Page 4 - ThePhoenix1987-88

Page 4JWestern Maryland College/September 24, 1987 Editorial One tough act to follow As this new academic year begins, a summer of dormancy for The Phoenix will end. Although The Phoenix issues which will arrive this year will seem different than before, the paper will be missing something much more abstract, . Last year's Phoenix was the pride and joy of one the brightest and most talented writers this campus has ever had. Last May,· an exhausted Jon Slade resigned as editor-ill-chief. As Jon left this position, something left The Phoenix. Perhaps it was his wit, or maybe his unique style. As the new co-editors-in-chief, we want to sincerely thank Jon Slade for his wit, his style, and the incredible job he did. We hope everyone appreciates the effort he has put forth. Jon's leadership will surely be missed as well. Although much has been lost, his contributions to this newspaper have not yet ended. The Phoenix has convinced Jon to write a regular column. We are grateful for this and past efforts. Thanks, Jon. Your shoes are un-fillable. 'Wreck'istration Masses, madness, and mayhem. _ Jonathan Slade Ah, yes. School has begun. \ Those sweltering masses huddled in the stairwell of Decker Center yet there was a The write stuff: Do I have amid the madness were waiting for registration mayhem to begin. Surely this activity was planned by the administration, myriad of problems. , to sign up for The principle of giving students an equal chance of consideration it? Do I want it? Why me? classes is quite noble, but due to the varying levels among students (some possess no consideration), this approach failed. A few "military" people, as well as some "sporty" guys believe that lines are formed to make everyone else wait for them. It seems that The only prerequisite one business. Council members I had a rather unfonunate brush the patience and perseverence of about one hundred people can be needs to be a newspaper reporter spend most of their time with reality after being hired to overridden by the small judgement of a self-designated few. is stupidity. 1 say this, of course, postponing action on some vital edit a weekly small- town tabloid. But most headaches came for those who were adding or dropping knowing full well that many will issue until they themselves are "Wow," exclaimed a friend classes. Since all students had to pass through the Forum (at least accuse me of both the occupation out of town and cannot be blamed upon hearing about my new job, once), and the Registrar' was set up in the same room, anyone needing and the personality trait for the resolution. Then the rest "you haven't even graduated from to obtain signatures for add/drop (held on the Dining Porch) had to Reporters, though, do suffer of the meeting is usually dedicated college yet and you're already wait again in the massive line which blocked the stairs (not a fire the misfortune of having to to the smoking of cigarettes, starting at the top." hazard, is it?), simply because of the computer line location. pretend absolute ignorance. If which. is almost as exciting as What she failed to realize, Meanwhile, the formation outside the Dining Porch grew even larger. . they assume to know anything reading the town charter. though, was that I was the only Therefore, anyone who needed to change classes was standing in line during an interview, they will, writer on staff. The top was also for more time than the new classes meet in a week. Perhaps the without fail, miss asking that one the bottom. Registrar should have been closer to the add/drop area. question which could actually lead So, after learning the All in all, maybe this was an exercise to ease our minds into the to a story someone will read. aforementioned lessons, which confused, puzzled state required for a semester's worth of classes. Heaven knows, you could lose took all ,of my first day, I that chance to write an expose on considered tendering my the mental patient caught resignation. (I was so busy indulging in rabid-raccoon sex, or writing news stories, though, it The Phoenix that 4-Her who's teaching his five- took me three to weeks to actually my legged calf to do bandstands. get around committing If you can play dumb, then, or resignation to paper.) Probably even if you're just fortunately the shortest editorship on the- Editor-in-Chief... . Andr.ew J. Raith, Craig Ceell brain-damaged, journalism is the record books. Managing Editor . Robin Myers career for you. All of this .Js not meant to Copy Editor..... . Maryann Rada Sports Editor . Cynthia Schafer Not only does it demand imply, however, that the job can't News EditOl" . Roshini George minimal mental exertion, be interesting if, say, you distill Business Manager C. Lloyd Hart reporting is also boring. Perhaps the worst part about everything that happened to you Photographers •... . Chuck Cruise, Cynthia Schater. Eileen McNulty, Kathleen McNulty Journalists-what reporters like to the newspaper business, however, during a fourteen-hour day down Reporters........... . ~ Jonathan Slade, Bill Oesciak, call themselves when they think is that you always have to look to a three-minute conversation. I Wendy Leroy, Jim Vowles, Tammy Gilt they are smart-have to endure good. Never mind that it's 105 discovered from my editor's desk & Angela Coleman countless interviews with people degrees and everyone else is in the basement of the publisher's Advisor ... . ..... Pamela Regis who consider themselves running around in bathing suits. home, for instance, that there was The 1'hoenix is a bimonthly publication of Westem Maryland newsworthy and act sincerely A reporter still has to wear that a local radon gas crisis that was College. The opinionS expressed in columns and letters to the editOl" do not necessarily reflect those 01 the staff or interested while asking questions pair of wool dress pants and drive killing people who, would you administratiOn. Editorials are the responsibility of the editor- like, "So, when did you start to interviews in his subcompact believe it, were spending lots of in..c;hiel, and ate approved by the editorial .board. The PtIoenix r-'erves the right to headline, and edit for length, collecting poodle hair, Mrs. Dutch oven. time in their basements. clarity, and libelous content. All letters to the editor must be Beetlewax?" Stupid, easily-amused, and And while doing a story about signed. Authorship will be vertneo Reporters also have to cover well-dressed-poruan of a reporter the ten most dangerous Address all mail to: The Phoenix, Westem Maryland College, Westminster, MO 21157. town council meetings, which, if as a young man. How do I know continued on page 5 bottled, could put Valium out of these things? This summer