A Word from the Chief
Maricor Coquia, Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Perspectives
1. On Being Informed
As editor of our student publication, I feel obliged to admit that even I often don't read a newspaper everyday, nor do I find frequent incentive while online to take ten minutes to read up on current events. Not even in the morning, when I have 30 minutes to spare while getting ready, do I find the energy to press the "on" button to hear the morning news. It's not because I'd rather not keep up with current events, but rather, like many other Regis community members, I share the frustration of juggling courses, responsibilities, work, exercise, calling my parents, let alone, leaving a little room for play and rest.
At 20 years old, it's not that I don't want to be more informed, or to read the newspaper more. I'm realizing it's partly because I never really developed the habit of substantial news reading, at home or in school. It's definitely easier to participate in the conversations I hear drifting through the halls of Loyola and Carroll about Heath Ledger and Rambo. And this seems true whether we are talking about Regis, or our country in general. Our common culture seems to have become Entertainment Tonight.
It is not my goal to urge you to stop watching Entertainment Tonight. Rather, my hope is to open a door of possibility, both for you and I, to see how we might make space and time to be more cognizant of the world around us, and more engaged in politics.
There are many different meanings associated with the term "politics," so I'll stick to a slightly modified definition as proposed by Merriam-Webster: the art or science or government, especially which concerns the influence of governmental policy.
Policies are what shape our lives. From the grading rubrics clearly outlined in our syllabi to not being able to drink until reaching 21 years; these policies structure, even define how we understand the world around us. But as restricting as they seem, it is actually the opposite. These policies, although not perfect, are, in a general sense, custom built, to what our society values (be it here enclosed at Regis, or collectively as the U.S.)
Indeed, there is no rule for us to watch CNN or NBC every night. Nor is there a rule for us to read The Washington Post or New York Times every day. So why should we care, right?
The point is we should.
I was somewhat misleading in admitting to not regularly follow what's going on in the world. True, I don't. But, rather than be apathetic and dismiss what I could know--I'd rather know. I need and want to know: which candidate is most inline with my values--rather than voting on a whim. I want to know of changes in the economy, and how that affects my parents, my tuition, and those living on the margins. I need to know the status of the war, and of the voices of those affected. And, while I'm at it, I'll still find out what's up with the weather. What's up back home in Hawaii.
But I won't know if I don't at least look.
As young, learned adults, I'm surprised we haven't realized the very place and potential power we have in our society. Policy, be it national, local, or educational, is made possible by our citizenship, our ability as individuals to coexist, improve, inform, form, and reform our lives as American citizens. And politics--the art or science of government, by which we make decisions and enact our shared values--is deeply rooted in that process.
It is my hope that with the Democratic National Convention coming to Denver this August, we as students become invigorated with the same excitement of knowing a possible president will be in our midst as we do hearing celebrity gossip.
But it is my further hope, that you trust the Highlander as the place you can turn to get up to speed to deepen your knowledge, to make connections, to encounter multiple perspectives, and to share yours, on campus, local, national, and global issues that affect us all.
2. On Opinions submissions
It is always my pleasure to welcome submissions and letters to the editor. Over the past several years, I have witnessed the Highlander evolve into a trustworthy publication--one of which faculty and students have come to depend on every week, be it for a brief update on campus news, sports, or a new Sudoku puzzle. But not only that--since my days as a staff writer in 2005, up to now as editor-in-chief, the Highlander has undoubtedly become a vehicle of civic journalism.
Recently, it has come to my attention that some members within our Regis community feel our publication has been biased, especially in choosing not to publish student submissions. Although I admit our paper is not perfect, and while constructive criticism is always welcome, I was disappointed at the allegations made against our paper.
Although understandable, I am not aware of any articles being submitted and rejected, except one which was submitted anonymously. First, in line with our dedication to the standards of traditional journalism, the Highlander does not accept anonymous submissions. Furthermore, this particular article was spiteful, grossly inaccurate, and unfair.
It was also brought to my attention that some feel articles not placed in the paper, but online, are not read. This allegation also concerned me. Rarely does an article not make it to print. Furthermore, articles online that were not in print (due to space limitations) are supplemental. But most disconcerting is that our online edition is in fact heavily visited by alumni, parents, and neighbors of our community.
In the future, I look forward to publishing submissions that promote a healthy community and exchange of perspectives. It is my commitment as editor that the Highlander be a conduit for empathy and engagment for the Regis community.
-maricor
As editor of our student publication, I feel obliged to admit that even I often don't read a newspaper everyday, nor do I find frequent incentive while online to take ten minutes to read up on current events. Not even in the morning, when I have 30 minutes to spare while getting ready, do I find the energy to press the "on" button to hear the morning news. It's not because I'd rather not keep up with current events, but rather, like many other Regis community members, I share the frustration of juggling courses, responsibilities, work, exercise, calling my parents, let alone, leaving a little room for play and rest.
At 20 years old, it's not that I don't want to be more informed, or to read the newspaper more. I'm realizing it's partly because I never really developed the habit of substantial news reading, at home or in school. It's definitely easier to participate in the conversations I hear drifting through the halls of Loyola and Carroll about Heath Ledger and Rambo. And this seems true whether we are talking about Regis, or our country in general. Our common culture seems to have become Entertainment Tonight.
It is not my goal to urge you to stop watching Entertainment Tonight. Rather, my hope is to open a door of possibility, both for you and I, to see how we might make space and time to be more cognizant of the world around us, and more engaged in politics.
There are many different meanings associated with the term "politics," so I'll stick to a slightly modified definition as proposed by Merriam-Webster: the art or science or government, especially which concerns the influence of governmental policy.
Policies are what shape our lives. From the grading rubrics clearly outlined in our syllabi to not being able to drink until reaching 21 years; these policies structure, even define how we understand the world around us. But as restricting as they seem, it is actually the opposite. These policies, although not perfect, are, in a general sense, custom built, to what our society values (be it here enclosed at Regis, or collectively as the U.S.)
Indeed, there is no rule for us to watch CNN or NBC every night. Nor is there a rule for us to read The Washington Post or New York Times every day. So why should we care, right?
The point is we should.
I was somewhat misleading in admitting to not regularly follow what's going on in the world. True, I don't. But, rather than be apathetic and dismiss what I could know--I'd rather know. I need and want to know: which candidate is most inline with my values--rather than voting on a whim. I want to know of changes in the economy, and how that affects my parents, my tuition, and those living on the margins. I need to know the status of the war, and of the voices of those affected. And, while I'm at it, I'll still find out what's up with the weather. What's up back home in Hawaii.
But I won't know if I don't at least look.
As young, learned adults, I'm surprised we haven't realized the very place and potential power we have in our society. Policy, be it national, local, or educational, is made possible by our citizenship, our ability as individuals to coexist, improve, inform, form, and reform our lives as American citizens. And politics--the art or science of government, by which we make decisions and enact our shared values--is deeply rooted in that process.
It is my hope that with the Democratic National Convention coming to Denver this August, we as students become invigorated with the same excitement of knowing a possible president will be in our midst as we do hearing celebrity gossip.
But it is my further hope, that you trust the Highlander as the place you can turn to get up to speed to deepen your knowledge, to make connections, to encounter multiple perspectives, and to share yours, on campus, local, national, and global issues that affect us all.
2. On Opinions submissions
It is always my pleasure to welcome submissions and letters to the editor. Over the past several years, I have witnessed the Highlander evolve into a trustworthy publication--one of which faculty and students have come to depend on every week, be it for a brief update on campus news, sports, or a new Sudoku puzzle. But not only that--since my days as a staff writer in 2005, up to now as editor-in-chief, the Highlander has undoubtedly become a vehicle of civic journalism.
Recently, it has come to my attention that some members within our Regis community feel our publication has been biased, especially in choosing not to publish student submissions. Although I admit our paper is not perfect, and while constructive criticism is always welcome, I was disappointed at the allegations made against our paper.
Although understandable, I am not aware of any articles being submitted and rejected, except one which was submitted anonymously. First, in line with our dedication to the standards of traditional journalism, the Highlander does not accept anonymous submissions. Furthermore, this particular article was spiteful, grossly inaccurate, and unfair.
It was also brought to my attention that some feel articles not placed in the paper, but online, are not read. This allegation also concerned me. Rarely does an article not make it to print. Furthermore, articles online that were not in print (due to space limitations) are supplemental. But most disconcerting is that our online edition is in fact heavily visited by alumni, parents, and neighbors of our community.
In the future, I look forward to publishing submissions that promote a healthy community and exchange of perspectives. It is my commitment as editor that the Highlander be a conduit for empathy and engagment for the Regis community.
-maricor
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