thebattalion Leave a mark
Note from the editor
This is a special edition to show how The Battalion is produced and the processes we go through to get a paper to the stands each morning.
● special
edition
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media
Honor 117-year-old tradition: read The Battalion
T
EXAS A&M is a special place. It’s filled with both incredible faculty and ambitious students, and its halls echo with traditions honored for decades. I want to tell you about one tradition with which I have fallen in love. Like many other things at Texas A&M, this tradition centers on service. However, unlike most traditions, it is 117 years old. The Battalion was here before the Aggie Ring design we know and love, before the Ross Volunteers and even before Silver Taps, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and Yell Practice. The only tradition older is Muster. The Battalion is the student voice of Texas A&M University. And I am honored to serve as its editor-in-chief for fall 2010 and spring 2011. I began writing for The Battalion before attending classes my freshman year, and I knew long before that I would be serving Aggies by reporting when I arrived in Aggieland. This will be my third year on
staff, and I have learned so much. In the beginning, I did not realize the hard work that goes into making a single issue. The Battalion staff devotes about 100 man hours a day to produce the paper. It is completely student-run and studentproduced. We are the student voice and, as such, we want to know what you have to say. If you have a story idea, e-mail it in; if you have a suggestion or complaint, give us a call. We serve you. We need to hear from students to learn what happens in their lives. That is my favorite part of the job. Every issue, a story reminds me of the uniqueness
of A&M, its traditions and its students. Consider the resolve and strength of those at the turn of the century when one of the greatest traditions of Aggieland Matt Woolbright became one of its greatest tragedies, the junior sociology day Bonfire collapsed. major and fall Even though we lost editor-in-chief 12 family members, we became stronger. Two years later, we saw the patriotism and love for country inherent at A&M when Kyle Field became a symbol of American pride days after Sept. 11, 2001. Fundraising for victims of the Virginia Tech shootings and Hurricane Ike relief are only two examples of the volunteer spirit prevalent at this university. Take advantage of your time here. You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s important. There are more than 800 student
organizations at A&M, and I’m sure one of them matches your interests and passions. Maybe it’s The Battalion. Perhaps you love knowing what’s going on at A&M and want to keep students informed. Or you relish the idea of improving your writing, photography or video skills. Maybe you want to share opinions with a column or podcast. Regardless, you will never be bored. Every day is different. If we have piqued your interest at all, shoot me an e-mail, and we can sit down and talk. Whether it’s with The Battalion or another one of A&M’s phenomenal groups, we want to encourage you. Make a mark on Aggieland while you are here, and then make a mark on the world when you leave. Your time here is so short, and we are fortunate to be here. There are thousands wishing they were in your shoes, but you have earned the right to be here. Make the most of it. To contact Matt Woolbright, send him an e-mail at editor@thebatt.com
Workload 500 hours a week in the fall and spring to produce the paper 350 hours a week in the summer to produce the paper 7,000 hours a semester in the fall and spring to produce content for the paper 3,500 hours a semester in the summer to produce content for the paper 17,500 hours annually 1,850 pages produced each year by students
The Grove The Battalion newsroom is south of Albritton Tower off Wellborn Road.
Getting involved with your student newspaper How to apply If you are interested in writing or contributing content in The Battalion apply at thebatt.com, or call 845-3313. The Battalion welcomes any Texas A&M student interested in writing for the arts, campus, metro or sports staffs to try out. We particularly encourage freshmen and sophomores to apply, but students may try out regardless of semester standing or major. No previous journalism experience is necessary. How to submit a story idea To submit a story idea to The Battalion, send it to metro@thebatt.com and editor@thebatt.com. You are the eyes and ears of the campus and this is your student newspaper. You should include the time, date and place of the story idea. Please include
About_us_pg1.indd 1
at least three contact names, e-mails and phone numbers. The Battalion is a student publication, so please include student contacts. Let the staff know who is important in the story idea, why it’s important that they cover it, what the story idea is, when it is taking place (timely coverage is best), where the story idea is and how does this story idea pertain to students at Texas A&M. Also, the editors are asked to answer: Why do I care? for each of the stories they assign. Let them know why students should care about the story idea you are proposing. The editors of The Battalion are asked to plan content at least two weeks in advance. If you know of a story idea that can be planned early, send the idea in as soon as you can. The earlier, the better. If you know of a student, faculty or staff story that would make a great profile, please send us your ideas. If it’s breaking news, call the newsroom ASAP 845-3315 to report news. For more information, go to thebatt.com/about-us
7/12/10 5:59 PM