This year is about you.
As one of the university’s oldest institutions, the Daily Bruin has spent almost a century telling the stories of people that cross paths at this university.
The Bruin has served as a record of UCLA’s history, holding those in power accountable and acting as a place for students to comment on the issues of their time.
And we’re still committed to that mission.
But we often become absorbed with what’s going on in our windowless office in Kerckhoff 118, allowing the constant buzz of our newsroom to interfere at times with what really matters: all of you.
In every decision we make this year, with each story we write, all the videos we put together and radio stories we record, we are going to keep you in mind.
What issues are you passionate about? What do you need to know? How do you get your information? What wrongdoings on the part of people in power are going unnoticed?
We want to know. And that’s why we are going to hold focus groups throughout the year and conduct reader surveys, so you can tell us how we – your community newspaper – can better serve you.
Unlike most professional newspapers, you don’t have to subscribe to The Bruin. Just pick up a free copy on the way to class in one of the many newsstands scattered around campus. But chances are, if you’re reading this right now, it’s probably on your phone or laptop.
This quarter, we hope to launch a Daily Bruin mobile application. Last year, we created the sports apps Bruin Football and Bruin Basketball (If you haven’t downloaded them yet, get out your iPhone and find them in the App Store. Go ahead. I’ll wait.) And we’re constantly looking for ways to improve your experience on our apps.
While we are focusing on these new developments, the print edition of the Daily Bruin is still a big part of what we do.
Starting today and for five days every week this school year, we’ll try to fill our pages with your faces, your stories and useful information you need to know. We have revamped the look of our paper so it catches your eye as you walk to class.
But we want to be more for you than pages of newsprint or words on a computer screen. We hope to host community forums, a place where members of our community can come together to talk about issues affecting us everyday. A physical space for intelligent, important discussions about the UCLA community.
I hope you will make us a part of your daily routine, whether it’s on the way to class, on your phone or on your laptop. We’re your newspaper.
Think we’re not covering an issue enough? Have a suggestion for how we can deliver you the news better? Maybe you just have an interesting story.
Your time at UCLA will inevitably change you. We want The Bruin to act as a mirror to that experience and the growth of our community. We know you have thoughts about The Bruin and interesting stories to tell.
So tell us, we’re all ears.
Beck is editor in chief of the Daily Bruin for 2013-2014.