2008 Woodie Awards
Staff Editorial
Reviving a Sophian Tradition
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Opinions
Throughout history, Smith students have never been afraid to open their mouths and express their opinions. Least of all The Sophian, which, during its long history, has led the way, through its staff editorials. In the Dec. 12, 1941 issue of the then "Smith College Associated News," the Editorial Board reacted to the bombing at Pearl Harbor and the knowledge that the United States was at war. "We believe," the Board wrote, "that it is the duty of Smith students to continue their studies with complete concentration… Yet we must remember that our country is fighting to preserve an ideal of democracy… A liberal education will teach us to understand this ideal so that we can carry it on to future generations."
23 years later, in the Nov. 10, 1964 issue of The Sophian, the Editorial Board used the staff editorial to praise the Sophia Smith Collection as a wealth of original source material about the history of women. "Browse through the stacks sometime for a pleasant, intellectual surprise," the editorial suggested. "Then the question, 'Why not have a woman as president?' will seem much less ridiculous than before."
Moving into the 21st-century, the staff editorial of Sept. 18, 2003 focused on peer-to-peer file sharing, an issue that remains controversial on campus this year.
The Sophian is planning to revive the tradition of the staff editorial this year, following in the footsteps of the women before us, to establish our voice on campus. Each week, one Sophian editor will write an editorial based on a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. The topics we will cover this year will focus primarily on Smith campus issues and issues pertinent to college students, including substance abuse on campus, financial aid, and political action.
The New York Times's editorials are so heralded that when the traditional editorial endorsing a presidential candidate is published, it makes front-page news in other newspapers. Although we do not claim the status of The Times, we do hope that these editorials stimulate discussion on campus.
23 years later, in the Nov. 10, 1964 issue of The Sophian, the Editorial Board used the staff editorial to praise the Sophia Smith Collection as a wealth of original source material about the history of women. "Browse through the stacks sometime for a pleasant, intellectual surprise," the editorial suggested. "Then the question, 'Why not have a woman as president?' will seem much less ridiculous than before."
Moving into the 21st-century, the staff editorial of Sept. 18, 2003 focused on peer-to-peer file sharing, an issue that remains controversial on campus this year.
The Sophian is planning to revive the tradition of the staff editorial this year, following in the footsteps of the women before us, to establish our voice on campus. Each week, one Sophian editor will write an editorial based on a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. The topics we will cover this year will focus primarily on Smith campus issues and issues pertinent to college students, including substance abuse on campus, financial aid, and political action.
The New York Times's editorials are so heralded that when the traditional editorial endorsing a presidential candidate is published, it makes front-page news in other newspapers. Although we do not claim the status of The Times, we do hope that these editorials stimulate discussion on campus.
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