All too often, I find myself irritated after reading the Collegian. Not in a productive, “I'm going to go out and change the world for the better because I've just read an informative article about a social injustice” way either. I find myself irritated because of the widespread lack of research put into the articles. From metro to sports to the Edge, there is a shortage of well researched articles and an abundance of poorly written ones. I'm annoyed. And via an informal poll (asking the people unlucky enough to sit near me in the library), I know that most of you are too.

In Tuesday's paper there was an article in the Edge titled “College students often fail to dress to impress” which was written by Elena Buckner. The writing was good, the content was not. My first question upon coming across this article was, “who are you to tell me what not to wear?” Without establishing some sort of authority on which to base this list of “don'ts”, the article is nothing but a fashion opinion piece. One that fails to consider the demographic toward whom it is directed. Ms. Buckner writes that “While we are an agriculturally based school, it is not necessary to constantly dress like you’re about to wrangle some cattle...” Unless, of course, you're an Ag student that spends most of your day at the Cattle Unit. Fashion sometimes follows function in a work environment, and referring to this style of dress as a “don't” because you are a Secondary Education major is insulting to those that get dirty for a living.

This trend of questionable reporting is not new to the Collegian either. On Monday, April 21, 2008, it was reported that the Kansas State Equestrian Team finished sixth at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships, ultimately falling to the Georgia Bulldogs. In reality, the Wildcats finished fifth and never faced Georgia. A correction was run in the Collegian the following day, outlining a list of seven major errors in the original article. This was almost two years ago, and the fact checking at the Collegian hasn't gotten much better. If you, as a writer, are assigned an article on an obscure sport, it is your responsibility to become familiar with said sport. It is insulting to the athletes who work hard for their achievements to have them diminished by reporters who don't take the time to educate themselves.

Day after day, I pick up a copy of the Collegian only to be disappointed. It isn't enough that one article in ten is informative and well researched. They all need to be. We are lucky enough to attend one of the best public universities in the nation and we should strive for excellence in all areas, including our school newspaper. Articles need to be more in depth, and better researched. Reporters need to take the time to understand what they are writing about, because even if it isn't important to them, it is important to somebody. And we need more interesting coverage than football, condoms, and fashion. Then maybe, people would start reading the Collegian for the articles instead of for the Fourum.

This is a true opinion article that should have been published but you can bash others but not yourself!

Just from the comments on this article:

I don't know the specifics, but the library renovation projects were likely paid for by money in the K-State Libraries' budget. This is a specific amount that is allocated every year, and the department is free to spend it how they choose. It just so happens that they chose to spend it on renovating the library entrance and replacing carpet. Once allocated as part of the annaul budget, it cannot be taken away and used to replace windows in Leasure Hall.

The leadership studies building is entirely paid for with private donations. In most cases, these donations are earmarked for specific buildings or rooms, and cannot be used on maintenance issues without the permission of the donor, who in most cases will not allow it to happen. On the other hand, when you are an alumus, feel free to donate money to the university for window replacement or pothole repair; they will be happy to get the money to do so.

The parking garage is being paid for through an increase in parking permit costs (as well as meters and fines). Those prices were raised with the specific intention of building the garage; even if it were legal to take that money and give it to facilities, it is not reasonable or ethical to do so.

The athletic department receives no funding from the university. In fact, the athletic department is responsible for paying the tuition, fees, etc. to the university for all athletes on scholarship. The contract offered Bill Snyder is paid for from ticket revenues, Ahearn Fund donations, sponsorship and marketing profits, Big 12 revenue-sharing money, etc.