From the editor’s desk: adopt our newspaper please

The Accent Newspaper is like a child to me. I have worked here in a number of roles over the past three years and have watched first hand how the paper grew better and better each semester. I care deeply about Accent, but its really hard to understand why we do not have an adviser yet.

In September, the position was offered to someone, but they declined.

Next, the Office of Student Life conducted another interview process and chose someone else and the Accent staff was excited to hear that a new adviser was finally hired and slated to begin working with us on Nov. 1.

Bad news. They called the day before their first day and said that they accepted another position somewhere else and won't be working for Accent anymore.

This is really depressing. I'm struggling to figure out why we are having such a hard time finding an adviser given that we are an award winning newspaper with a very dedicated editorial staff.

I am beyond proud of the work that my fellow editors, volunteer writers, photographers and designers, and I have accomplished this semester. I couldn't ask for a better staff to work with, but having them all look up to me for guidance is a difficult pill to swallow.

As much as I love my job and getting to know the ACC community so well, I hate being in the limelight.

I want to tell other people's stories, not my own. That's why I chose to work in journalism. Giving Accent readers the news that is important to them is my priority, not adding clips to my portfolio or getting stuck sending emails all day reminding staff members to fill out paperwork.

Helping new writers learn the ropes is always an amazing feeling and I love sharing my limited knowledge, but I still need help too and that's where the role of an adviser would kick in.

From what I'm told if someone is hired and actually accepts the position in the next round of interviews, we should expect a new adviser by December.

Dec. 6 is the date of our last issue of the semester and the last issue that I will be acting editor-in-chief of. So getting  a new adviser this late in the semester is just a moot point from my point of view. Sure, they will be able to be prepared for next semester, but what about what is happening now? In addition to needing a new advisor, we will be needing new editors for the spring semester as well. Look for an announcement on our Facebook page at facebook. com/accentnewspaper in the next few weeks with job postings for editor positions.

Guiding the Accent during this semester has been a rollercoaster ride. Its been overwhelming, exciting and depressing all at the same time but its worthwhile. I have met some amazing people through this newspaper and have learned so much.

The current editorial staff that we have for Accent has given their all to help this newspaper live up to its award- winning status.

My only hope this semester is that I achieve my main goal of passing along my knowledge and helping new staff members and editors improve their own work.

The other day someone in our newsroom mentioned that the Accent is like one of those kids just waiting to be adopted. We keep saying ‘Pick me! Pick me!' in hopes that some will do just that.

Well think of this column as Accent's sad puppy eyes because even though we are currently staying afloat, we need a reliable, full time leader to help guide us.