My philosophy as editor has always been to remain fair and balanced in every level of our reporting. Sometimes, it is not as apparent as others.

Some organizations and topics appear to receive more publicity than others, but to tell the truth, it's not intentional. We aren't as "plugged in" to certain elements of campus life as we'd like to be.

What happens is that some people believe that they can approach us with news, while others believe that it would be an exercise in futility.

There is not a single topic or author on campus that we are not interested at least learning more about, even if it doesn't make it to print.

I extend this personal invitation to every student organization to take the time to submit at least one press release before the end of the year, and to make a habit of it in the future. If you need help formulating one, we're here to help.

And now for the political rant:

It is a long way from November, but the political scene is heating up.

Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, it is hard to deny how much these elections will shape the coming years. Tennessee's presidential primary is on Tuesday, with a lot of national attention focused on the Volunteer state.

Make every effort to educate yourself about what candidates stand for, and line their beliefs with yours and what you feel is best for the country, Democrat or Republican.

While I personally believe it's time for change, I encourage each of you to make the effort to have your voice heard: VOTE!