EDITORIAL: `CAMPANILE'

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For the fourth time in two years, no candidate has filed for the position of Campanile editor and for the second time in as many years, the 80-year-old tradition that chronicles student life at this university is in danger of dying.

The Campanile is a showcase of student life at Rice. It is one of the few permanent artifacts that we will leave the university after we graduate. Its significance goes far beyond that of a mere record of the history of a year: In its finest form, the Campanile captures the student spirit in a portable and lasting package. If you doubt this, spend just half an hour in the Woodson Research Center in Fondren Library browsing through the Campanile s since 1916 and you will be amazed.

Why has no student come forward to edit the 1997 yearbook? Simply put: It's a heck of a lot of work. However, Rice students have never been shy to taking on big projects. The Campanile should be no different.

There may be a perception problem here. It seems evident that the yearbook and its editor are held in low esteem when compared to their counterparts in other student organizations. Yet, how many Rice graduates remember what the Student Association, Rice Program Council or Honor Council did while they were undergraduates? Unless they were part of one of those organizations, probably not many, though most Rice alumni treasure their yearbooks.

What can we do? First, if every Rice student would take just two minutes of his time this weekend to thank the current Campanile editor Andy Burmeister, their college editor or a Campanile photographer for his or her contribution just maybe our collective words of encouragement will persuade enough people to continue to work on the book.

Just as important, everyone can make a contribution. If you have ideas, insights and can make time for a good cause, you will be heartily welcomed by the Campanile and her staff.

Today we live our memories. Many Rice grads remember their college years as the best of their lives. Like their times, our time here deserves to be remembered and cherished: If we do our part in keeping alive Rice's flagship publication, it will return the favor as the custodian of our history. Let's get to it.

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the March 15, 1996 issue.

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