Daily continues to report campus news

For more than a century, the victories, tragedies, surprises and most talked-about people and events have found their way into The Michigan Daily. Some of these personalities and events have commanded bold headlines and large photos, others saw only a few inches of fame.

Throughout the years, the Daily has existed with the primary function of reflecting what is happening to and around the people on the University campus. If what is on our pages is what students and administrators are talking about in the residence halls, in the bars and even behind closed doors, then we have done our job.

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily The Michigan Daily business staffers Sonya Kleerekoper and Ryan Hopker spend their days recruiting advertisers to fund the production and distribution of the paper.

We do our best to give our readers the information necessary for them to form their own opinions on events and issues on campus.

But even with our systems of fact-checking and editing, occasionally, we get or give the wrong information. If we make a mistake, let us know.

Call me, call the section editor, write a letter to the editor. Keep in mind, though, that we do not make these errors with any prior agenda or to slight any campus group. We are students, just like you, working hard to bring the news to your doorstep every day.

The Daily's editorial staff consists of about 100 reporters, editors, photographers and artists. They are responsible for everything above the adlines in the paper.

If you look in our staff box, you will see students listed as staffers in: news, sports, arts, editorial page, online, photo and graphics.

Most staffers work for one part of the paper, although the only limitation is that staffers may not write for the editorial page and the news section concurrently.

The business side of the paper is lead by the business manager and staffed by about 50 students selling classified ads, display ads and dealing with the financial and circulation aspects of the paper. Just like staffers on the editorial side, business staffers are getting incredible, hands-on experience in their field.

While I like to think of The Michigan Daily as an immortal part of the campus that changes with the students that read it every year, it is also a business, and a very complicated one.

Some of our staff members enter the Student Publications Building with extensive knowledge of journalism and the news business. Some walk in after reading an occasional newspaper column over the years.

But by the time they leave the building for the last time, most have gained priceless experience and insight in journalism, and the knowledge that they have made important contributions to the University.

Perhaps just as important as the job they do, is the fact that staff member have found a niche on this sprawling campus that they can call their own.

With a student body as large and diverse as ours is, it is important to find a smaller unit on campus where you feel comfortable and appreciated. For Daily staffers, the Student Publications Building provides just that.

Officially, the Daily is published Monday-Friday, every day classes (but not exams) are in session. But don't be alarmed if you see a copy of the Daily lying around on a Saturday or around the time of a major campus event.

A few years ago, we started putting out special tabloid-sized editions of the paper for football Saturdays and some special events and the tradition stuck. We have distributed special sections marking such events as Michigan's trip to the Pasadena, last year's hockey tournament at Yost Ice Arena and the tragic and shocking murder of a student on campus.

Some of these special sections are planned far in advance, and others, such as the one announcing the Tamara Williams tragedy, are put together in a matter of hours.

These special sections have become an essential ingredient in our attempts to highlight issues and events that are important to students on campus.

This September, The Michigan Daily celebrates its 108th birthday. We look forward not only to reporting, but to being a part, of the events and milestones of the next year.

09-08-98