The word “opinion” often finds itself tossed around in the same conversations as the words “conflict” or “disagreement.” This is unfortunate because it gives “opinion” a negative connotation, rather than suggesting some of the other rich benefits that opinions bring not just to our conversations, but also our communities.

The goal of the opinion page in the Optimist each week is to offer our community a collection of opinions that, agreed with or not, create dialogue across campus. That doesn’t mean we hope arguments and fits of rage ensue. Our hope is that our audience pauses long enough to think critically about their own opinions, how they were formed and how someone else could arrive at an opposing opinion.

Each opinion page includes varying amounts of columns, editorials, cartoons and audience opinions via social media.

A column is the opinion of one single person. Some are serious and some are light-hearted, but no matter the subject, the writer decides the topic and signs their name to it.

An editorial is the collective opinion of the editorial board. The editorial board is comprised of the eight members you see above. The stance we’ve taken on the local or national issue we’ve chosen to discuss is the combined opinion of us eight alone–not the university or anyone other than ourselves.

When a consensus among the eight is not reached, two editorials with opposing views will be published. This allows us to accurately present the argument of each side.

The cartoon, one of the most popular features of this page, is often created to help the audience visualize the viewpoint presented in the editorial.

The tweets are one way we give our audience a voice in our final product. However, the newest addition to the opinion page is the publishing of YikYaks: the controversial, yet popular, social media app that allows students to share their opinion anonymously within the same geographical location.

Whether it is an individual, collective or anonymous opinion, we believe the opinion page can provide our audience with content that makes us all more well-informed, critical thinkers (*every CORE student cringes*).

Just as the Optimist has chosen to exercise our First Amendment rights through freedom of speech and press, we encourage our readers to do the same. Comments online and letters to the editor are encouraged and may be published in the Optimist.