Madison Kollar/The Mossy Log
If you are new to The Mossy Log, here is a little introduction. The Mossy Log has existed since its establishment in 1942. Since then, it has won many awards and has strived for the highest standard of ethics, transparency and integrity. Their job has been to inform and challenge the Palatine Hill community. It is all very impressive, right? And now to a more critical matter — do you actually read it?
I did not; at least not at first. I only discovered The Mossy Log at the SEE Fair in my sophomore year. The SEE Fair is one of those events where excitement gets you to sign up for everything — and then promptly forget about most of it. That was my experience with The Mossy Log. Unlike other tables that drew me in with clear pitches or follow-up reminders, The Log felt more like a name on a clipboard — something people knew existed in the background. I had some sense of its role on campus but not strongly enough to feel that I could get involved, and my curiosity never grew beyond that.
In some ways, this reflects a common pattern in many long-standing publications. They start off full of life and endless possibilities and eventually find their footing and place in society. However, with that, sometimes comes the comfort of resting on past accomplishments and inefficacious reasons to stop taking risks. Has The Mossy Log done the same? Is it leaning on its reputation as an award-winning newspaper instead of creating fresh inspiration?
Just so we are clear, this is not a pervasive attack on the individual student staff who work tirelessly to compile and edit articles that uphold the integrity of the paper. They are pillars in expressing the diverse voices of staff, faculty and students that make Lewis & Clark unique. That effort does not go unnoticed. This is more a critique of how the publication could do better with holding its own and standing the test of time. I always take a paper when I see it, and love seeing the staff hand them out every other Friday — it makes me feel like I am in a ’90s film where all the school gossip is delivered free, through a paper. It is a moment that makes me feel connected to the LC community.
That said, The Mossy Log could do better at advertising itself. Many students know it exists, but how many are genuinely excited to read it? I asked a senior friend if she reads it regularly. Her answer? “No.” Did she know about it in her first year? “Only when they handed papers out on Fridays, and I’d take one not to be rude.” This raises the question, would most students walk to the release table if a paper was not directly offered? Probably not.
A more active social media presence and collaboration with other campus offices could make the paper more visible and engaging. For example, I am an avid reader of the Bark newsletter, which I rely on every Monday to stay informed about campus events and opportunities. Yet, I do not recall The Mossy Log being featured there often, despite being one of the main sources of campus news. A simple reminder about upcoming issues in outlets like that could go a long way toward building excitement for readers.
It is true that other factors affect student publications such as low funding, poor readership and one that, in the current political climate, The Mossy Log is fortunate not to suffer from — censorship.
Finally, another factor that we could all address is the lack of appreciation from the LC community. The Mossy Log could celebrate itself more, yes, but the community could also do more to support their friends, roommates, teammates, partners and classmates who are working with an inexhaustible energy to deliver quality news and tell the stories that make LC unique.
If you have gotten this far into this article, do not feel judged if you have not read The Mossy Log before this issue — I never did until my sophomore year. So, from the experience of a once-uninterested reader, I can tell you that it is not just recycled news from The New York Times, BBC or The Oregonian; it has unique sections like The Backdoor with witty, exaggerated stories, or Opinion, where you can read about what other students think about global and local events. It could also be an opinion piece on the replacement actor on your favorite TV show. (I am obviously not referring to “The Witcher.”) And yes, there is even an advice column for advice you did not ask for but could definitely use.
To end what I hope is a sufficient rant, the next time that you see The Mossy Log staff handing out newspapers, walk over and grab one. Read it and, when you are done, share it with your professor as a conversation starter before an uncomfortable office hours meeting. I am merely offering suggestions, but truly, it is a small act that shows that supporting The Log is not just about staying informed; it is also about celebrating the voices that make LC one of a kind.
About the Author
