I believe that The Stanford Daily’s readers are better served the more they understand about how the paper operates. In my three years as an editor at The Daily, I have noticed that the editorial board is one of the least-understood facets of the paper. Even our own staff members are not always clear on the editorial board’s role. The following is intended to explain what the editorial board is, what it does and why it exists.

Will Oremus

Editor in Chief, Volume 226

The Stanford Daily

About The Daily’s editorial board

At The Stanford Daily, our news department informs readers about issues and events without taking sides or pushing an agenda. Our news reporters strive to discover the truth and convey it clearly, but often they instead discover two or more competing versions of the truth, each with legitimate evidence to support it. In these cases, they do their best to present a fair picture of each side of the story, regardless of their own opinions.

Sometimes this is enough for readers to make up their own minds. But other times readers may want more interpretation of the news or more guidance as to which of several conflicting arguments is the most compelling. It is with these readers in mind that The Daily’s editorial board writes its editorials, researching a given topic and then expressing its informed views about who is right, what policies would most benefit the University and its students, or what should be done to make things better.

The Daily’s editorial board is separate from the news department. The board is led by the managing editor of opinions, and also includes the two opinions editors and several editorial writers from diverse backgrounds — none of whom is involved with the paper’s news coverage in any way.

The only person involved with the paper’s news coverage who sits on the editorial board is the editor in chief, who according to The Daily’s bylaws has final say over everything that goes into the paper. However, on the editorial board, he is a non-voting member; he may offer advice and guidance and contribute to discussions, but he does not write any editorials and generally avoids trying to shape the board’s stances.

The reason for the division between news and opinions is so that our news editors and writers do not have to take sides on controversial issues. Their only goal is to inform, not to persuade. If they were asked to do both, it could present a conflict of interest for them and could undermine their credibility in the eyes of readers.

As for members of the editorial board: Although they inevitably have their own agendas and biases, they are expected to participate in the decision-making and editorial-writing process with the best interest of the broader Stanford community in mind. The board makes its decisions by consensus whenever possible, and by majority rule when necessary. Occasionally a member may write a signed dissenting editorial on a particularly divisive issue.

In an effort to understand and advocate for the needs of all segments of the student body, the opinions department selects its editorial board members with an eye toward diversity — both cultural and ideological — as well as reporting ability and knowledge of the campus and its inner workings.

Apply to join the editorial board

The Daily’s editorial board is currently seeking new members. Anyone affiliated with Stanford may apply to be on the board, and the opinions department will select two to four applicants from various backgrounds who demonstrate strong writing ability, a concern for the welfare of the student body, and knowledge of the workings of the administration or of student organizations. E-mail

opinions@daily.stanford.edu if you are interested.