Issue 1: Seceding from the Union

Granted, we ARE the Union. So just who is seceding? At the beginning of every semester on staff, the war between journalists and those who may be in one of our stories begins. This is because at the beginning, there is always confusion and a disconnect from many things that may have occurred over breaks. It's at this point in time where we realize that the people we did know may not be here anymore. At this point, we have to learn names again, learn the styles of different writers and form new bonds again.

That being said, it's only obvious that it is advantageous for editors to write stories over breaks and continue scrounging through news letters and online updates in preparation for what may happen and what may go wrong. This was proven to me by covering a story about hackers invading MyECC, the portal in which students may regsiter for classes/get unofficial transcripts/use e-mail (which no one uses)/use the library's resources/etc. Apparently, someone managed to infultrate an administrator's laptop, get their personal seal of which they use in their e-mails and send it to people from all around. This, somehow, led to my discovery that the MyECC portal would be redone into something which, administrators hoped, would attract students to use the services (more than they already are) and use the e-mail (which, as I said, they are not).

Why does it matter? Because in any situation which may turn sour at the sound of bad news, it is best to use journalistic efforts to win over some administrators. Of course, this cannot be done with maniacal intent, but it definitely relives the hassle of forcing ideas to generate when you have been hibernating through the duration of winter break. Building a rapport with the source can certainly relieve headaches in the future, because not only do they understand your purpose, but you become familiar with theirs and know when you can go to them for help.

Lastly, while I believe new aesthetics may not be the key to tapping in to the wants of EC students, it is certainly a step in the right direction. After all, as with journalism, we all know people will be turned off to something not pleasing to the eye. Believe you me, the almost-completely-blank space with the little blue links of the MyECC portal is not something I necessarily find fun--albiet, it is easy, but certainly not a pleasure. Perhaps in the years to come, EC will be up to speed and catch up to the digital age. It will certainly attract plenty of students.