Wildcats,
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kaylie McLaughlin and I’m the outgoing editor-in-chief of the Collegian.
This issue you’re reading is my final paper as the top editor before I hand the reins off to the very capable Bailey Britton as she begins what I’m sure will be a successful tenure as the leader of a publication I love dearly.
Let me be one of the first to welcome you back to campus for what will be year like none before. I’d like to say the unprecedented nature of this semester is for good reasons, but it simply isn’t. Everything about these next few months is terribly uncertain.
I’d like to tell you for sure that this semester will work out as we have planned, but I cannot. I wish I had the answers, but no one does. These are trying times for everyone and college students are not immune. There are, however, a few things I can promise you.
In the past, the Collegian promised to reaffirm our role on campus in the hopes of focusing more on student voices — as is the primary job of a college newspaper. While we will continue to uphold this goal as a staff, we feel that an important part of storytelling for students is meeting them where they are.
Students could be anywhere right now — some may never step foot on campus at all this semester. With all students in mind, we have made some changes to our normal publication schedule and will continue to carry on some projects from the completely digital operation we ran in the spring.
Physical Collegians will be printed every Monday and Friday, and virtual-only papers will be made available on these days as well. Additionally, online publication will continue 24/7.
The newsletter will continue to go out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It will be filled with the most recent stories you need to stay up to date on what’s happening on campus. Subscribe to receive the newsletter in your inbox at noon at kstatecollegian.com/newsletter.
A lot of things will remain the same. In our 120-plus years of history, the Collegian has been dedicated unwaveringly to the student voice, and it has succeeded due to students’ input. As has always been the case, we are open to your feedback, suggestions, opinions and news tips.
If you wish to share an opinion, our community editor Anna Schmidt can be reached at opinion@kstatecollegian.com. If you have a news tip or wish that we would cover something specific, send it directly to news@kstatecollegian.com.
If you do not already, follow the Collegian on Twitter @kstatecollegian for regular updates. The Collegian will continue to accept news tips through news@kstatecollegian.com and letters to the editor via letters@kstatecollegian.com. As is always the case, news can be found at kstatecollegian.com.
This period of time is difficult, and it’s only the beginning of what is certain to be a tough road to recovery. We will get through this pandemic, and the Collegian is dedicated to keeping you informed while we navigate this crisis together.
At this time, I wish you all health and safety. Please, take care of yourselves and take care of each other.
Best,
Kaylie McLaughlin