A New Direction

What a weird microcosm college is. You can start as a lowly peon, then soar to the dizzying heights of, oh, say, executive editor. I don't believe there's anything like it in the so-called real world. But here I am, chock full of good cheer and big ideas (and about 50 Slim Jims), and with only the faintest idea of what this job really entails.

Here's what I do know: my job is not to be the iron-fisted ruler here. My job is to be the big coordinator -- everyone here has a different vision for the Dec, and I want to weave all these ideas into one grand well-edited and -written tapestry. Or something. The important thing is that the Dec will, in these coming months, develop a much larger presence within the university. Watch for writing by professors and graduate students, in addition to the variety of student news, articles, columns and reviews. Look also for an expanding focus on the arts at the university and in Charlottesville -- book reviews (especially professors' books), concert reviews, and all other kinds of good stuff. Even video game reviews. The Dec is in a perpetual state of growth and flux, as any publication should be.

The Declaration has improved vastly over the past couple of semesters, as a result of the efforts and incredible resourcefulness of the old staff. These people are going places, believe you me. I guess one of the first places is the hell away from here, and the thought saddens me. I feel pretty lost at sea already.

I came to the Dec the first semester of my first year, and found it an ice floe of intelligence in an otherwise moronic sea of first year activities (come on, now: does anyone have any sentimental attachment to the fire safety fair? How 'bout a lasting warm fuzzy from an all-dorm round of the name game?). I've been here ever since then, and really, the place is home more than anywhere else in the university community (sorry, Bonnycastle third right). It has continually been an outlet for all that is funny, weird, serious, or just plain interesting, and I like being allied with that. Here at U.Va. we sometimes grow accustomed to having only one way of thinking about things (and only certain things), to hearing only one voice. The Dec has room for many voices. So stop by, visit the web page, write in to Signatures, and above all else, keep reading.

-- JLP

Viewpoint is written by a member of the managing board of The Declaration on a weekly basis.