As classes come to a close this semester, a class of editors at The Michigan Daily is also nearing the end of its tenure.

The Daily's editors hold their positions for a calendar year. A new group of editors will assume leadership on Feb. 1.

Karl Stampfl, now the managing news editor, will take the position of editor in chief.

"We're willing to change," Stampfl said. "We want to have a reader-centric Michigan Daily."

Stampfl said he plans to improve several areas of the paper, specifically the website. The online version needs to have some Web-specific content. It should not just mirror the print edition, he said.

The previous editors' tenure brought some substantial changes to the paper. The paper launched a comprehensive redesign with a narrower page size. The Daily also added a weekly arts section, The B-side.

Managing Editor Jeffrey Bloomer said Stampfl will put more emphasis on the presentation of the paper's content than current Editor in Chief Donn M. Fresard did during his tenure.

Bloomer, a former managing arts editor, held the position of managing editor this semester and will hang on to the position for another year.

News reporter Andrew Grossman will replace Stampfl as managing news editor.

"I think he's really poised to continue some of the things we've been doing in the news section," Stampfl said.

Grossman said he plans to continue thoroughly covering the effect on the University of Proposal 2, which banned affirmative action programs in Michigan.

Imran Syed, an associate editorial page editor, will take over as editorial page editor from Emily Beam and Christopher Zbrozek. Syed said he wants to bring in more diverse voices from the student community. He also held the position over the summer.

Scott Bell will fill the managing sports editor position, currently held by Jack Herman. Bell, a senior sports editor and football writer, plans to maintain the changes Herman put in place. One area of focus will be placing articles on major sports on the website earlier.

Managing Arts Editor Andrew Sargus Klein will keep his position next year. The arts section will continue shifting its focus onto student musicians and artists, he said.

Angela Cesere and Peter Schottenfels will take over for Mike Hulsebus and Alex Dziadosz as managing photo editors.

Their goals include downsizing the staff and turning the department into a pre-professional venue for aspiring photographers, they said.

The Statement, currently edited by James Dowd, will come under the control of Anne VanderMey. VanderMey, currently a news editor, said she will give The Statement a more distinctive voice and add more bite-size features, as in the "Junk Drawer" page.

Bridget O'Donnell, the managing design editor, will keep her position for the coming year.