Dear Readers,
In August 2013, The Chronicle started one of the most important transition periods in its 110-year history when it cut a day of print and committed to more of a digitally-focused model. Almost two years later, we find ourselves still making adjustments to our production process, including not printing each week this summer and working on the latest redesign of our website.
But despite the numerous changes in media that have caused the number of followers on our main Twitter account to exceed the number of papers we print four times each week, our purpose in 301 Flowers is still the same—to serve as the University's independent watchdog and add to the conversations happening on campus.
Although many people think that the shift away from traditional print journalism has hurt college newspapers like The Chronicle, the change is also the reason now is as exciting a time as ever to be a part of our conversations. With the proliferation of digital forms of media, we now have more ways to start conversations that extend well beyond the boundaries set by the cranes transforming each edge of campus.
In addition to delivering content to our audience through our regular print editions and special supplements throughout the academic year, the number of people that access our content on mobile devices, Twitter and Facebook continues to grow. And rather than letting the preferences of our audience lead to a decline in popularity, we want to embrace these changes and turn them into a new formula for long-term success—but we need your help.
Just like it is our job to hold the various actors on campus accountable, you have the opportunity to give us your feedback and impact the narratives we tell in the upcoming year. So as you digest our latest content on our website, email newsletter, @DukeChronicle, @chroniclesports, @dukebasketball, and our Duke Chronicle Facebook page, send us your feedback and hold us accountable. For those who prefer keeping up with the news with our print products, use Issuu to keep track of our latest work before or after you pick them up on stands Monday through Thursday.
Feel free to ask us questions and pick the brains of our reporters using features like #AskChron—odds are one of our beat writers will be able to help you understand whatever you're curious about. When you have more thoughts on our work or the pressing issues on campus, submit guest columns or Letters to the Editor. Perhaps most importantly, help us craft the stories you want told by pitching us your ideas about the latest storylines and people impacting Duke you think are important.
But if you really want to leave your mark on campus dialogue, join our ever-evolving staff and see for yourself why in addition to presenting more challenges, being a journalist in this day and age also gives you much more freedom and can be much more fun as a result.
Take the two days April 6 and April 7, for example, which most Cameron Crazies will remember as the time Duke basketball won its fifth national title. Our various departments worked together to produce two special print editions, 30 stories online and countless photos and social media posts in less than 48 hours.
We told the stories you would expect, and some you wouldn't, including a columnist reminding readers about the noose incident that sent shockwaves through campus just days earlier, a blog post detailing the Twitter war between the official Duke and Wisconsin Twitter accounts before tipoff and a historical look into the national title game even the most die-hard college basketball fans could appreciate.
Rather than being on opposite ends of the spectrum, our print and digital products complemented each other like Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor on the pick-and-roll—I was a sports reporter for two years, I couldn't help myself—showing why now more than ever we really can offer everyone an opportunity through The Chronicle.
Our News and Sports departments have been the staples of our organization and likely will be for years to come, with reporters scouring campus each day to bring you the latest activity inside the Allen Building and Cameron Indoor Stadium. But these departments are still growing and can offer even more with lighter content like stories about David Rubenstein—chair of the Board of Trustees—rapping and Okafor playing basketball with a dog.
The Opinion section gives columnists across campus the chance to express their thoughts in print and online—even through less traditional outlets like videos—and houses our independent Editorial Board, which consists of a small cross-section of the student body and writes on its latest discussions.
A growing staff of contributing photographers continues to improve, telling stories without uttering a single word and highlighting the most dynamic parts of our print and online products.
Our Recess section provides a unique look into the arts, exploring the local arts scene in Durham and on campus while utilizing new content like film, music and TV show reviews to appeal to its audience.
Towerview, our monthly magazine, uses long-form pieces to analyze Duke using a different lens—the result is in-depth story-telling on topics like the University's favorite drug dealer that gives writers more words to work with than some Writing 101 classes.
Haven't heard anything that appeals to you yet? That's okay, because we have expanding graphic design, layout, social media and video teams that are also ready for some new faces—no experience necessary.
So whether you're an incoming freshman looking to find a passion or a confused upperclassman wondering why all this construction is happening at the same time, consider becoming part of our team—you might find a conversation that makes you stick around.
Amrith Ramkumar is a Trinity junior and Editor-in-Chief of The Chronicle. You can reach him at ar299@duke.edu or more than likely in The Chronicle office—301 Flowers.
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