Our college chronicle

On June 14, 1876, eight Princeton students began publishing a newspaper called The Princetonian. In their very first issue, the students described the newspaper as "our college chronicle," a publication whose "columns will be open to the discussion of all questions of importance to our college community." In short, the students pledged that "The Princetonian shall be not unworthy of Princeton College."

Theirs is the same mission that we, the 130th managing board, are committed to advancing for the newspaper that we love. We recognize, however, that it is not enough to preserve our traditions, for that is merely our obligation. Rather, we hope to seize the opportunities ahead of us and challenge ourselves. We hope to show that on our watch the 'Prince' was bold, the 'Prince' stretched itself and, yes, the 'Prince' got better.

All of us who work at the paper — more than 100 students — are in the service of the University and its students, faculty, alumni, staff and broader community. We believe that we cannot be satisfied with the way things are at Princeton because they can always be improved. We want to find the policies, practices and traditions that don't make sense. We want to expose injustices. The priority for the editors of this paper is to ensure that the power of truth on our front page and the power of persuasion on this page are put to good use.

To be successful in this endeavor, we need you to show us the wrongs. We understand that our business must be an interactive process, and we will work hard to reach out to all the various University communities in fulfilling our mission. We ask that you exploit this paper as a tool to engage your fellow Princetonians. We hope you will join us in this mission and truly make this paper your own.

But even as we hold ourselves to these ambitious and sometimes abstract goals, we strive to provide down-to-earth, day-to-day newspaper coverage that is compelling, intelligent and informative. And we will work diligently to make progress in these areas as well, whether the story is a lecture at the Wilson School, a profile of a student athlete or a review of a dance performance.

And so, as our colleagues asked of their readership more than 100 years ago, we ask of you: "Give us your support in our beginning. We wish to move well from the start."