As the 2013-2014 editor-in-chief I have one main goal: to make sure that each student at UNA feels like the campus newspaper has represented and informed him or her in the best possible way.

For the editors and myself that means we will make sure to keep you up-to-date with any breaking news stories like campus safety, student fees, upcoming student events or on-campus construction.

We will do our best to do the research and go to those meetings that, maybe, you don’t want to go to. We will ask administrators the tough questions so that you, the reader, can have the best answer.

Most importantly, we will make sure to have the facts checked and double-checked.

The thing is, though, we can’t do any of this without your feedback and opinions.

After all, this is your campus newspaper.

So, in that regard, I am giving you some marching orders. Nothing too hard, I promise. I ask only that you get involved with this university. As you walk around the SOAR tables and meet the leaders of the RSOs on campus, try to picture yourself in that group. Then, when you return this fall, go out and pursue them.

UNA has some amazing organizations to get involved in. I would know; I have literally been in half of them as a delegate of SGA, member and leader of Greek Life, president of various honors societies and active student in the Honors Program.

I got involved with the paper, though, because I enjoyed how I had the opportunity to be involved with almost every group simply by writing about them. I like to say that I got to be in the club without having to go to every meeting.

So, if writing, design or photography are more up your alley, please come down to our offices and have a chat with us. We would love to see you.

If that’s not your thing, I completely understand. We would still appreciate it if you gave us updates on your organization or department.

My point is this: we are a student newspaper. Our job is to report campus events. If you don’t get involved, we won’t have anything to write.

It also means that, if you enjoy writing or photography or designing and don’t come visit us, we won’t have writers or photographers or designers to share the information with the campus. See the dilemma?

If you can’t make it over to our office, that’s fine. Send us an email, give me a call or follow us on Twitter via our individual accounts (mine is @cbeckin) or The Flor-Ala’s official account (@UNAFlor-Ala) for all the latest updates.

We love student feedback and couldn’t do what we do without you.

So, as the incoming editors and I gear up for the year ahead of us, we would like to say welcome to UNA. You have made a great choice in a school and we look forward to speaking with you in the fall.