| by Will Reichel PART TWO of THREE: Varying Perceptions The tendency to sensationalize certain issues or events is often linked to these accusations of negative bias. Former Panhel President Sarah Personette feels that many Daily reporters "have a tendency to take any small lead and run away with it.” Wayne Wu, former Chairman of the Asian American Advisory Board, had a single comment about the Daily’s coverage of student life: “It is my experience that the Daily tends to sensationalize in a way that can damage individual students, as well as student groups.” Palmquist begs to differ: “We don’t sensationalize. We’re not the National Inquirer. Printing public information is not sensationalizing.” It’s a fine line. Whether it’s a story about a frustrated student group, a drug arrest, or the notorious police blotter, the Daily has the power and potential to add an extra dose of hype. And that hype can be damaging to students’ perceptions of the school community. On the flip side, another frequent observation suggests that the Daily staff is out of touch with important elements of student life: some things get too much attention, while others are ignored. In addition to “beat” reporting, editors and reporters spend long hours in the newsroom, surrounded by their Daily kin in a journalistic ivory tower. Ironically, that high level of commitment may inhibit a more comprehensive approach to reporting on student life. Jack Doppelt, a Medill professor who teaches the Law and Ethics of Journalism class had this to say: “Clearly, one of the criticisms is that the Daily is this insider’s world, that it’s a clique, like the ones you have in grade school and high school. If that’s accurate, no wonder they’re not covering all kinds of stories. If you’re one of the fringe people, you’re not represented.” Keith Carter, a Medill senior and former president of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. hasn’t seen the interest or commitment required by reporters to accurately understand issues important to black student groups. “The Daily Northwestern could care less about black students and that is a sad state of affairs. There are reporters sent to cover the events dealing with black students, but usually the reporters know squat about the history or background of the event or the people involved.” “If the Daily crew is ‘in,’ then I don’t mind being out,” Xelena Gonzalez says. “If your social circle is comprised only of other people who write for the Daily, then there’s a problem. The paper could do a better job of recruiting reporters/ writers from outside their circle if they ever wish to accurately portray the diversity in students’ cultures, backgrounds, and interests that exists at NU.” Palmquist calls attention to the Daily’s Open Door policy. During his tenure as Editor in Chief, he has encouraged students to walk in and speak their minds: “That door is open from 9 am to 5 am every day.” Nonetheless, there are inherent obstacles with a “user-friendly” Daily. Many students don’t feel comfortable moseying into a busy newsroom. And the Open Door approach isn’t helped by inconsistent levels of student feedback that often make Letters to the Editor a rare commodity. Nor does the “Open Door” dismiss reporters from the responsibility to go forth and gather in-depth information. Casey Newton will take over leadership as Editor in Chief of the Daily in the Spring. In anticipation of the transfer of power, Newton emphasizes that his top priority will be to “increase and improve our recruiting efforts.” He explains that the larger workforce may help facilitate more comprehensive coverage of student issues and events: “As we expand our staff, we become more able to reach out to traditionally neglected segments of the community.” It looks like a step in the right direction. But where is our direction taking us now? Is Northwestern experiencing a crisis of community? In the Spring of 1999, the Office of Student Affairs conducted a survey to gauge students’ attitudes about the Northwestern community. In typical fashion, only 43% of those surveyed actually filled out the forms. Of those who took the time, only 47% said that they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the sense of school community. Vice President Desler notes even more disheartening results: “More discouraging, at least to me, is that only 38% indicated they felt “valued as a person” and only 44% ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that "students care about each other.” It seems a sad commentary on students’ sense of connectedness to the NU network. On to PART THREE of THREE: A Look Ahead >> "There are hundreds of intricate dynamics that contribute to a sense of school community ...." | 
