As another semester comes to a close, so does another semester of news on the University of Idaho campus.
As the 2019 fall semester got rolling, The Argonaut reevaluated its approach to storytelling and audience engagement. Our mantra, which is printed atop our paper each and every week, is “For, of and by the students since 1889.” That statement is not only our slogan, but our guideline. In recent years, we have only held ourselves true to pieces of that in certain times.
This year, we decided it was time to refocus back on the “for students” piece of the statement. Traditionally, our readership is rooted in staff, faculty and alumni. Often we miss the largest population of potential readership — students.
Our storytelling and story selection shifted in an effort to try and better understand what students not only need to know, but want to know. That lead to what could possibly be considered “unconventional” journalism — yes, a “meme” beat and meme coverage is largely unconventional. This led to meme page stories, budget story breakdowns so everyone on campus can digest the headache that can be university finances, amongst others.
The Argonaut also added a layer to its idea of “digital first” with ArgoCast, a weekly broadcast segment produced, hosted and run by Argonaut employees.
As we worked to shift our practices, the campus news waited for no one.
This semester was nothing short of busy across campus, with UI’s 19th President C. Scott Green taking the helm of the university and charting a new path for the university. Green had no shortage of things on his to-do list in his early tenure with UI, including but not limited to navigating UI out of a projected $22 million budget deficit and the ensuing turmoil that occurred.
Terry Gawlik became Idaho’s first female athletic director — a strong move on behalf of the university and athletic department. While Gawlik is likely still getting her feet underneath her, she is perfectly primed to lead the department into uncharted territory and we wait anxiously for the future of Vandal athletics.
Old news from the spring resurfaced and continued to make headlines into the fall as well.
The Denise Bennett saga continued as the former tenured Journalism and Mass Media professor made headlines for continued university appeals process and legal troubles.
No matter who fills the newsroom or who is out reporting for The Arg, our mission and dedication remains the same.
Thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for picking up papers Thursday mornings or coming to our site.
We are for, of and by you.
— Editorial Board