To the Lafayette campus,

I can’t say that I’m not feeling pressure stepping into this prominent position. My predecessors (and their predecessors) have done great things to get this newspaper to where it is, and the standard to which I’m subjected is daunting. As such, I feel like I would be dishonoring not only the position, but also the Lafayette community and myself, if I did not do all I could to uphold The Lafayette’s duty to report facts.

By the same token, I feel obligated to continue to improve the publication and further propel it into the 21st century, whether that means rehauling our website, www.thelaf.com (in progress), tweaking the print edition’s design, or introducing podcasts, additional video content, and other multimedia to our online presence.

It is an adage in The Lafayette’s office that we are not here to make friends. That is not changing; it is still our perspective when it comes to doing our jobs. Our primary focus is to report accurately and honestly. If that makes some individuals upset, then it is an unfortunate but necessary casualty.

However, I would like to make it clear that just because we aren’t here to make friends, doesn’t mean that we are here to make enemies. We aren’t out to antagonize any group on campus. On the contrary, we believe every group and individual should have a voice in our publication. We are working to ensure that we represent all perspectives whenever we step into the newsroom.

Now, please don’t take this as an invitation to consider us as free P.R. But we are both eager and interested to hear your opinion on any and all topics that we might cover over the upcoming school year.

With that open invitation, I step into this office with slight trepidation but also overwhelming hope. I look forward to leading The Lafayette in bringing you the most comprehensive news on campus.

Have a great year. I hope we both do.

Excelsior,

Michael A. Kowaleski
Editor-in-Chief, The Lafayette