2008 Woodie Awards
letter to the editor: The Circle lacks in depth reporting of Marist campus issues
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
I was extremely impressed with The Circle's treatment of last week's front pages stories. The paper's coverage of "pre-class prayers," as well as the state of Marist's fraternities and sororities represents a higher level of journalism, unseen in previous editions. It's still, however, simply not enough.
Like many, I've been reading The Circle since I was a freshman, and eagerly await its release every Thursday down by the mail room. Every week, I'm driven to near-disappointment with a lack of seriousness of the paper's content. A quick comparison of Circle issues of yesteryear reveals a campus newspaper committed with bringing the Marist Community insightful and enlightening articles on pressing student issues. Academics, student life, athletics, Student Government and other areas of concern were covered with rigor and depth.
Today, we are subject to pieces that reduce week-old national news stories to a paragraph, bloviate on and on about the Iraq War, and rely on sources like the ever-accurate Wikipedia about Thanksgiving football traditions. It is difficult to sit here and suggest these stories aren't necessary - they are. The Circle allows students of journalism to hone their skills on the issues near and dear to them...
But what about the issues near and dear to Marist? The Circle is the "student newspaper of Marist College." Let's report on things about Marist College. In this sense, I believe The Circle has strayed from its charge. We owe it to ourselves, as a Student Body, to have a press that sinks its teeth into issues that affect the trajectory of this institution. Furthermore, The Circle owes it to us. I could easily compile a list of unresolved, and upcoming issues of contention that will determine the way Marist operates and is perceived in the coming years. Anyone of us can, if they think hard enough. Trust me - the stories are out there.
The two stories covered in last week's issue represent a divergence from this norm. They are not superficial, rather, they explore what can be done better. This is the primary function of The Circle. It should raise the level of discourse on campus, about campus issues. It should facilitate debate, and report ideas about where Marist is heading. Its a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
Yours sincerely,
Michael A. Sterchak '07
I was extremely impressed with The Circle's treatment of last week's front pages stories. The paper's coverage of "pre-class prayers," as well as the state of Marist's fraternities and sororities represents a higher level of journalism, unseen in previous editions. It's still, however, simply not enough.
Like many, I've been reading The Circle since I was a freshman, and eagerly await its release every Thursday down by the mail room. Every week, I'm driven to near-disappointment with a lack of seriousness of the paper's content. A quick comparison of Circle issues of yesteryear reveals a campus newspaper committed with bringing the Marist Community insightful and enlightening articles on pressing student issues. Academics, student life, athletics, Student Government and other areas of concern were covered with rigor and depth.
Today, we are subject to pieces that reduce week-old national news stories to a paragraph, bloviate on and on about the Iraq War, and rely on sources like the ever-accurate Wikipedia about Thanksgiving football traditions. It is difficult to sit here and suggest these stories aren't necessary - they are. The Circle allows students of journalism to hone their skills on the issues near and dear to them...
But what about the issues near and dear to Marist? The Circle is the "student newspaper of Marist College." Let's report on things about Marist College. In this sense, I believe The Circle has strayed from its charge. We owe it to ourselves, as a Student Body, to have a press that sinks its teeth into issues that affect the trajectory of this institution. Furthermore, The Circle owes it to us. I could easily compile a list of unresolved, and upcoming issues of contention that will determine the way Marist operates and is perceived in the coming years. Anyone of us can, if they think hard enough. Trust me - the stories are out there.
The two stories covered in last week's issue represent a divergence from this norm. They are not superficial, rather, they explore what can be done better. This is the primary function of The Circle. It should raise the level of discourse on campus, about campus issues. It should facilitate debate, and report ideas about where Marist is heading. Its a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
Yours sincerely,
Michael A. Sterchak '07
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