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Joining the Class

To join the class and have the opportunity to take on a role of your choosing, all you need to do is meet the following requirements:

  • Be a current undergraduate student at UC Merced
  • Have completed WRI 010 with a C- or better
  • And take WRI 131A as a corequisite or prerequisite

Once these requirements have been met, students can join The Vernal Pool by registering for WRI 131B. Students are free to repeat WRI 131B as many times as they’d like. See the course descriptions on the UC Merced Catalog below for more details.

WRI 131A: Journal Production: Technical Writing and Editing

Theoretical and practical approaches to journal editing in academic, creative, and professional genres. Engaging a range of stylistic, content, layout, and ethical concerns for digital and print journals, students address the demands of reviewing and editing various stages of manuscript preparation, from content to copyediting (link).

WRI 131B: Journal Production: Vernal Pool

Practical approaches to editing the Vernal Pool, UC Merced’s undergraduate literary journal. Students coordinate the journal’s editorial flow and manage the stages of submission. Students engage author inquiries and editorial board suggestions for sustainably producing the journal, engaging a range of content, layout, and ethical concerns for publication (link).

Below are the various positions involved in producing The Vernal Pool.

Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief is in charge of overseeing the journal and board members as a whole. The Editor-in-Chief also handles the general business of the journal, including funding, outreach, and facilitating meetings each week.

Managing Editors

This position is often assigned to two people who each have the job of leading categorical teams within The Vernal Pool and assisting the Editor-in-Chief with management tasks. There is a Managing Editor of Communications and a Managing Editor of Editorial Flow, also called the Lead Copyeditor, depending on the size of the team.

Editors

Many people will take on the position of Editor. Editors are tasked with copy-editing all content that is published under the name of The Vernal Pool Journal (social media posts, emails, et cetera) as well as conducting author meetings.

Web Manager

The Web Manager is tasked with designing and maintaining the pages of The Vernal Pool website. On the more technical side of the role, the Web Manager is responsible for maintaining the site’s health and troubleshooting any errors that may arise.

Graphic Designer

The Graphic Designer’s job is to create graphic designs for any flyers or social media posts under The Vernal Pool. They also work alongside the Social Media Manager. 

Social Media Manager

The Social Media Manager is in charge of all social media (including Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, et cetera) posts about upcoming events and content related to the journal. This role also works alongside the Graphic Designer.

Podcast Director

The Podcast Director is in charge of seeking out and interviewing guests for The Reflection Pool. Though they will generally focus on interviewing published authors, the Podcast Director has creative freedom in regard to the direction of the podcast.