Dear new and returning students,
On behalf of the staff here at The Ontarion, welcome to a new year at the University of Guelph!
Whether this is your first year, your last year, or somewhere in between, now is the time to explore new ideas and engage with the world around you.
We live in a global world ruled by digital technology, instant communication, and a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. We may be more efficient than ever before when it comes to the spread of information. So where does that leave a small, independent community newspaper?
With 65 years of student journalism under our collective belt, The Ontarion has seen many changes in the industry—from the way we gather information, to the way we present it. Each year, we get a new editorial and production staff, keeping ideas fresh and sharing around an invaluable learning experience. With this heavy rotation of staff and volunteers, each publishing year is unique.
Over the last few years, The Ontarion has put an increasing emphasis on our online presence, following the universal trends of journalism and media as a whole. While some student newspapers have opted to make the transition to fully digital platform, it is my hope that we can keep the print edition of The Ontarion going for many years to come, starting with taking a more campus-centric approach.
I firmly believe that there is still a place for newspapers in this world, especially when it comes to the kind of community-driven reporting that we do here. We are here to tell your stories—stories that may just seem like ink printed on paper now, but with time will become a piece of your history at U of G.
I encourage you to make your mark this year. Come out to one of The Ontarion’s weekly volunteer meetings, pitch us your story ideas, volunteer your talents as a reporter, illustrator, or photographer—or simply pick up a copy of your student newspaper to read in between classes.
Spread the word!
Sincerely,
Dana Bellamy
Editor-in-Chief