THE CAVALIER DAILY is circulated among approximately 10,000 readers within the University community, and is likely read online by a similarly significant population, making it arguably the most influential of student publications on Grounds. This is pointed out not to pat the back of this publication, but to illustrate a severe inadequacy of the editorial approach pursued by the paper's current Managing Board. The lead editorial, the daily unsigned column on the first page of the opinion section, is written as the voice and opinion of the paper's Managing Board. Rather than engage in naysaying and unconstructive criticisms of policies by and toward the administration of the University, the Board should use the editorial to encourage and advocate pervasive community betterment by and on behalf of the University community.
The marketplace of ideas always benefits from those who challenge the standard institutional paradigm and mindsets of the status quo. To the Board's credit, recent editorials have frequently sought and, most often, achieved this commendable goal. This column invokes the same right in goading the paper's leadership toward more constructive ends.
Rarely does the politics of the General Assembly have such a tangible effect on the daily lives of students at the University than right now, in the midst of these severe budget cuts. This semester, these cuts have finally filtered down to the everyday student. Printing restrictions, cancellations of classes and sections, the alteration of traditions like intermediate honors -- which now will be held in University Hall rather than the Lawn -- and now the promise of tuition increases: These are but a few examples of the cumbersome pill students are being forced to swallow. Student frustrations are high and impatience is growing. This sentiment has the potential to be marshaled toward community and political action to effect change in the current situation.
Rather than encouraging write-in campaigns to politicians, participation in registration drives or advocating the need for out-of-state students to register in Virginia for the upcoming bond referendum (which is legal, given that a student refrain from casting a ballot at home), the Board's editorial approach has taken a different position. In fact, neither mention of registration deadlines nor the criteria for voting have ever been passed on to the reader. Perhaps the Board has chosen to leave the responsibility for advocating political participation to Student Council and other political groups, none of which have the daily access to students that is enjoyed by The Cavalier Daily -- distributed to thousands each morning.
Advocacy for community action need not only apply to the state budget cuts. Take, for example, two lead editorials from the past week. Both dealt with the water shortage in Charlottesville. The first criticized the City of Charlottesville for skewing its new water rates unfairly against fraternities and other off-Grounds housing. The latter criticized Facilities Management for power-washing bricks at Lambeth Residence Halls. Both of these issues were compelling concerns, and were well worth bringing to the attention of the student body. However, the editorials should not have stopped there. They did nothing to advocate community action, such as shorter showers or any other type of water conservation. They did not suggest that students voice their concern to the city at City Council's weekly meeting, which is open to the public. Neither did the editorials suggest that students contact anyone in the University administration over abuses in water-use policy.
There must be more to the editorials than a sarcastic, critical voice, as is portrayed in the occasional "By the numbers" pieces. These cynical columns present a list of numbers that most often paint a picture of the misappropriation of resources by various groups or institutions. Although they may exact a laugh or two from a reader, they offer nothing constructive, as exemplified by estimates that "three intoxicated students [would] turn over a new leaf and become registered voters." In reality, at this past weekend's Rock N' Rally nearly 800 students registered to vote.
It is always simple to criticize the intentions and ideas of others. It is much more difficult to lead the charge for positive change within our community. It is time the lead editorials of The Cavalier Daily reflect a commitment to the latter. This paper has the power to reach the minds of thousands of well-educated, intelligent and remarkably active students. If correctly motivated, there is no end to what might be accomplished. Let the editorials act as an instrument for making good things happen, rather than simply making demands of the administration, or sarcastic condemnations of those students who try to make a difference. The University deserves better, and the minds in the basement of Newcomb Hall are capable of much better, as well.
(Preston Lloyd's column appears
Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at plloyd@cavalierdaily.com.)
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