The Optimist and social clubs have not enjoyed a pleasant relationship in the past, and as editor in chief, I hoped – naively, perhaps – this year would be different. Our staff already has received several complaints from club officers and members regarding Optimist content, so I entreat anyone involved in a social club to hear me out.
I do not hate social clubs. I lived in a house with four Gamma Sigma Phi members throughout my junior year, and I had a blast. I do not detest pledging or the concept of uniting future club members through challenging and often strenuous activities. As a high school athlete, I reaped the benefits of “initiating” new team members, who became friends with whom I spent as much time off the court as on it.
That being said, I am also a journalist. The student body benefits from a semiweekly newspaper that alerts them about administrative issues, such as tuition and fee changes and student government activity. Our watchdog function is important, but we also need to inform students about things that interest them.
Hundreds of students are involved in social clubs, and hundreds more join them every year. Therefore, the Optimist has a responsibility to cover clubs’ involvement and effect on campus.
Can we be honest for a second? Being in club is not hugs and warm, fuzzy feelings all the time. Nothing in life is, so why would a social club be the exception. Club members do not spend time together only to further spiritual growth, and that is OK. Some might have negative experiences at social club events or pledging activities. We do not seek out negative news, but if we were confronted with it, would you ask us to ignore it? If our staff only reported good news, what credibility would we have?
At the beginning of the pledging process, our editorial board saw fit to encourage students to not place their identity in club membership. This was not an attempt to undermine pledging or social clubs in any way. Members of our board witnessed tears of bid-less, disheartened students and, in years past, pledges who forsook everything but club for six weeks.
I am asking every social club member and officer to take me at my word. Just as I expect club presidents and officers to answer my emails and phone calls, you can expect me to answer yours. Please treat reporters and staff members with respect, just as JMC faculty and I have instructed them to treat you.
The Optimist will continue making every effort to report accurate news our readers care about and need to know.
