V. The Editorial Office of Social Problems
The Editor(s) of Social Problems is recommended by the Editorial and Publications Committee and appointed by the Board of Directors for a three-year term. With the recommendation of the Editorial and Publications Committee and the approval of the Board of Directors, the Editor(s) may be reappointed for an additional term not to exceed three years. The Editor(s) is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and the Editorial and Publications Committee. The Editorial Office of the journal moves to the location of the Editor(s) and many decisions concerning the journal are turned over to the Editor(s) at least six months prior to the expiration of the term of his, her, or their predecessor. The Editor(s), Executive Officer, and the publisher of the journal control the various aspects of the operation of the journal under the supervision of the Editorial and Publications Committee and the Board of Directors.
In order to protect the integrity of the Society, members of a committee, or the Board of Directors, must disclose any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest to the other members of the committee in any process involving the awarding of funds or anything else of value to an individual or group. The Committee Chair will then discuss the conflict or the appearance of the conflict with the Executive Officer, to determine the appropriate next step, which may be to require said member to withdraw from the process entirely or some portion of the process. Click here to access the policy.
Contractual Relationships with the Host Institution for the Journal
The host institution (employer of the Editor(s)) may be asked to provide office space, utilities, the use of computers and other office equipment, tuition waivers for office personnel (if appropriate), and faculty release time. Each year the Editor(s) will submit a budget to the Society to cover operating expenses that the host institution does not support. Salary support other than that provided in the contract between the Society and the host institution is provided by the host institution. The Editor(s) working through the host institution bills the Society for costs of operating the Editorial Office not to exceed the amount specified in the budget. The Society prefers to be billed monthly, but quarterly bills are acceptable. All employees of the Editorial Office shall be considered employees of the host institution and not employees of the Society. Fringe benefits for employees should be handled as specified in the annual budget submitted by the Editor(s).
The contractual relationship with the host institution is reviewed and renewed annually. The first contract covers a six-month period. The second and third contract covers a full calendar year. The fourth contract usually covers a six to nine-month period, including the Editor’s term and wrap up time.
Statement of Work
1. The Editor(s) and staff agree to produce original, to the best of their ability, of suitable quality, and consistent with editorial best practices such as those set out by COPE copy for the twelve issues of the journal, Social Problems. These issues cover three volume years. The Editor(s) and staff deal directly with the appropriate personnel at the publisher when ensuring the issues appear in a timely fashion.
2. The Editor(s) will prepare an annual report on the operation of the journal to the Board of Directors, the Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee, the Editorial and Publications Committee, and the attendees of the Annual Business Meeting. This report will include the number of manuscripts received and the disposition of the various manuscripts. Indication of the quality of the articles, an evaluation of challenges faced and suggested improvements or changes needed to continue to move the journal forward, as well as any other matters that the Editor(s) deems appropriate, should be included in the report.
3. The Editor(s) will nominate members to serve as Advisory Editors of the journal giving attention to issues of diversity in ethnic background, sexual orientation, and physical disabilities. The Editor(s) will ensure that all Advisory Editors are current members. As soon as the incoming Editor(s) assemble their Advisory Boards, and the Board of Directors approves them, the list of the Advisory Boards will be updated on the Social Problems website.
4. The Editor(s) will submit an annual budget to the Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee in April of the year preceding the year in which the budget is to take effect. This budget will be reviewed by that committee, revised, if necessary, with the advice and consent of the Editor(s) and forwarded to the Board of Directors for final approval. Approval of the budget by the Board of Directors will constitute approval of extension of the terms of the contract for another budget year.
5. The Editorial Office will provide appropriate documentation of expenditures as required by the auditors of the Society’s books.
6. The Editor(s) must become familiar with the terms of the contract with the publisher and be prepared to recommend any appropriate changes in that contract when it is renegotiated and/or rebid.
7. The stipend/honorarium checks are processed and the letters of appreciation are sent to the Social Problems Editors (in June) and the Social Media Committee (as directed by the Editors). The Editors and Social Media Committee are responsible for paying all taxes associated with the stipend/honorarium checks, if applicable.
8. In order for the Editors, Managing Editor, or Editorial Assistant to be reimbursed for lodging at the SSSP Annual Meeting, they must stay at the SSSP conference hotel.
Budget Narrative
The budget narrative provided each year should cover the cost of operating the Editorial Office. It reflects the provision of monies to carry out the duties mentioned above, during the budget period described. Permanent equipment expenditures to be retained by the Society must be reviewed and approved by the Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
