Understanding the Constants
Amidst stacks of weeks-old papers, endless scraps of paper on corkboard and mountains of copy strewn about the office, my quest was to find one piece of tape. Unsuccessful, I wondered how this paper managed to survive for 114 years.
The answer is the constants. Most alumni remember the same green crescent copy desk. The framed proof of the first issue still watches over the newsroom, reminding us we still work for the same reasons that you did.
The furious pace of change these past few years has not affected these constants; a testament to the strength of this institution. While we still have wax tablets in our (tapeless) supply room, we also have received computers comparable to the best a modern newspaper could offer.
Unfortunately, another constant is the frustration in producing the Cardinal. Computers and design stations had been in such a state of repair that I remember staffers fanning the copy desk computer so it would not overheat.
Sometimes I look longingly at those wax tablets, though I must admit I have no idea how to use them.
Our latest upgrade, funded by the DCAA this summer, has simplified and improved producing the paper. We received new computers; upgraded existing ones; and deployed Adobe InDesign, the rising industry standard, replacing a nine-year-old version of QuarkXPress.
This upgrade came just in time. National election coverage will be the focus of the first semester. The Cardinal covered the Republican National Convention and Cardinal reporters will cover the presidential debate in St. Louis this fall. Being in a "swing state," the Cardinal will cover plenty of candidate appearances.
I can report the Cardinal turns a consistent profit each semester and that both our audience and content are increasing.
Thanks to our constants--tradition and continuity--we continue to thrive and make the paper a more exciting place to be.
Web site provides additional ways to help DCAA, Cardinal
Though it may not be the part we like to discuss, there are financial needs to address: mailings, events and the web site, to name a few. We prefer not to go hat-in-hand constantly. Sometimes giving is not always possible.
To meet our objectives of helping the Cardinal and keeping alumni talking, we have developed the web site with many features designed to help you help us with our annual costs in simple, convenient ways:
Advertising. When using the portal, click on the ads that interest you. Every click helps pay for the web hosting costs. If you are interested in placing an ad on the web portal, please send us an email at ads@dailycardinal.net.
DCAA Store. If you never got your own Cardinal memorabilia as a staffer, come to our store and get it now! Shirts, jerseys, caps, hats and bags are now available. If there is something else you want to buy that we do not currently offer, email us at store@dailycardinal.net.
Amazon Store. If you shop online through Amazon.com, come to dailycardinal.net instead! We have an affiliate store that offers everything Amazon offers. We highlight the work of Cardinal alumni on the portal.
A percentage of your purchases on either store goes to help the DCAA.
Dues online. If you like, you can pay your annual dues online. It is simple and secure. Options for single and multi-year membership are available.
Donations online. To those who have considered donating, we look to make it easier online.
PayPal handles and secures all transactions on the web portal. Owned by eBay, PayPal is used throughout the web to safely make transactions every day.
DCAA introduces new Board
The DCAA set six goals for 2004 this February. These centered around membership, fundraising, communications and improving management.