Right now, you probably just opened the first issue of a redesigned Collegiate Times, or you're on our Web site.
Once again, we're back on the grind, and with the first few days and weeks of classes comes a lot of pressure, things to do and new people to meet. With new people comes more names to remember, and with that comes even more names to forget. Well, one name that I'd like for you to not forget is mine. My name is Justin Graves, and I am the CT public editor.
What does the public editor do exactly? The way I look at it, I'm supposed to help keep everyone happy. Whether it is the reader, the student who doesn't even read our paper, our staff, our advisers, the community, the faculty or anyone else - basically if you have a problem with our paper, I'm going to be the moderator and help everyone meet somewhere in the middle.
The most dreaded part of being public editor is the fact that I'm also responsible for corrections. No, your student newspaper is not perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes and we have to own up to them. I'm responsible for making sure that those corrections run as soon as possible so we can get our readers the most accurate information.
The CT runs Tuesday through Friday (with the exception of this first issue). Our paper is put together by a group of roughly 35 extremely dedicated people. Reporters, editors and advisers all come together with the purpose of making this year's paper the absolute best, and not just another college newspaper.
Our editor-in-chief, Sara Mitchell, is the head of all the craziness that you'll find if you ever come up to 365 Squires. We all follow her lead on a daily basis, spending endless hours in the newsroom with our colleagues. Peter Velz, who you probably received an e-mail from forwarded through your department Listserv, is the managing editor of editorial - he's generally responsible for the written content of the CT.
Bethany Buchanan, the managing editor of design, will talk your ear off about the "glorious" paper that was introduced today, as the redesign project is her pride and joy. She treats it like it's her baby. It's a beautiful thing, and it's even more beautiful in print.
Then, we've got our sports editors, Joe Crandley and Alex Jackson. The features editors are Topher Forhecz and Teresa Tobat, the opinions editor is Debra Houchins, our multimedia editor Kevin Anderson, and the news editors for New River Valley news and University news are Zach Crizer and Philipp Kotlaba, respectfully. In addition to that, we have several reporters who make up our staff and complete the family.
The general purpose of this column is to give updates on our work as we develop the paper. Whether there is a big issue on something we published, or I just want you guys to know something, this column should be something that our readers look forward to and view as informative.
Over the summer, a big purpose of the column is something that I will reiterate now - we want you! The CT always welcomes prospective writers, and maybe someday you can become an editor. But you can't get there without coming by 365 Squires. For those of you who are extremely busy, you can join our "Collegiate Times Interest Group" on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Even if you don't have any questions, we want people to come by the newsroom. We want a transparent process this year, and that starts with you, the reader, showing the interest and caring about what we do in the process of bringing the student body the best quality newspaper there is in Blacksburg.
Otherwise, I hope you guys read this column to learn about our newspaper, our staff and to stay informed. The CT, I believe, should be a cross section of the student body, staff, faculty and community, and I believe that all of those voices should be reflected in the paper. As public editor, I will work my hardest to ensure that happens and keep conflict to a minimum.
Hopefully I'll be seeing you in the newsroom when you come visit, and if you see me on campus - I'm hard to miss - make sure to let me know what you thought about today's issue of the paper, what you'd like to see, and what you wouldn't like to see.
Any questions? E-mail me at publiceditor@collegiatetimes.com.