Staff Editorial: This is Your Paper

As we end production for this semester, The Hilltop staff would like to take the time out to acknowledge our readers' thoughts about the paper so far, as well as discuss some constructive ways to continue to improve it next semester.

Although many people may not be able to match the names listed on the masthead with the faces that roam The Yard, we hear your comments in class, we see your Twit pics when we mess up and we read your tweet critiques. Many of us have even spoken with readers personally about your feelings about The Hilltop. So, here are our responses to some of the frequent comments that we hear.

1. "I never read The Hilltop, but…" In order to critique a product, you first need to be knowledgeable about it. If you decided to stop reading the paper two years ago, two months ago, or even two weeks ago, tell us why, so that we can know what to work on. You can't say we didn't write a story that you simply didn't read. Whether you like what we do or not, don't give up on us. We represent you and the best critiques are informed ones.

2."The Hilltop covers too much fashion and not enough national and world news." First, for every one of you who hates "Caught in Style," there is another one of you who keeps tweeting or emailing us your picture asking to be "caught." Relevance is relative, and we try to have something that appeals to all of our readers.

Also, The Hilltop is not the Washington Post and we don't have the resources to be. Our goal is to bring you originally reported stories and we cannot dispatch contributing writers to Afghanistan. We cover national politics when we can and leave the rest up to staff editorials where we can site outside sources.

3. "[Fill in the blank] happened last night, and where is it in The Hilltop?" As much as we would like to, we don't always know everything and we can't always be everywhere. This is where you come in. If you have a story idea or know of an event that you would like for us to cover, e-mail an editor or come to a budget meeting at 6 p.m. on Sundays in the P-level of the West Towers. This is a college newspaper and all students are welcome to contribute.

4."I read The Hilltop when it was daily, but now…" The newspaper industry as a whole struggles financially, and we are no exception. Even if you don't see a paper every day, thehilltoponline.com is always on. Count the cut back as a blessing and a curse because many of us would not be here if it were still a daily production.

5. "The Hilltop be having too many typos." We know we mess up sometimes. We will try to do better. Copyediting is hard work. Please feel free to help out, but try not to stab us with your red pen in the process.

Our View: The Hilltop staff works very hard to bring you the best paper that we possibly can. We know that there is room for improvement, but that is not possible without your help.