Throughout the years, members of the Monmouth University administration have been a key source of information for The Outlook.
We would like to personally thank President Patrick Leahy, Ed.D., Patti Swannack, Vice President for Administrative Services, Mary Anne Nagy, Vice President for Student Life and Leadership Engagement, Marilyn McNeil, Vice President and Director of Athletics, and other key personnel for this consistent aid that they provide to the newspaper.
They typically make time, in what must be very busy schedules, to answer questions and to sit down with Outlook reporters. We would also like to thank the numerous faculty and staff members that answer our inquiries throughout the year.
The editors of The Outlook recognize the importance of our administrators making time for student-media. All of the editors agree that the administrators’ commitment to commenting to The Outlook puts the University and themselves in a good light.
“Even if an interview isn’t in an administrator’s favor it still demonstrates they are willing to have a sit-down conversation and be ‘honest’ to the best of their ability… It may be hard sometimes, but in a high-ranking position, interviews, press, and hard questions are all in the job description,” added another editor.
Members of our administration set an example for other faculty members and staff to whom The Outlook reaches out. Some faculty and staff members are not as willing to aid The Outlook in our reporting. All the editors agreed that others should follow in the footsteps of these select administrators and staff members in being open to the student-press.
“For those who are unwilling to contribute and volunteer necessary information, they are only stifling our job as student reporters and therefore serve as a blockade to the rest of the campus community who have a right to know what is happening here,” said one editor.
These administrators and staff members acknowledge the student newspaper and take it seriously. Often, they answer questions that may be uncomfortable for them, or are asked to discuss topics which they would prefer not to discuss in the campus media.
As journalists, the staff of the paper looks to report on the facts. The willingness of these individuals to answer questions pertaining to pertinent issues allows us to do just that.
“The willingness of the administrators and the higher ups, the President and VPs, to always answer questions for The Outlook portrays how committed they are to its students and their publication,” said another editor. “This commitment to the student press represents their commitment to the futures of these students and to the future of the school.”
Another editor added, “Having conversations with students about issues and seeking their input is a step in the right direction for the future of the University.”
While the editors are grateful for the specific faculty and administrators who have consistently contributed, The Outlook highly encourages others to follow this example and cooperate with the student media; even when it may be uncomfortable or inconvenient to respond.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University