Last Monday, the DP held its first "Open Forum," giving you, the reader, a chance to directly tell us what you think about how we're doing. Despite the relatively modest turnout in last week's "Open Forum," it was a pleasure to speak with students one on one to learn what the DP can do to improve its coverage and build trust within the Penn community.
I spoke with students about our recent articles on the Greek scene. It has come to my attention not only through our "Open Forum," but also through members of the Greek community, that many students feel that our coverage of fraternities and sororities has been insensitive.
The mistrust this community feels toward the DP after our recent coverage of the rush process is completely understandable. Nevertheless, I don't want a few isolated occurrences to damage our relationship with the Greek community.
Contrary to popular belief, the DP is not out to get the Greek community in trouble.
In order for us to improve our coverage, though, it is a must that fraternities and sororities make themselves more available to the DP.
Because students in fraternities and sororities make up such a large portion of the student body, it is important that we cover them just like any other student group.
Oftentimes our reporters are prohibited from interacting with the Greek community, and are only able to get quotes off the record, causing our coverage to suffer.
Over the coming semester, I would like to repair this relationship. If you don't think our coverage is fair, please let us know. We want to hear what you think.
"Open Forum" isn't the only opportunity to have your voice heard. We are planning several focus groups, where we will ask Penn students for their opinion on certain changes we are considering for the paper.
Immediately following spring break, we would like to host three focus groups: two for undergraduates and one for graduate students. Each focus group will consist of ten students who will be compensated for their time. We will have tables set up on Locust Walk in the weeks preceding the focus groups with sign up sheets for students who are interested in participating.
Topics we will be discussing in these focus groups include content-based issues and a possible redesign of the front page of the paper, as well as our general image on campus.
Whether or not you participate in an "Open Forum" or one of our focus groups, the fact remains that we genuinely want to hear what you have to say.
Shawn Safvi, Executive Editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian, is a Wharton junior from Chapel Hill, N.C. His e-mail is safvi@dailypennsylvanian.com.
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