Your thoughts wanted here

Welcome to the opinion page. My name is Kristen, and this semester, my assistant Amy and I will be your guides. \nWhile we enjoy the thought of ruling over our desk for the next four months, dictating every stop and issue along the road during our tour of duty, we feel compelled to let you in on a little secret -- you're the ones drawing the map. \nYour feedback and concerns dictate much of what goes into the IDS, and that is especially true in the opinion section. Our job is to make sure that your voice is heard and that your concerns are reflected in the paper. But we can't do this without your help. \nPlease write to us. Let us know what you think. Tell us if you believe there is a missing perspective in our lineup of columnists, or a side of a certain issue that we're not seeing -- we want to get your side. We strive to maintain a staff of diverse opinions and outlooks, and you should consider yourself a part of the staff. After all, our section is always open for the publication of your letters. \nIn fact, this semester we would like to have many letter forums, opening up issues to further campus debate and giving you the chance to let people know where you stand on the issues and why. And, as entertaining as it would be to have Amy and I sit here and make up outrageous letters to the editor each day, I'm pretty sure that management won't let us have letter forums with those. So please help us to make your outlook part of our section and write to letters@indiana.edu.\nStudent Voice is another way to have your opinion heard. Student Voice is a special feature we will be bringing back to the section on a regular basis starting in Thursday's paper. The IDS will be out on campus, asking you what you think about weekly campus, community and world issues. We'll have a photographer to get your mug shot and your answer to our weekly question will appear right here on the opinion page. \nAnother aspect of the opinion page that you can impact is our staff editorials. Every Friday, staff members meet to discuss and vote on the topics of the staff editorials that will appear in the following week's issues. If you know of an issue that you would like us to consider for a staff editorial, write us and let us know. Amy and I will add them to our list and put them in front of the rest of the staff. The IDS takes a stand on many campus, community and national issues and is always looking to write about the topics that are important to you. The more you tell us, the better we can guide the section in the direction that you would like it to go. \nAre you noticing a theme in this column? We're listening. This is your page, and we're waiting to see what you'll do with it.