What makes the Opinion Page so different from the other pages of the newspaper?

While the rest of the paper deals in facts, this page allows members of the Optimist staff to provide their opinions about issues to which the audience can relate.

The written products and cartoons published here are the works of the Editorial Board, a seven-member panel of students on the Optimist staff. We, the board, meet once a week to discuss issues and events relevant to our audience and us. During that time a number of things are discussed. The results of the meeting appear on this page in the form of an editorial.

What is the difference between a column and an editorial?

A column provides the opinion of one person and is written about a topic of their choosing, whereas an editorial conveys the opinions of the entire Editorial Board.

After choosing an issue to discuss, the board then decides which stance to take. After a consensus is reached, we support arguments with facts and research the topic to the best of our ability.

Our goals are to clearly state our stance on an issue and to always enforce our arguments.

Some people will disagree with our opinions entirely, others will agree whole-heartedly. Inducing a response of any kind means an editorial was successful. Perhaps we can even introduce someone to a new way of thinking.

The content of this page is not meant to be a one-sided conversation. We do what we do to create conversation, not to make people mad.

The Opinion Page is not limited to displaying only the opinions of the Editorial Board. Letters to the Editor are welcome and the “hashtagACU” section provides multiple people with a chance to add their two cents in 140 characters or less.

Readers are not restricted from voicing their opinions. In fact, they are encouraged to join the conversation.

When we receive a response, we know we are doing our job right. We are interested in hearing and learning about many different opinions.

While we do our best to maintain a professional attitude, we occasionally introduce a little humor when the conditions are appropriate. Whether it is used in a satirical editorial or a column about pirates, comic relief is included for the reader’s benefit.

Our intentions are to entertain as well as inform.

Our job is important. Through multiple outlets, we provide readers with a new or different outlook. We provide a brief insight to our perspective of ACU, Abilene and beyond.