Whitetopper Rant
I work for the campus newspaper. I began the first week I was on campus. Every week I have been on time with my story. I have never caused any problems. I have been the obedient staff writer.
However, this edition has made me angry! I got the story of Pledge Week-currently the biggest event on campus. After asking for guidance from my editor, I was told to give both views on pledging: pro and con. I did a ton of interviews and sent even more e-mails-I worked the hardest on this story. Not only did I interview people in the administration I interviewed alumni, the alumni director, historian, and a lot of the current Greek presidents, and a student who is very anti-pledging. I was prepared and I had more than enough information for my story.
I submitted my story to my editor and it was printed this evening. When I read my story in The Whitetopper everything negative that was said about Greek life was excluded. Somehow my editor, a member of a sorority on campus, couldn't find room for the information. This makes my story seem very biased toward Greek life. I was already feeling guilty about all the positive things I put in my story about Greek life after I saw the way that some organizations treat their pledges (mainly ones that have abused my friends this week), but when the story was printed it was all about the good things that Greeks have to offer. Now, in the printed edition it makes Greek life sound like a cake walk and something that everyone should do.
My next rant came right after the newspapers were delivered when just 5 minutes ago I checked my e-mail to find my assignment for this week's story. Every other week I've been a staff writer we have received our assignments on Sunday night or first thing Monday morning. I'm no expert (well when it comes to calenders and planning I may just as well be), but it's nearly THURSDAY! I suppose that once again because it's pledge week and my editor is a member of a sorority my assignment is late. So I'm supposed to pull a story (on student's loosing scholarships nonetheless big stuff) out of my butt my Friday afternoon. I refuse to drop my plans and my life for the total lack of responsibility and disrespect of someone else.
LeRae Edwards
The Whitetopper
Staff Writer
However, this edition has made me angry! I got the story of Pledge Week-currently the biggest event on campus. After asking for guidance from my editor, I was told to give both views on pledging: pro and con. I did a ton of interviews and sent even more e-mails-I worked the hardest on this story. Not only did I interview people in the administration I interviewed alumni, the alumni director, historian, and a lot of the current Greek presidents, and a student who is very anti-pledging. I was prepared and I had more than enough information for my story.
I submitted my story to my editor and it was printed this evening. When I read my story in The Whitetopper everything negative that was said about Greek life was excluded. Somehow my editor, a member of a sorority on campus, couldn't find room for the information. This makes my story seem very biased toward Greek life. I was already feeling guilty about all the positive things I put in my story about Greek life after I saw the way that some organizations treat their pledges (mainly ones that have abused my friends this week), but when the story was printed it was all about the good things that Greeks have to offer. Now, in the printed edition it makes Greek life sound like a cake walk and something that everyone should do.
My next rant came right after the newspapers were delivered when just 5 minutes ago I checked my e-mail to find my assignment for this week's story. Every other week I've been a staff writer we have received our assignments on Sunday night or first thing Monday morning. I'm no expert (well when it comes to calenders and planning I may just as well be), but it's nearly THURSDAY! I suppose that once again because it's pledge week and my editor is a member of a sorority my assignment is late. So I'm supposed to pull a story (on student's loosing scholarships nonetheless big stuff) out of my butt my Friday afternoon. I refuse to drop my plans and my life for the total lack of responsibility and disrespect of someone else.
LeRae Edwards
The Whitetopper
Staff Writer