The East Tennessean, the student newspaper of ETSU, earned a mark of distinction in coverage and content by the Associated Collegiate Press for fall 2000.
Martha Milner, adviser of the East Tennessean, submits five consecutive issues of the newspaper to the Associated Collegiate Press.
An ACP judge, using a standard set of guidelines, offers a neutral, off-campus evaluation based on a point system. Most ACP judges are active or retired journalism advisers or other professionals with an interest in the student press.
The ACP critiques the newspaper in five areas – content and coverage, writing and editing, photography, art and graphics, layout and design, and leadership. After the total points in the individual category, which includes several subcategories, are totaled, the judge assigns a score and, if deserved, a mark of distinction.
The fall 2000 award is the first mark of distinction the paper has earned during the last four years. However, the East Tennessean has been assigned a ranking of “first class” during the past four years.
The ACP judge also offers assessment of specific problems, commendations and recommendations in the subcategories. These evaluations are important to the professional growth of the paper and each staff member.
“The most valuable aspect of the critique for the East Tennessean is that when we send the newspapers off in the fall semester, we get the critiques back early in the spring, and we can use the information to improve the paper for the rest of the spring semester,” Milner said.
For more information about the East Tennessean, contact Milner at (423) 439-6170 or visit the office on the 3rd floor in the Culp center.

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