Editorial: 75 Years Young
Reflecting on almost a century of La Salle in print

March 1, 2006

“The La Salle Collegian is a newspaper run by the students of La Salle University in Philadelphia, serving the entire University community.”

Every week this brief boilerplate is printed under the list of staff on the Collegian’s editorial page. Despite its simplicity, this description contains all of the fundamental elements that have remained constant in defining the Collegian over the last 75 years.

“The La Salle Collegian is a newspaper…”

Its role as a newspaper makes the Collegian distinct from all other media on campus. While other publications seek to provide information about specific interests to targeted groups of individuals, the Collegian seeks to report the general news to the entire campus. The Explorer chronicles memories; the Grimoire provides a creative outlet for expression; Politicus seeks to raise political awareness; the La Salle Magazine features updates for and about alumni and the campus. WEXP Radio and Channel 56 both educate and entertain through original programming and coverage of sports and campus events. These media outlets are very successful in accomplishing their purposes. However, by the very definition of a newspaper, the Collegian must attempt to cover the information provided in all of these other media combined.

The University is legally responsible for the Collegian as its publisher. Therefore, the Collegian adheres to the standards of professional journalism defined by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. The Code of Ethics set forth includes the canons of responsibility, freedom of the press, independence, sincerity, truthfulness, accuracy, fair play and decency. The Collegian applies these principles to all of its content and endorses no platforms, except when clearly marked as opinion in the commentary section.

As a newspaper, the Collegian holds a mirror to the campus and records its reflection. A true picture demands that every type of story is covered. This presents further unique responsibilities. The Collegian must report incidents of crime in addition to plans for campus improvements, and stories of tragedy in addition to those of victory and accomplishment. Virtually every class has such experiences throughout its four years at La Salle, and reflection is necessary for improvement or continued success. As the campus newspaper, the Collegian provides the unbiased information necessary for such reflection.

“…run by the students…”

The Collegian is written by students, about students, for students. The staff makes decisions about what stories to cover based on what the community determines to be newsworthy. Even world news stories are written from an angle that explores how the issues discussed affect the students of La Salle.

On campus, students have an array of local and national newspapers to choose from to learn about the larger world around them. However, only the Collegian can provide them with news about and specific to their immediate community. Stories that most affect La Salle students take precedence over stories that report campus events, faculty promotions or policy changes.

Any individual student may join the Collegian staff as a reporter, and every voice is granted the equal opportunity to be heard. Hundreds of students have written for the Collegian since its inception in 1931. The Collegian was a forerunner on campus in placing women in positions of authority while the school was in the process of transitioning into a co-educational institution. The first female editor-in-chief took the helm of the Collegian in 1976, three years after the integration of the school.

From the beginning, when students typed their work on typewriters and manually cut and pasted stories to fit together, to the present, where we now use technology to lay out pages, the Collegian staff members have worked full-time hours in addition to attending classes. As methods of production have improved, new difficulties have arisen. The dedication and hard work required have remained constant.

“…of La Salle University in Philadelphia,…”

The Collegian’s scope has significantly broadened since its inception 75 years ago, but its main focus has remained the University. The Collegian’s greatest growth of range occurred in the 1960s when students began reporting on larger social issues that were affecting the entire nation. Around this time, the Collegian also began taking a more vocal stance on issues affecting the campus.

The Collegian has continued to center around La Salle without being confined to its borders. It has covered everything both positive and negative about the University, reporting fairly and not blindly.

At times, Lasallian values are at odds with the ideals of free press, but these founding principles of the Collegian’s host institution always take precedence. With respect to tradition, the Collegian challenges La Salle to strive for excellence through the expression of approval and criticism.

“…serving the entire University community.”

The Collegian is one of the few elements of La Salle that is of universal interest to the entire University community. It remains the most efficient way of disseminating news on campus, and acts as a common bond that reports on everyone and favors no one.

The Collegian is about, for and read by: members of different schools; student clubs; community service organizations; sports teams; faculty; administration; alumni; Greek organizations; staff; prospective students; student government; and academic programs. Either as members of one of these smaller groups, or as general members of the La Salle community, the Collegian serves everyone.