Mine is a largely thankless job. I receive no pay, nor do I earn any credits as the ombudsman for The State Hornet. That lucrative endorsement deal is not coming my way any time soon, and it’s better this way. That kind of separation fosters a feeling of neutrality that is necessary. What I do get out of my job is a measure of satisfaction. I enjoy helping a publication in which I invested many long nights, become better.

Like many columnists, I too gauge a portion of my success on the number of reader responses in my inbox. If you are responding, I at least know you’re reading the Hornet, and your letters mean you want to help me improve your paper.

I received a number of responses in the past two weeks, all of which were well thought out and sincere, and for that I thank you. I’d also like to share some of those comments.

Many of the responses were from freshman, whose cumulative college experience wouldn’t equal a single semester. Their suggestions also showed the matter-of-factness of students without preconceptions or agendas, which is refreshing.

One letter very bluntly asked what we were “bringing to the table” that other newspapers in the region weren’t already delivering. A fair question and one that will continue to haunt the Hornet for some time. As an editor, not many things stuck in my craw more than being scooped by the Sacramento Bee regarding campus issues. And if they weren’t scooping us they were publishing more comprehensive stories.

Granted the Hornet will never carry the same clout. There’s a reason Fred Otis Amey is keeping a player diary with the Bee instead of us, but perhaps more could be done to foster better relationships with the information gatekeepers on campus.

There was also a very telling request for more news photographs. In our multimedia-rich society this is the future – more pictures. Not just snapshots but true photojournalism that can tell a story without forcing readers with tight schedules to read 10 or 15 inches of newsprint to know what happened in the quad on Friday. It is a difficult balancing act during the design of a publication, but all the editors are aware of the importance of intriguing photos on a page.

Another new student asked for a very practical inclusion: tips to help navigate the campus. And although it isn’t Earth shattering news, it’s features like that that transform your paper into a resource, and I see a lot more State Hornets in the trash each week than encyclopedias.

On top of these general thoughts I received many excellent story ideas, all of which have been forwarded to the editorial staff for consideration.

And at the end of the day, those who have the most to benefit from being involved in the student paper spoke up, and they were heard. Unfortunately those of us on our way out are now realizing the magnitude of our missed opportunities. But I can measure my satisfaction in the eagerness of our freshman.

Andy Jensen can be reached at [email protected]