gain access to events like concerts, festivals and sporting events for coverage purposes.

News

Our news section and its writers accurately report on all Tulane and New Orleans happenings pertinent to our community. The News section is composed of Campus and City subdivisions, with a corresponding editor for each one.

News articles range from investigative reporting to shorter news briefs and breaking news stories.

News pieces are fact-based and may utilize interviews, data, polls and other forms of source collection.

Arcade

Arcade covers all things New Orleans art and culture, and all things Tulane art and culture.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to: food and drink, fine art, performing arts, student life, music, festivals and attractions, shopping, TV, film and local culture.

Views

Views publishes op-ed pieces related to Tulane and New Orleans happenings and welcomes all fact-based opinions.

Op-eds are informal, argumentative essays that typically range from 500-800 words.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to: campus culture, social activism, safety and crime, student misconduct, administrative issues, academic departments, student organizations, admissions, health, diversity and sexuality.

Data

Data covers a wide range of topics within the scope of science and technology. We encourage the use of data visualization to understand complex topics through the lens of data-driven journalism.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to: artificial intelligence, weather events, Tulane research, science club spotlights, publish health and data analysis.

Sports

The sports section reports on a wide range of sporting events and news locally and nationally. We emphasize Tulane Athletics and club sports while also covering professional sports.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to: game previews and recaps, general sports news and “From the Basement,” The Hullabaloo’s sports opinion section.

Expectations for staff writers

Staff writers make up the core of The Hullabaloo’s personnel. These are the writers that sections can count on to most regularly submit content. As a staff writer, one has the chance to advance to a general or managing board position.

Contributors may apply to become staff writers after they have published 3 articles within a semester. Applications for staff writer positions are considered after the 3 article benchmark and on a rolling basis. Although the exact number of positions may vary, each section should retain roughly 10 staff writers at a time.

Staff writers are expected to contribute at minimum 2 articles per month, though writers may choose to contribute more than this. Writers may choose their deadlines at the beginning of each month. While extensions for articles are allowed, repeated failure to turn in articles on time will result in sanctions and possibly termination. In the latter case, the student would return to their designation as a contributor and may not reapply to be a staff writer.

In addition, staff writers are expected to attend weekly section meetings (usually held on Sunday afternoons in The Hullabaloo’s office). Missing more than one section meeting without informing section editors in advance will result in sanctions and possibly termination.

One may remain a staff writer as long as one continues to meet the minimum contribution and participation requirements. The only exceptions are students who study abroad, who may retain their title while they are away and when they return.