The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Every week, editorials usually fill page A6 of this newspaper. These editorials, composed by the editorial board, seek to inform and motivate the reader. The Student Government Association election draws to a close next Monday, and The University News will continue the tradition of editorializing by informing students about the candidates' platforms and endorsing the candidates whom the editorial board believes are the best for the job.

The practice of endorsing candidates for political office is nothing new in modern journalism, with more than 75 percent of newspapers making endorsements. Criticisms of the practice are nothing new, either. To some people, the newspaper breaches the objectivity of journalism by giving its pick for any particular political race. What those people miss is that such objectivity continues to exist-on the news pages. The editorial page of a newspaper is meant to express the opinion of the newspaper, whether that opinion means increasing awareness of drug use on campus, encouraging student activism or selecting the people we consider the best candidates for student government.

The actual process of endorsing candidates, particularly in the case of this newspaper, requires a good deal of time and debate. Each year, The University News editorial board interviews the tickets running for SGA executive board positions. After interviewing the candidates and attending the public debates, the editorial board discusses the candidates. The editors, eight in all, then vote for their preferences, the majority ultimately deciding the endorsement.

Regardless of the endorsements, students casting votes have an obligation to make informed decisions.

But together, we think that our endorsements, the candidates' platforms and the election coverage throughout the newspaper can help make those decisions useful and meaningful.

-The Editorial Board
The University News

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