EDITORIAL: Where We Stand

A look at the vision, goals andA look at the vision, goals andobjectives of the 111th Board ofA look at the vision, goals andobjectives of the 111th Board ofManagers and EditorsA look at the vision, goals andobjectives of the 111th Board ofManagers and Editors___________________________________ This time period has raised more questions than it has provided answers. The start of our tenure coincides with the University's much-improved image and quickly rising reputation. Applications are at an all-time high and our varsity athletes have vaulted our institution into the national spotlight. But within these Ivy walls, the issues of crime, on-campus living, a need for a more suitable student union and further concentration on undergraduate education still need to be addressed. As the new board, we pledge to accurately and fairly report the news to the best of our ability. We place great value in our integrity and the need for not only responsible journalism, but quality journalism. We will strive to be more comprehensive in our quest to provide a detailed picture of campus and community life. It is also our hope that our pages will remain an open forum. If the DP is truly to be a place for discussion and debate, we must rely on the voices of the community to actively initiate dialogue. We also hope our readers recognize and separate our views as a board from the opinions of our columnists. We defend their right to speak and do not censor them based on content. But we may not always share their viewpoints. As we encourage the community to actively respond to arguments presented in the DP, we also place a heavy emphasis on the DP's responsibility to the community. This year, we will continue our successful Saturday School program -- teaching West Philadelphia kids about journalism -- and begin our involvement with the administration's planned Communiversity Days. The idea behind these days is to show youths who have never been on campus what the Penn experience is all about. As student journalists, we are in the unique position of reporting on an institution close to our hearts. In the past, administrators and faculty alike have criticized those on the DP staff for hating the University. The truth is quite the opposite: we love the University and want it to live up to its potential. In journalism we are judged by our degree of perfection; we expect the same from the University. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that we are editorially and financially independent of the University, and we will continue to be free of any outside influences. We take great pride in our independence, but also place great importance on the responsibility which accompanies it. Finally, as a student organization, our mission is to provide a meaningful learning experience for our staff, emphasizing the phrase "learning by doing." Sometimes, we make mistakes, but we always learn from these errors. In the process, our staff learns the importance of responsibility, ethics and interpersonal communication. As we look at the task that lies ahead, we are excited to take on these challenges. We value the unique opportunity to lead this newspaper and will strive to surpass the lofty goals we have set for ourselves.

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