The Griffon News

When I was interviewed for my job as editor of this publication, the main thing I wanted to accomplish during my reign was to leave the paper in better shape than when I got to it.

So far there have been a lot of ups and downs.

The downs I kill myself over, I am my own worst critic. However, the Griffon News is finally up to date technologically.

We recently received three much needed computers and have upgraded some of our software through extra funding received from the school. It is very easy to tell you about all the changes that are occurring in the Griffon News office, but as a staff, we would like to show you.

This semester is the first where students can go to the Griffon News website: thegriffonnews.com and see video clips of events going on around campus.

The video clips have voice-overs and really look like something you would see on TV.

The video clips are brought to you by the new editorial position, multimedia editor, who is Dorothy Charles.

The next time you see a girl running around with an expensive camera, you can be assured that the story for that event will be online within 24 hours of the event.

Another great thing about our new website is that the editors and writers can post stories as soon as they are written.

That way students can get information online about an event they went to or missed and not have to wait until Tuesday for the paper to hit the stands.

Along with stories and video feeds, we are working to make the site more interactive.

We have a poll on the website too where you can answer simple questions and get instant results.

Also, if anyone has ever felt compelled to respond to an article in the paper but didn’t want to go through the process of submitting a letter to the editor, there is an option to make comments with every article.

It’s like writing a comment on someone’s blog; it takes about five seconds and gives us feedback, which we love.

The comments are not censored, I believe in free speech, but absurdity and lewd comments will not be gladly received and probably be deleted.

If it so happens that the section where we ask a question to random students and record their responses (Campus Voice), is not printed in the paper, check out the website, it will be on there.

Sometimes we will do both. The one online will have the video clip of the students responding to the questions and not just a picture.

Everyone can watch them squirm while trying to answer the question.

My well-laid plans for the Griffon News are unfolding and I am learning a lot as I go.

I do want to keep the readers of the paper informed of all the endeavors that we are participating in to make the Griffon News worth your reading and internet time.

Don’t wait for Tuesdays, go to thegriffonnews.com and see what new things we are doing this semester.

I plan to set a high bar for my successor when my reign is over.