Julia Elmore, ’17
Reminiscing on my experience as a member of the Trinitonian staff brings back a flood of wonderful memories — forming lasting friendships during late nights in the newsroom, interviewing fascinating faculty and staff members and learning from my fellow students about the world around me are just a few of my favorites, but I don’t think I could pick just one. However, I am absolutely positive that my least favorite part of being a student journalist was writing opinion pieces; I never felt strongly enough about any of my topics and never felt informed or experienced enough to write with much authority or conviction. The dread of writing weekly editorials was worse than that of pulling weekly all nighters to get the paper to print on time each Thursday morning.
Here I am a year and a half later, and the current Trinitonian managing editor approached me with an opportunity to write an opinion piece. Strangely enough, I jumped right on it. Unlike the editorials I wrote about candy and childhood discipline two years ago, I care deeply about the subject of student journalism and am excited to advocate for the importance of institutions that provide a worthwhile extracurricular community for students, an outlet for all to express their voice and a source of accountability for universities like Trinity.
During my time on the Trinitonian staff, camaraderie, entertainment and a sense of belonging were some of the greatest benefits I felt I gained from involvement in the organization. However, after graduating, submitting dozens of job applications, landing my first job and working at my current company for almost a year now, I see that I gained so much more and that the skills I learned as a student journalist have helped me tremendously as a young professional. At my first Trinitonian training session as a 19 year old campus pulse reporter, I learned to try to provide every possible perspective when writing a story; today, it is second nature to me to consider multiple perspectives when marketing my company’s services to clients. When I was leading my staff as Trinitonian editor-in chief, I learned the importance of meeting deadlines, and today, my boss notices that I don’t quit until the job gets done. Understanding writing mechanics, AP Style and knowing InDesign and Photoshop have set me apart in many instances from coworkers and I attribute it all to my time on the Trinitonian staff.
My first paper as editor-in-chief followed a theme: You Belong Here. The words are stenciled on the sidewalk around Trinity and are the spirit of the second reason why student newspapers and student journalism are so impactful. Student newspapers provide anyone and everyone to have not only a voice, but more importantly, a platform to use their voice to express their opinions and experiences. By publishing thought pieces from all ends of the social, political, academic and religious spectrums, student newspapers serve to promote a campus community where all experiences and opinions belong and are valued — even enough to be published.
Not only does student journalism benefit individuals involved, but it also provides important accountability to entire universities. Student journalists ask the sometimes tough questions that provoke honesty about university policies and procedures, forcing transparency about financial matters, personnel issues, campus diversity and inclusion, academic and curricular requirements and dozens of other aspects that make up an institution of higher education. Even the best universities have areas in which they could improve, and no marketing team is going to pass out brochures advertising them. It is up to students and concerned members of the university community to raise questions, investigate further and publish facts about how and why their institution is operating in the way that it is. Publishing facts allows for informed citizens to raise concerns and take action to promote positive change. Allowing a free student press is vital for an honest and transparent university system.
Allowing and funding student journalism organizations on college campuses both allows students to learn skills that they will be able to use after graduation, and also promotes accountability at all levels of the university hierarchy. As an alumna who cares deeply about my alma mater and its student newspaper, I feel compelled and proud to support an organization that enriches the experiences of students and the campus as a whole.
