<p>I was wondering what students, parents, alums and other interested parties think of either or both of these publications? I don't know that much about their histories and reputations among those who read them or have been following them for awhile?</p>
<p>The Phoenix has been published since the 1880s, I think. The Daily Gazette only since the 1990s is my guess, although I could be completely off base on that. It seems to be definitely a creature of the web/internet.</p>
<p>As to reputation, these are published by students at a small liberal arts college. So the standard of reporting is not the New York Times, nor probably even that of The Daily Bruin. They just don't have the time or the staff. But they probably do offer an insight into life and opinion on campus. Just don't assume that everything you read is the entire story. And there is usually an April Fool's issue of the Phoenix that should not be taken literally.</p>
<p>There's also an April Fool's issue of the Gazette, though I admit I didn't quite realize that last year til I read that Sunday dinner was comprised solely of scrapple and wedding cake.</p>
<p>I think the Phoenix is pretty good, especially considering that it publishes every week, like clockwork, after being nearly defunct not that long ago. The reporters tend to get some of the story, at least the part that somebody will tell them. I'm sometimes amazed that they can print some of the stuff with a straight face -- like the cockamamie story that the frat boy arrested the other night got cut beating his own head into a tree. I suspect the tree did play a role, but I think some DU boys probably assisted. But, what can the Phoenix do when two dozen frat boy Eddie Haskells are standing there polishing their halos and assuring everyone that they were all reading Plato and sipping tea that night. Everyone on campus knows that there was an anticipated Phi Psi/DU donnybrook that night (over a purloined case of beer the previous week), but the Phoenix can only print what a source will tell them.</p>
<p>The Op-Ed pieces are varied and sometimes pretty interesting. The paper is not a "mouthpiece" for the administration, which is a plus.</p>
<p>The Gazette is a labor of love. I'd hate to be the one to publish at dawn every morning. Expectedly, it varies in quality, but has some interesting stuff from time to time.</p>
<p>Since you ask, Collegialmom, the current issue is well written and highlights some of the struggles the college is going through with its alcohol policy, the abuse of alcohol by students, and a recent arrest of a drunk student.</p>
<p>Thank you interesteddad, I appreciate the effort that the students put into these publications. </p>
<p>I guess the only problem with the honesty of the Phoenix is that the omnipresent kellymegreener can use a Swarthmore publication on various forums to point out his or her perceived deficiencies of Swarthmore. I am tending to believe that he or she (kellymegreener) was either kicked out of Swarthmore or is a disgruntled ex-employee. Otherwise, why the interest in concentrating solely on Swarthmore's perceived shortcomings, and hiding behind the story of a 2 day weekend visit that made him or her obseesed with Swarthmore?</p>
<p>Very strange. Doubt the Yale story, the gentleman or woman has absolutely no interest in Yale...</p>
<p>I agree with you collegialmom re something being not quite right with kelly's posts. On the Yale forum she posted that she was accepted and taunted that she was a 'legacy' but nothing about herself. Seems to me she was trying to push some buttons there too and I doubt she was accepted.</p>
<p>Daily Gazette-posted daily (obviously), sent via email, contains a few articles, but usually has announcements about daily happenings (which is quite useful) at Swat, and weather info. </p>
<p>Phoenix-comes out on Thursdays, more articles (the accuracy of which are sometimes in question). Lots of editorials, and like ID said, it's not really regulated by the admin, so any opinion and every opinion can be expressed in there . . .sometimes ad nauseum, but fun to read nonetheless.</p>
<p>But, both are good, and serve different purposes. And yes, about KMG's posts, I find myself wondering if she's ever actually been to swat or not.</p>
<p>I suspect she did get into Yale; she was candid saying she was a legacy, hardly a taunt. Just because she pushes your buttons doesn't mean she is a fake. Maybe she just has a tiny screw loose or is terribly bored or immature. She does seem to have some bug about Swarthmore. Perhaps she will enlighten us/herself or even say some nice things about the school!</p>
<p>"Perhaps she will enlighten us/herself or even say some nice things about the school!" </p>
<p>I don't see why anyone, after a supposed 2 day weekend visit last year will have anything new to say. I think it would be very unusual for any high school senior accepted to an Ivy ED to totally drop any identification with that school on this website, and instead make it a point to bring up any controversial items about another school for such an extended period of time. </p>
<p>I would identify her more as an adult, esp with her comments comparing dorms to Motel 6s. Most 3rd generation 17 yo Yale legacies from NYC would not have experienced a Motel 6, as another poster pointed out when "Kellymegreener" mentioned Motel 6.</p>
<p>I think he or she is the classic "troll" who either has an ax to grind with a particular school, or may just be someone who likes to be annoying. If he or she could possibly be a HS senior, this is very unusual behavior. I have not seen other teenagers care so much about trying to annoy people to this level on CC, and that is why an adult with an ax to grind is more consistent with these posts. </p>
<p>Check out other HS seniors who get accepted to Ivies, or any school they have chosen so highly per ED; this is not a pattern generally exhibited. I do not post on websites except this one, and therefore someone such as the person in question stands out to me on a website where generally I have noticed people to be mature and congenial. This includes the many teenagers and young adults who as a group are usually compassionate, helpful and positive, and remain well-balanced even when being critical. As a whole, the Swarthmore board has been this way, with some exceptions recently. </p>
<p>In particular, I have found it very helpful for facts and opinions by students and parents who have a real, extended and meaningful affiliation with the school. That is why I started this thread, to see if there was an "inside story" about the publications. The answers that speak to that have been helpful.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I suspect she did get into Yale; she was candid saying she was a legacy, hardly a taunt
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree. To post on the Yale site and say 'nothing' but that you were accepted and a legacy is an attempt to start something. 'Legacy' is a hot button in schools like Yale. She never went back and joined in the posts with the other accepted students. That's her one and only post on the Yale site. Doesn't make sense.</p>
<p>That kind of flippant post that kellymegreener made on the Yale ED thread makes a mockery of the others who put so much into getting accepted. Unless someone's parents are very much megadonors (as in millions of $$), the Ivies often will use legacy as a tipping point, not an absolute. </p>
<p>I don't remember when I've seen another poster get an Ivy ED decision, ascribe it to "legacy" and then never post again on that website, instead skipping to posting about another school that he or she did not like, and with which s/he has a casual relationship at most.</p>
<p>Andi is right, the "I got accepted, I'm a legacy, good-bye" really is not the norm. </p>
<p>It could be seen as provocative and hurtful by those who had strong apps and were rejected or deferred. A Yale ED acceptance is not an afterthought.</p>
<p>My son used to work for the Phoenix last year. This year, he has other activities on his list. But the comments of Taru Taylor turned him off quite a bit. Plus he did not like his editor for whom he worked.. In any case, this is his INDIVIDUAL view and not a commentary on the Phoenix. My son agrees with Interesteddad that they don't get it right at times. I just want to point this out.....trying to be fair and balanced.</p>
<p>Who is Taru Taylor?</p>
<p>Taru Taylor was an outlandish editorial writer for the Phoenix who wrote controversial and often inflamatory commentaries that some on campus viewed as racist.</p>
<p>I think that the campus community's view of Mr. Taylor's literary efforts was probably best indicated by the fact that the selection committee last year opted to not award the annual prize for the most accomplished African American writer on campus. Given Mr. Taylor's prolific output over the course of his Swarthmore career, the unusual non-awarding of the prize was viewed as a subtle, Quaker-esque commentary. BTW, I believe the selection committee is comprised largely, if not entirely, of African American students and faculty.</p>
<p>Personally, I enjoy reading the student op-ed pieces in the Phoenix quite a bit. They vary quite a bit and I often don't agree with the writers. However, I think the commentaries often demonstrate quite nuanced views. For example, I thought the recent op-ed piece by two Asian American students on "being Asian" was excellent.</p>
<p>Thanks achat and interesteddad, I've been reading both publications, but hadn't thought of checking out the op-ed pieces, and will start doing so.</p>