The Record Editorial Policy
Below is the full editorial policy of The Record. We hope that this clearer and easier to find policy will aid our readers in understanding the mission of the newspaper and its guiding principles, in addition to outlining an unambiguous procedure for letters to the editor. An abbreviated version of this policy runs in the masthead in this issue and will run there in all future issues.
The Record, the weekly student newspaper of Horace Mann School, has been established as a public forum which provides information and entertainment in addition to various viewpoints in the forms of editorials and columns.
The staff editorial represents the opinion of the majority of the senior editorial board. Opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of The Record or the senior editorial board.
As a student publication, its contents are the views and work of the students and do not necessarily represent those of the faculty or administration of the Horace Mann School. The Horace Mann School is not responsible for the accuracy and contents of The Record, and is not liable for any claims based on the contents or views expressed therein.
The staff of The Record will strive to be responsible, fair, honest, accurate, independent and accountable, and minimize harm.
The Record welcomes letters from its readers as part of its commitment to an open forum. Letters can be submitted by mail (Letters to the Editor, The Record, Horace Mann School, 231 West 246th Street, Bronx, NY, 10471), e-mail (record@horacemann.org), or by hand (to the Record mailbox in the DeansŐ Office). All decisions regarding libel, anonymity, length and clarity are subject to editorial discretion. All submissions must contain the authorŐs name to verify authenticity and should be brief and to the point.
The Record encourages letter writers to emphasize constructive points and avoid personal attacks. All content of the paper, letters notwithstanding, must be supported by facts.
All letters will be printed on a first-come, first-serve basis, space permitting. Rights are reserved to postpone, edit or withhold from publication anything submitted which does not meet the specifications. The meaning of any submission will not be altered, but we reserve the right to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation when necessary. To be considered for publication in the next issue, letters should be submitted by 6:00 on Wednesday evening.
In the case of the death or deaths of current or recently graduated students or current staff, The Record will cover the death with at least an obituary. The obituary will be journalistically written with an emphasis on the personŐs life and, if timely, give details of the funeral service and/or contribution details.
All editorial decisions regarding content, grammar and layout are made by the senior editorial board. All queries, complaints or corrections should be directed to the Editor in Chief. Please address these comments by email to record@horacemann.org.
The Record is regularly critiqued by national scholastic journalism organizations, participates in workshops on writing, editing, and leadership, and consults frequently with its faculty advisor to ensure that it meets the highest standards for reporting and ethics.