By Andrea Milne
Well, another “Bi-Co Boot Camp” has come and gone. While this, my last Boot Camp, certainly left me feeling old, it also gave me great hope that The Bi-College News – unlike many clubs and newspapers at colleges around the country – might have a shot at maintaining some continuity over the years. The freshmen this year certainly seem enthusiastic enough to take over the paper, and I for one would love to see that happen.
I want to say a huge thanks to the Editorial Board for all their help pulling this event together, to Yoni Greenbaum for perhaps the most entertaining speech in Boot Camp history, and a very special thanks to Isabel Clark, for stepping up big time when The Bi-Co News needed her (she chauffeured Haverfordians when the bus didn’t show up, bought all the plates for pizza without being asked, and she let me eat her Features section candy when I got stressed). This event is a team undertaking, and you all collectively came in big for the freshmen, so thank you.
Before I reminisce any further, I want to make sure anybody reading this post who couldn’t make it to our lovely initiation ritual knows that they’re still welcome to join the newspaper. All you need to do is email me, or the section editor you want to work with, and start coming to weekly meetings.
Now, a few brief observations from behind the podium:
• Despite the numerous logistical hiccups (the non-existent bus from Haverford, room confusion and the like), I think we succeeded in having a good deal of fun. That seems like a minor accomplishment, but considering the kind of absurd orientation and proving rituals you would encounter trying to join comparable college publications, it’s actually something we take pretty seriously. Fun is important – and the product we put out is better because of it.
• It was really interesting to see how many folks were interested in joining the layout staff. Maybe I’m forgetting things in my old age, but I don’t remember ever seeing so many people interested in the tech side of The Bi-College News. Maybe it’s a sign of the times.
• Pepperoni pizza was nowhere near as popular as cheese.
• Ryan Mulligan’s speech about the benefits of writing for Sports was pretty sweet.
Do you have thoughts about Boot Camp that you’d like to share with me? Complete this quick survey!
Off the Record is meant to give you a glance into the newsroom. From policy, to ed board conversations, to the comments we get from our readers, this blog will cover it all. Questions, comments, or suggestions can be emailed to amilne@brynmawr.edu. For more Off the Record posts, click here.
This article is © 2008 The Bi-College News. The material on this page is free for personal or educational use, but may not be reproduced, reprinted, republished, redistributed, or otherwise transmitted to a third party without the express written permission of The Bi-College News, 370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041.
Editor's note: Articles that appear in the Last Word section are works of satire.
- Off the Record: Bi-Co Boot Camp
- Off the Record: On ACB
- Off the Record: The “Welcome Back” Issue
- Off the Record: On Writing Assignments
- Off the Record: On Paying Writers
- Off the Record: On Recruiting Writers of Color
- Off the Record: On Climbing the Ladder
- Off the Record: On Conflicts of Interest
- Off the Record: The Athlete of the Week
- Off the Record: On Visibility
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