By THE DAILY UNIVERSE STAFF
The Cub Desk gives BYU students who are not communication majors the opportunity to write stories for The Daily Universe.
Creating an outlet for non-communication majors to write for the paper has been an idea directors of The Daily Universe have debated for about a year. During a Daily Universe question and answer session in March, students from various majors expressed they would like to write for the paper. In response, the Cub Desk was created.
'The Cub Desk provides an opportunity for students in other areas of campus to write about what's happening in their colleges,' said Robb Hicken, managing director of print.
Each semester, seven students will be chosen to write for the paper. Students will come up with their own story ideas.
Amelia Nielson-Stowell, editor-in-chief, said under the Cub Desk, student writers across campus have the chance to publish their work.
'There are good writers in all majors,' Nielson-Stowell said. 'This new desk gives all students a chance to let their voice be heard.'
Although students can voice their opinion through letters to the editor and viewpoints on the weekly opinion page, Nielson-Stowell said the desk will improve story content.
'News is happening in every college, but we don't hear about all of it,' she said. 'A variety of students in a variety of majors will help alleviate that problem.'
Three students were chosen to write for the Cub Desk during summer term, when the desk was first introduced.
'A lot of students look at the paper and call it the 'Unifarce' and think journalism is a breeze,' said Universal Editor Carrie Sheffield. 'This gives students a chance to walk the walk instead of talk the talk.'
Sheffield will be managing the Cub Desk writers.
'I'm excited to get to know the students who will work on the staff,' she said. 'We have a wealth of excellent writers at BYU and I'm excited to tap into that talent pool.'
Students who would like to participate can contact Sheffield at NewsNet on the fifth floor of the Wilkinson Student Center or by calling 422-2957. Students must fill out an application, submit writing samples and take a grammar and writing test.