February 18, 2020
We are here to serve all students at UCCS. We pride ourselves on reporting the truth to the student body and shedding light on issues that we perceive to be important. Without student journalism, it would be difficult for students to be heard or be in-the-know.
The purpose of a student news organization will first and foremost always be to serve as the watchdog for the student body by uncovering the truth on issues that matter, without censorship. We are seeking the truth and reporting it. Student media organizations are also platforms for community discussion and a way for students interested in journalism to learn how to report in a hands-on setting.
That being said, there are more effective ways to communicate with staff than leaving passive-aggressive, anonymous notes that are uninformed about the purpose of student media and the purpose of the editorial section of the paper. We cannot effectively meet the needs and concerns of the student body without proper communication.
Firstly, I think it is important that all students understand the purpose of the editorial section of the paper. Noun: editorial: a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor(s) that gives an opinion on a topical issue. The editorial is not an article in which we interview sources. It is an opinion or observation, not a news story. Therefore, the approaches or ethics on reporting that may apply to a news story, do not all apply to the editorial.
The editorial is not a news article that reports on an issue in an unbiased approach without editorializing, rather it is an opinion of an editor or editors on staff that hold the same stance on an issue that is prevalent either to the university or globally. Rather, it is encouraged that in the editorial or an opinion article that the journalist delivers their stance on an issue, even if others may not agree. How to contact your student media organization.
Email us at [email protected]
By emailing the publication’s Editor-in-Chief, you can reach the entire editorial board with concerns/comments/questions. If you find an editorial or article troubling, you disagree, you have concerns, or you would just like to comment on the writing, emailing the editorial staff is a great way to get a quick response.
If you email us with concerns, we will respond with clarification; however, sometimes the editorial board’s stance on an issue may differ from your own. Emailing the editorial board does not mean that the article will be removed or will not be published, but it can help students gain more information or clarity.
Physically stop by The Scribe office (UC 106)
If you have concerns/comments/ or questions for the editorial board, you can also stop by the office during normal hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. M-F) and there will most likely be an editor available for you to talk to. However, keep in mind, Scribe staff members are also students and have busy lives, so emailing [email protected] to check when a good time to stop by the office is also advised. The entire editorial board is in office on Fridays, so this is an ideal time to stop by and ask questions.
Coming to the offi ce is also beneficial, because this allows interaction and face-to-face discussion to occur that might not have through email or leaving notes on the door. We cannot answer questions or understand concerns without context. This also shows respect for both parties communicating, so that the editors can have a mature discussion with the student(s) who come to the office.
Write a Letter-to-the-Editor
If you would rather have open-rhetoric with The Scribe that is published in the editorial section of the paper, then you can also email [email protected] with a letter-to-the-editor. We publish these submissions without editing for content (only spelling, grammar, and structure). These submissions must be a maximum of 400 words, and sent to [email protected] no later than 2 p.m. on Friday afternoons, as we send the paper to print on Friday evenings and must meet a deadline.
These letters can address an issue that you feel passionately about, respond to an article, and/or discuss an important event or topic on campus or off. The Scribe wants to have student voices be heard in the publication, so this is an ideal way for a student to voice their concerns or inform the student body. The only requirements we have on the letter-to-the-editor is that it must come from a student or a faculty or staff member.
We are here to serve all students at UCCS. We pride ourselves on reporting the truth to the student body and shedding light on issues that we perceive to be important. Without student journalism, it would be difficult for students to be heard or be in-the-know.
Therefore, if we report on a topic, we feel that it is important. If you have concerns, we want to know what they are instead of deciphering cryptic messages left on our office door.