PAGE FOUR
Editorials
Collegian Policy in Pr
(The following ~ rna'ly pub
lished April 29 when the or , ;eiit, Board of Edi
tors took over operation of The Daclu Coliegtan).
The first function of any newspaper is
to print the news—to inform the human
race of what its members are doing, feel
ing and thinking, and to do this as ac
cui ately and fairly as possible. A relatively
new function of the newspaper is to pro
vide objective news analysis and back
ground so that the readers may know not
only what happens, but also why it hap
pens and who is making it happen.
The Daily Collegian as a newspaper en
joys a measure of freedom in action and
expression that is not found in many pro
fessional nor most college newspapers.
Collegian, Inc., a board of members of the
student body, faculty and administration
who serve as the paper's publisher, has
delegated responsibility for the news
paper's day-to-day operations to the Board
of Editors.
The freedom that Collegian enjoys brings
with it corresponding responsibilities. We
pledge ourselves to uphold the responsi
bilities we assume in putting out a news
paper—to report the news as accurately
and fairly as possible, to exercise our best
judgment in coverage and display, to not
knowingly print a falsehood and to correct
any errors that may be printed, to keep
bias from creeping into our news columns,
and to treat equally and fairly all persons
and organizations. This, we maintain, is
the only way to operate a newspaper.
To fulfill these responsibilities, Collegian
believes that within the limits of its abili
ties it must present to its readers what they
have a right to know: what is going on in
the world, with particular emphasis on
what is going on at the University.
Because a newspaper does not make the
news, but merely reports it, everything
which fills its pages is not all pleasant.
Collegian, like any other newspaper, is
dedicated to printing a complete picture
of the news. Therefore, it must print the
unhappy news along with the pleasant.
In reporting what it finds to be true,
...And Editorials: For
Presenting the news is only one func
tion of a responsible newspaper. It also has
an obligation, we believe, to interpret the
news and to comment on it
For many years The Daily Collegian has
striven "For a Better Penn State." This is
our single motto—our single goal.
Some students and administration per
sonnel have expressed the belief that
Collegian should be a "house organ"—that
it should print only articles which reflect
favorably on the University community.
We strongly disagree. It is The Daily
Collegian's belief that the best way to a
better Penn State is to praise its attributes,
constructively criticize its faults and pre
sent the facts about it. To do anything less
would be to engage in distortion and falsi
fication. And distortion and falsification
are not the way to a better Penn State.
We believe that editorials must be fair
and must present an honest, well-thought
out viewpoint. However, they need not
present a popular viewpoint. We will
never criticize for the sake of criticizing,
and we will make alternative suggestions
whenever possible.
Collegian does not claim to be a molder
of student opinion, but rather a guide. In
our editorials we attempt to present view
points, not dogma. Because at least one of
the functions of Collegian editorials is to
inspire students to think for themselves,
editorials often will present both sides of
an issue.
THE DAILY COLLEGIAN, STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA
inting the News ...
a newspaper sometimes makes enemies.
People by nature wish to know the truth
only so long as it does not make them un
comfortable; it is only when the truth dis
tresses them that they condemn what they
consider excesses of freedom of the press.
Acting under its cherished freedom,
Collegian is able to present the news it
believes is significant to its readers. As a
student publication, Collegian feels obli
gated to print campUs news; but because
of limitations in space and manpower it
cannot print all the news of every group
or event.
Since the University is supported largely
by public funds, most of its affairs are of
public concern. Collegian, therefore, be
lieves it has the right to call upon Uni
versity officials for information that is of
legitimate concern to the public or the
student body.
Collegian is not a publicity sheet. It Will
print publicity only when it is also news.
The decision as to what constitutes news
necessarily rests upon the judgment of the
editors, who have been trained to make
such decisions. Because few newspapers
can print all the news that comes into their
offices, today's editors must be selective.
News is relative to other news of the day.
The prominence any article receives de
pends upon what the editors believe to be
its impoi tance as compared to other ar
ticles of the day, as well as depending upon
available space.
We believe Collegian reporters attending
meetings have the same rights the public
itself would have—to see and hear all that
takes, place. "Off-the-record" remarks at a
public meeting are in fact not off the rec
ord by virtue of the fact that anyone could
walk in and hear them.
This newspaper will pursue its reporting
duty as it sees it: to find, write and circu
late the news and to supply adequate back
ground and analyze information with a
maximum of accuracy and sincerity of
purpose and without bias, prejudice or
hope of material gain.
a Better Penn State
Collegian supports no national or cam
pus political party. It has, however, the
right to comment upon platforms, candi
dates and actions of any and all political
parties.
Collegian does not claim to represent
the majority of student opinion, the fac
ulty, the staff, the alumni or the Univers
ity itself. However, its editorials do rep
resent the viewpoint of the newspaper.
When Collegian wishes to emphasize its
position on a matter, an editorial is signed
by the Board of Editors.
A member of the board who wishes to
present an individual view or to look at a
matter in a personel aspect can do this in
a column.
We also welcome the views of readers
through letters to the editor. Letters must
be -signed because we believe the writers
must assume the responsibility for what
they say. However, on rare occasions, Col
legian may decide to withhold names upon
request.
Editorials and letters to the editor are
selected for publication according to the
same criteria good writing, good taste
and good sense.
Lastly, but•not least of all, we welcome
criticism. You, the readers,• have a re
sponsibility too —to see that we do not
accidentally stray - from these polices to
which we have pledged ourselves, -from
our jouriaalistic ethics or from our goal:
"For a Better Penn State."
—The Board of Editors , „
Little Man on Campus by Dick 4iblor
(? )
4. ,••••,4.:
ty
IP. \
"Up here now Miss Brewster—it seemed more practical
to seat the class alphabetically."
Letters
'Gift' Policy
Is Queried
TO THE EDITOR: I was in
censed when I read of the ac
tion of the University Trustees
regarding the gift of the Class
of '5B. As a member of that
class I am interested in the
class gift, but as a former staff
member of WDFM I am also
aware of the great potential of
a University AM station. I
think I am also aware of some
of the problems involved in
getting such a station estab
lished.
I don't feel that I have ade
quate information to make out
right charges concerning the
issue, but the air smells foul
to me, and has ever since the
question of an AM station was
raised several years ago.
What more convenient and
subtle way for the adminis
tration to succumb to "poli
tical" pressure which opposes
the - establishment of an AM
station than to suddenly an
nounce that the money which
was voted to the project isn't
available?
What more opportune mo
ment to announce the magna
nimity of the administration in
the past?
What better coverup could
public relations experts devise
than the announcement of the
University's generosity, cou
pled with the decoy issue of
the senior class gift.
If the University will con
tinue to support worthy stu
dent projects in the future, let
(it) start with an AM radio
station. Let (it) decide the is
sue on "its own merits" with
out undue regard for "outside"
pressures.
I am confident that the Uni
versity community will act
quicky in this case by letting
Editorials aro written by the editors and staff amber,
of The Daily Collegian and do not nemesia!, represent
the views of the University or of the student body.
A Student-Operated Newspaper
00 Daily Tailtgiatt
Successor to The Free Lance. est 1887
Published Dreads, through Saturday morning during the University year, The
Daily Collegian is • student-operated newspaper Entered as seeond-class tsatteg
Job 5 1934 at the State College Pa Post °flirt under the art of March 3. 1870.
Mall Subscription Pricei $3.00 per smears, $5.60 per year
ROBERT FRANKLIN
Editor . I mig>"
laity Editor. David Fineitan: Managing Editor, Richard Drayne; Sports Editor,
Lou Prato; Associate Sporta Editor. Matt Mathews; Personnel and Mlle Relation,
Director, Patricia Eyartsr . Copy Editor. Lynn Ward; Assistant Copy Editor. Dirk
Fisher; Photography Editor, Robert Thompson. _ '
Credit Mgr.. Janice Smith: Local Ad Mgr.. Tom Hockey: Asst. Local Ad Mgr..
Robert Piston.; National Ad Mgr., Betsy Braekbiii; Promotion Mgr.. Kitty Bar
relit Personnel Myr., !dickey Nash; Classified Ad Mgr.. Barbara Ryan; Co.
Circulation Mgrs.. Mary Anne First and Murray Simon; Research and Records
Mgr.. Mary Herbeini Office' Secretary. Mile Johnson.
STAFF
Nalkk ;
THIS ISSUE: Copy Editor, Cathy Fleck: Night and Wire Editor, Denny
AuldAnts. Heter loteGeiterty, Betsy Audersoki Oahe Melee Jim SerrilL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1953
(its) views be known, and will
thereby preserve the tradition
of the class gift as well as the
chance for the community to
benefit from an AM radio sta
tion.
—Paul H. Nelson
graduate student
Gazette
Clover Club. It. B. Sprague on "The
Need foi Men Trained in Agricul
ture:. 7:15 p.m., 111 Tyeon
Chrlatian Fellowship. 12:45 p.m., 213
HUB
Collegian Promotion Staff. 7 p tn., 209
Willard
Ed Council. 7:30 p.m. 214 HUD
P , esliman Cwttoma p.m.,
6:30 p.m.,
217-218 HUH
Freshman Regulations Board, 12:30
IMEMMN
5 p.m., 215, 216, 263 HUB
Froth Circulation Staff , 6:46 p.m..
. .
HUB Anditcfrium
IFC-Panhel meeting, 4 p.m., 212 HUB
Liberal Arta Council, 6:30 p.m., 212,
213 HUB
LaVie Meeting, 7 p.m., 216 HUB
Marketing Club, 7 p.m., 215 HUB
Outing Club, Skating Division, 7 p.m.,
111 Boucke
Panhellenic Council, 6:30 p.m., 203
HUB
WDFM News, Staff and Candidates,J
p.m., 9 Carnegie
WRA Golf Club, 3 p.m., Caddy House
WRA Hockey Club, 4:le p.m., Holmes
Field
WSG A Judicial, 15:15 p.m., 217 HUB
Agronomy Seniors
Named to Offices
Paul Johnson, senior in ag
ronomy from Clymer, and
James Holt, senior in agron
omy from Philadelphia, were
elected to national offices of
the American Society of Ag
ronomy at Purdue University.
Johnson was elected to the
vice presidency and Holt was
re-elected as co r responding
secretary. They are members
of the Penn State Clover Club,
a member of the student sec
tion of the American Society
of Agronomy.
FRANK VOJTASEK
Business Manager
TODAY