"One-hundred ten years of editorial freedom." The Michigan Daily cherishes this phrase it encompasses the Daily"s independence from the University, its freedom to explore any issue, to publish any story and run any viewpoint, without fear of censure.

But times were different more than 50 years ago. Instead of celebrating its editorial freedom, the slogan "Latest deadline in the state," graced the top of the front page. Back then, the editorial page was highly scrutinized. During the 1950s, it was not uncommon for FBI agents to lurk around the Daily"s offices at 420 Maynard St., paging through past issues, looking to see who published opinions that lay outside of what some deemed to be inappropriate for publication. Back then, staff editorials had to be signed by the writer and the Daily, as a newspaper, was restricted from taking political views. The FBI started files on many Daily writers University administrators too kept a close eye on what Daily writers wrote.

Although the Board in Control of Student Publications, then the Daily"s overseeing body, aimed to keep the newspaper from becoming too political by prohibiting staff editorials, the editorial page and the Daily as a whole, found a way to assert their freedom. Through the turbulent 1960s, pointed commentary and opinionated analysis defined the Daily. There was no way to restrain the campus" top student publication. The views of the campus and the Daily staff would be heard.

In 1969, the University, via the Board granted the editorial page total independence. Since then, the Daily has run unsigned editorials and thus speaks as an entity in a singular voice rather than an as an individual or group of individuals.

Although the editorial page is reintroduced today with a slightly new look, the traditions of the editors and writers who came before us remain intact. As the stewards of the Daily"s editorial page for the next year, our primary duty is to ensure the Daily"s editorial voice retains consistency not just during our term, but with past years as well.

What the Daily writes, then, may contradict even the most profound convictions of individual staffers and/or editors. The spirit of 110 years of editorial precedent guides every decision made by the Daily"s editorial board. This is why the Daily will always support, for example, a woman"s right to choose what she does with her own body, responsible student activism, equal access to education and the right of even the most despicable individual to express his or her opinions.

But the editorial page is more than simply a place for the Daily to express its opinion, it is a forum for individuals and groups to broadcast to the entire University community their own views in the form of columns, letters and "viewpoints." Since the Daily"s editorial page is the only widely read medium for students, faculty, staff and alumni to exchange ideas, we also have a secondary duty to let all sides of a particular argument to be heard.

We take our editorial responsibilities seriously and look forward to hearing from our readers during the next year.

Michael Grass

Nicholas Woomer

Editorial Page Editors