The Aumnibus, Auburn Montgomery’s student newspaper, is seeking reporters and staff for the 2008-09 school year. If you are interested, contact Jeff Melton at jmelton@aum.edu for more information.

Published weekly, the Aumnibus gives students a voice on issues important to them and to the campus. It also provides students interested in pursuing a career in journalism or related fields an opportunity to hone their skills. Because AUM draws students from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, the paper aims to provide coverage on a highly diverse set of topics.

Meet the new Aumnibus editor

AUM names Kneidinger Aumnibus editor in chief

Christine Kneidinger, a senior journalism major from Montgomery, was recently named the 2008-09 editor for the Aumnibus, AUM's student-run newspaper. Kneidinger's first order of business? She's actively recruiting reporters for her staff.

"We’re starting from scratch," said Kneidinger. "A lot of people have graduated. Ideally we’d like to have 20 people on the staff."

Along with a new editor and staff this year, the Aumnibus will also acquire a new look and function -- it will be paperless.

"It will be weekly, online and everything will be archived," said Kneidinger. "It will be a lot like the Plainsman [Auburn University's student newspaper]. I really like how they run things. I’m trying to get in touch with them now and get some advice from an experienced online paper."

Kneidinger said she plans to do a lot of recruiting during the first week of school and during Welcome Week.

"We’ll be participating in the involvement fair, and for Welcome Week we’re doing a table every day with a sign-up sheet," she said.

Aumnibus adviser Jeff Melton said he's confident Kneidinger will make the Aumnibus a formidable voice for AUM students.

"In addition to having the necessary coursework in journalism, Christine has excellent communication and leadership skills," said Melton. "Throughout the interview process, she was sharp, thoughtful and thoroughly professional. She is ambitious and will do a first-rate job as editor in chief."

"I have high expectations for this paper," said Kneidinger. "I think the clean slate and mandatory online thing is almost a blessing. We can start over and attract some new students and really get the ball rolling."

Kneidinger's high expectations for the Aumnibus bleed over to her staff expectations. She is looking for quality writers, marketing students and others who have a genuine interest in the paper.

"I have a base staff of three people right now, good people, that I think will do a really good job," she said.

Kneidinger's main reason for seeking marketing students as well as the usual journalism majors is that she feels the staff will be walking blindly into the world of online ad pricing. She feels this will be a good opportunity for marketing students to put what they've learned in the classroom to use immediately in the community.

Kneidinger expects the first issue to be complete during the first few weeks of school.

"I really want it the first week of school, maybe that’s unrealistic,” she said. “But if not the first week, I really want it by the second week, once we have more people on board."

According to Kneidinger, students can expect stories this semester on the new softball field, a possible renovation of Taylor Center and a few other surprises.

"I really want to do stuff about the softball field," said Kneidinger. "I have several things up my sleeve I think would be fun to investigate."

Kneidinger came to AUM her freshman year, though it wasn't her idea. "It’s a rule in my family that you have to go here the first year," said Kneidinger. "I have two older sisters and they had to do it too."

During her first few semesters she said she continued to warn her friends that she would be transferring soon, but that day never came.

"I got involved with my sorority and I couldn’t leave," said Kneidinger. "I like AUM because the classes are a lot smaller. If you’re having trouble or you need to talk to your professor, it’s instant access.

"I’ve really enjoyed it – I wouldn’t have had it any other way."