Editorial: SMCR does not stand for Smart Media Card Reader

In communication studies classes, students are taught a basic structure of communication that consists of source, message, channel and receiver. Another element of this basic structure is noise, or interference, between sending a clear message from the sender to the receiver.

One result of the digital age is that maintaining a stable channel for communication can be complicated, interfering with the completion of basic tasks, from retrieving PowerPoint presentations from a server for class to printing papers in the library, watching YouTube videos or even piecing together the latest newspaper for publication.

Since the establishment of the new Fiat Lux website, our whole workflow has changed, eliminating an entire day that the staff must spend in the newspaper office by allowing writers to submit stories and for editors to edit those stories directly online.

The Fiat Lux, however, is limited by relying on the stability of a connection, or channel, as are all similar forms of communications technologies. In this case, the connection that we must rely on is to a server computer that resides somewhere in eastern California.

During this production weekend that server computer failed us, causing us to lose several crucial hours.

Reliable communication, of both technical and other varieties, is not always possible, because there’s always noise.

We think that one thing that needs improvement campus-wide is clearer internal communication, from both the sending and receiving ends.

Last semester, administrators announced and attempted to explain the reasons for cuts to programs across campus, but there was a lot of confusion.

In the technical world, any time a communications system fails, the next logical step is to troubleshoot, or to locate the problem and repair it.

During this complex budgetary situation, the Fiat Lux has worked hard to be a mediating entity that can help to eliminate some assumptions and reduce confusion, or noise, so that clearer communication between faculty, students and administration can occur.

With that said, we could list countless schools who are struggling with budget issues right now and are going through similar processes as AU, whether it be St. Bonaventure University or SUNY Geneseo. This is the reality that institutions of higher education are facing right now.

The invitation for open communication has been made available at AU, but has not been used extensively since students returned to campus.

Students shouldn't miss the opportunity to be a constructive part of this process. If something like this is being talked about at Student Senate, participate in the discussion. Ask questions. If the University president is available once a month to talk about pretty much anything you would like to know, accept the invitation and ask questions.

It’s the first step toward understanding.