Hello reader who is undoubtedly getting more sleep than I am right now. As usual, I would like to thank you for opening another issue of The Iron Warrior and reading all the articles we so lovingly prepare for you every couple weeks.
We have a couple features in this issue, so some pages are a little more picture heavy. We have a few photos from Canada Day which we have shared alongside Emily’s synopsis of the day’s celebrations. The event was quite enjoyable and it was heartwarming to see Waterloo students do something kind for the community. The fireworks were quite incredible at the end, but I find myself saying that often since I love seeing them. I would like to thank Emily for her countless hours of assistance this past weekend, and for keeping me mostly sane.
The meat of the centre spread is our article introducing the incoming Dean Sullivan, which was primarily based off an interview we had with her in the week before production. Her thoughts are quite interesting and the things she hopes to accomplish seem ambitious yet doable.
Unfortunately, the outgoing Dean Sedra was rather booked during his last week, so we were unable to interview him, but we have included a feature with photos of his farewell celebration, along with a short recap of some of the things he has looked over and well wishes for the future.
Our Waterloo representatives who attended the Engineering Students Societies’ Council of Ontario Annual General Meeting (ESSCO AGM) appear to have returned in good spirits, as three of the four executives are Waterloo students. I would like to congratulate Michael, David and Leila for their success, as I am certain they will do a fantastic job in the year ahead.
Other than these few large topics, not much has been happening with respect to engineering at Waterloo. Hopefully for the next issue there is a little more for us to report on. However, I hope you still enjoy the content of the issue. The number of hours that went into working on the interview with Dean Sullivan has had a taxing effect on my ability to function during production, so I am hoping that what we have put out is as great as we always aim for.
Something I would like to address is the idea that The Iron Warrior is somehow becoming an enclave for nanotechnology students to band together and fill up a paper of articles tailored to their interests. While it would be cool if we had planned something that slyly, I can assure you that the real explanation for why nano students write so much is not quite as sinister. Yet when even my mom makes the same comment when reading the online edition, I feel it has become something I need to address, as it is something I have had a strong, passionate opinion on since entering this role.
When someone takes on the role of Editor-in-Chief, the success of their term and the method in which they operate the paper relies on multiple factors. From an advertising standpoint, the amount EngSoc opts to donate has an effect on how much else we need to earn in advertising revenue in order to break even at the end of the term. While we do not rely on EngSoc’s donations to fund the paper and its operations, it does provide a relief should advertising not be successful that term, and allows the paper to operate in a more stable fashion. The success in advertising ultimately depends on how many advertisers we get and how much they are willing to put into the paper.
When it comes to the operations of the paper, an editor who lands a term where there are many heavily involved, interested over-achievers will have a much easier time filling the roles required to run the paper smoothly. As an editor operating in the spring term, it is already a little harder to get people who are interested since there are less people on campus.
The advertising manager role is one that an editor ideally must select early, often well before their term begins. This is so they have assistance in getting those crucial first few ads and managing relations with loyal advertisers. In this instance, I sent out requests to past advertising managers, who were either unable or no longer willing to hold the role for whichever reason. Emily, who is a classmate of mine, agreed to take up the role if I struggled to find someone willing to do it. After the first meeting, I had not yet found someone willing to take up the role, and it was convenient to fall on a classmate who I know fairly well to fill the position. She has been an incredible amount of help since then, and I hope she goes on to help future editors in the same fashion.
Roy, as the first nano editor back in fall 2010, found great success in getting his classmates involved, as I am sure many other editors were able to. Whether it is a product of the kinds of people in our program or just that they’re our closer friends, both Roy’s class of 3As and my class of 2Bs have been more than willing to help for the most part if asked. When I’m struggling for more content and most members are not easily accessible, it is easier to contact a friend in the class and ask if they’re willing to do some work for The Iron Warrior, at which point they will usually agree.
While I do not ask my classmates to write all the articles for me, I am usually able to get them to assist in some way. Looking at previous issues, I was able to get Zac to help me with copy editing one weekend so we could work on our lab sooner, Anjali (who is in 3A Nano) came by to do layout when I was in late one weekend and Emily has been known (as she has this weekend) to do some copy editing or quick articles for me if I ask for them.
While this makes it sound like I can only rely on my peers and friends in my program, the purpose of my editorial is to say quite the opposite. There is so much help that I get from engineering students that are not in nanotechnology that I think it often gets overlooked. For example, Nancy, in 2B Civil, has been writing articles upon articles in addition to her Take Five column. Filzah, in 1B Environmental has regular thought-provoking articles which she has submitted this term. Cody, in 1B Electrical, has been in charge of monitoring circulation for me, and goes to all the racks before the next papers go out to see which ones need more. Kevin, a post-4B software student, has been great at getting web-sourced photos for the entertainment articles and for doing copy editing when there is a dire need.
While I could go on, I’m sure you’re starting to see my point. There are many editors and writers in addition to those previously mentioned that have helped out in some way to the paper and it seems unfair to shaft the many other students who assist in the production of the paper in some form. While some people make the joke in a light-hearted manner, that nanos are the only ones really writing for the paper, there is an underlying tone of truth to that statement, or else the joke would not be made so often. The funny thing is, you are the solution to having more of your class represented in the paper.
I have made concerted efforts to bring others into the paper to broaden the diversity of our publication and Iron Warrior community. At each EngSoc meeting, I make a different yet similarly worded plea for new editors, especially in younger years, who can take on a long-term role in the paper to help define the style of the paper during their period of involvement. I truly do mean what I say at each meeting, that engineering students of all programs are welcome to come write. I say it to people who come by and to people who have friends who may show interest. Yet it is easier for some to complain about there being too many of one class than to actually change that, either by submitting articles themselves or finding a classmate who is really into that sort of thing. Perhaps if more people showed as much interest as the people who I have currently involved (nano or not), then they would have a better chance at representation.
If you or a friend are interested in helping out with the paper, come to any meetings we have or email me at iwarrior@engmail.uwaterloo.ca to get on the mailing list or just to ask me questions. I am always open to comments, suggestions, criticism, endless praise and love letters, so do not hesistate to contact me if you desire to do so!
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