Skiff should impact community
By Jonathan Sampson
Managing Editor

I’ve been working on this column for three days, and I still have nothing.
Every time I sit down to write, it happens.

“Jonathan, come show me how to use NewsEditPro.”

“Jonathan, how do you crop this picture?”

“Jonathan, what is a news article?”

“Jonathan, I quit!”

I think I’m going to change my name and not tell anyone.

That way, when they call for Jonathan, I can just keep writing. No more interruptions or diversions. Ever.

But the truth is, even through all the distractions, I’m loving every minute of it.

Even though it’s tiring, even though we’ve been working 10 or 12-hour days, even though I still haven’t had a chance to buy some Christmas presents (yes, Christmas presents), it’s worth it.

No one here does it for the money, trust me.

I’m doing this because I care about the people and care about the paper. I’m doing this because I want to be a part of something that impacts people. I’m doing this because I learn more about myself and others every time I step into the newsroom.

Every semester the editors write columns about the paper and our expectations, but every year things happen and expectations change. Sometimes those promises aren’t kept.

I honestly don’t know what this semester will hold, but I know I speak for the rest of the staff when I say we want this paper to be something that impacts you.

There’s an excitement in the newsroom I haven’t seen before. With our new editors, new reporters, new design and new technology (one of the most technologically advanced newsrooms you’d find anywhere), we’re ready to move forward and try something different.

We want to provide you with relevant, accurate, complete news when you need it most.

We want to present news to you in the easiest, most consistent way possible. Our new design done by former Skiff staffer Matt Welnack gives us a cleaner and easier to read appearance.

In working toward a paper that is accurate and relevant, mistakes will come, but we will correct them quickly and in the best way possible. We want you to be able to trust what you read here. For many, that’s going to be a huge jump, but it’s time to build that credibility.

As we communicate with you through the paper, communicate with us. Let us know what you think. Every reporter’s e-mail address is at the bottom of the articles they write. As writers, you’d be amazed how little feedback we actually get from the campus. We’d love to hear from you. We can also be reached at the TCU Daily Skiff office at extension 7428.

From the way we design the paper to the way we work with and support our reporters, we’re trying something new.

I invite you to do the same.

Let us start with a clean slate and build up a new trust through accurate, concise reporting and good editorial decisions. We’re going to work hard for you, and it’s going to be a busy time for us.

But through the late nights and constant interruptions, something else emerges: a group that enjoys being together.

I hope this semester brings our staff a chance to learn, grow and have fun. I hope we can get back to the basics of journalism and report based on the needs of our audience, not the thoughts and opinions of the news staff. And most importantly, I hope I can get my name change processed by next week.

Just between you and me, I think I’ll choose Mark.

Managing Editor Jonathan Sampson is a junior news-editorial and
sociology major from Commerce.
He can be reached at (j.m.sampson@student.tcu.edu).

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