The Trail has received various notes regarding the lead story of the 11/08 issue, “University Investigates Alleged Mishandling of University Torah.” As reported in the corrections of this issue, The Trail recognizes the factual errors in the piece. Per The Trail’s policy, these are corrected in the follow-up issue. The Trail is working with the appropriate groups to rectify any harm caused, including the potential for further coverage. I recognize the frustration caused by the article. The factual issues notwithstanding, I continue to fully stand behind the intention and reporting in the piece. Regardless, The Trail’s process should have been more thorough. It should have included comments from the University Archives and Special Collections team.
I will be the first to admit that there is always room for improvement in our reporting and editorial processes. I believe that every single article published during my tenure as Editor-in-Chief could have benefited from more time, attention, sources and editing. As I often remind reporters and editors, we are a team of student journalists. Not only are our reporters doing real journalism, but they are full-time students, many of whom work other jobs as well. Without a journalism department/professor support, we are learning the difficult ropes of the trade in real time; it is inevitable that errors will occur. But, when our process works as designed and missteps are brought to our attention they can be translated into future opportunities for our team. In the spirit of this goal, we continue to ask and expect a certain level of grace and respect to be extended to our reporters and editors — even if they make a mistake.
At the same time, I continue to encourage meaningful feedback from all parts of our community. It is respectful feedback and community responses — in the form of Letters to the Editor or otherwise — that enable us to continue building trustworthy, transparent student media. Feedback, comments or concerns can be directed to the Editor-in-Chief (trail@pugetsound.edu) or The Trail’s faculty adviser (Meghan Reese, mareese@pugetsound.edu).
Andrew Benoit (‘25), Editor-in-Chief of The Trail