When we do a job, it is usually for a variety of reasons. We need money; we enjoy the work; or we are looking for experience in a particular field. Did you know that your student newspaper is put together by your peers? Did you know we make decisions based on what we think you would like to see or read about?

We receive many letters to the editor, most unsigned, but do take note of what people think we are lacking.. We are students, just like you, trying to get an education and experience in our field.

We want your criticism, and we want your feedback; that is what helps us to determine what will and will not be in the paper. So, to better see who our audience is and what you as students would like to see, we are conducting a readership survey that will provide us with feedback on what you would or would not like to see. The survey will also have questions on advertising and the yearbook as well.

We will conduct the survey in the student union in the next couple of weeks, so if you have the time, please stop by. Members of the staff may also be conducting the surveys within your classes. There are many trends that we see from other papers with whom we swap with, but trying new things can be trying and scary when you do not know how your audience will react. For instance, last semester we started a crossword puzzle but dropped it when even some of the faculty members were saying it was a bit too hard. This semester we have done the “He said, She said” articles, and most students approach the writers and tell them that they did a great job and that they enjoy reading that article.

We are looking for more of that feedback with this survey.

Other papers around the state and also out of state are producing sex columns, recipes and “how to” articles on various subjects. Is this something you would like to see? After all, the people we want to please most are you ,the students.

So, if you see the readership survey, please fill it out and be honest. Changes cannot be made without feedback. And, if you do not get the chance to fill one out, drop us a line, and let us know what you want to see or what you wish we would not print anymore.

We will listen.

Some of the things we have done based on student feedback were to reinstate the police reports, provide a calendar of events, national, state and local news and the weather bar you see on the front page. Do you like these things? Do you want to see them continued? Let us know.

We appreciate your readership and your support of your newspaper. Stay involved, and let us serve you.