This letter was originally published in Vol. 34, Issue 1 (September 2023)
Hi VanCougs!
My name is Norman Helgason, and I am The VanCougar’s Editor- In-Chief this fall. I am a senior majoring in Strategic Communications and DTC, and I served as a reporter throughout my junior year. We have an amazing team committed to delivering timely, ethical, hard-hitting journalism while maintaining our dedication to raising student voices. I am beyond honored to lead our magazine into the new year.
The VanCougar is devoted to delivering stories that meet the level of journalistic quality and professionalism our readers expect, all while supporting and maintaining our community presence. This year we are producing a column meant to shine a spotlight on our diverse student clubs and organizations, highlighting their contributions to our campus and community.
Low enrollment on campus has negatively impacted many student organizations, and The VanCougar is no exception. This fiscal year, the magazine’s budget has been reduced to roughly half of last year’s amount. This restriction currently affects our ability to hire staff, fill certain positions, and maintain the previous scale of our printing operations. I strongly urge the university to take a moment to assess and recognize the significance of student media in its ability to inform students and amplify their voices throughout our community.
Despite the growing challenges, our campus presence remains strong thanks to the resilience and dedication of our team. Our magazine continues to receive a massive amount of support from Tamara Crooks and Lillian Root from OSI, the Student Media Board, our journalistic advisor, Leonard Reed, and of course all our dedicated readers. Thank you all for your continued support!
The VanCougar is here to make sure your voice is heard. If you have any questions, stories, or thoughts you would like to share, reach out to us at van.vc.editor@wsu.edu. You can find us on Coug Presence, Instagram, and our website at thevancougar.org. To all VanCougs, here’s to another great year!
Go Cougs!
2023 Editor-In-Chief
Norman Helgason
Norman is a senior majoring in Integrated Strategic Communications and Digital Technology & Culture.