Put your seat back upright and store your tray table as we prepare for liftoff.
Next week you will see a different version of The Auburn Plainsman, one that hasn't been showcased since 2009.
We will be switching to four six-page sections, giving you a 24-page paper.
While the campus (B) and intrigue (C) sections have gone through this change already, the news (A) and sports (D) sections have not.
Fear not.
It is not our intention to disrupt the ebb and flow of your award-winning collegiate newspaper.
This change is absolutely necessary to combat economic hardships while still maintaining journalistic integrity and tradition.
A large change you will notice will take place on these two pages, the commentary section.
This section will be reduced to one page, eliminating staff columns and the editor column.
While these spaces have the ability to reappear during controversial issues or dire times of soap-box rants, we will dedicate this space to our editorial board issues and commentary from our readers.
All sections will feature the same level of reporting, photography and storytelling, but these things will merely be compressed into a more condensed design and layout.
Page counts have fluctuated through the years, spanning from a massive 40-page paper to the consistent 32-page paper we kept last fall and spring.
Struggling business models and uncertain economic futures are a part of journalism.
They are often overlooked by journalists themselves, but must be addressed at some point in time.
Sept. 13 marked the first day for The Auburn Plainsman's new general manager, Judy Riedl.
Riedl's career experience includes 20 years as general manager of The Oregon Daily Emerald, the independent student newspaper at the University of Oregon.
With extensive past experience, coupled with dedication and enthusiasm, Riedl will begin to reshape the business side.
"I think we are going to build from what we already have," Riedl said, "while continuing to provide a quality newspaper for our readers, University and community."
Without the constant presence of a general manager for the past two years, former Plainsman editors and business managers were often called upon to find solutions to pressing financial issues.
These issues will still be addressed to Tom Hopf, business manager, and myself, but the support available from Riedl and Kim Rape will allow us to use all resources available to find the solutions.
This column is meant to inform and implore.
You've been informed on our current situation, now I implore you to brace with our changes.
Continue reading the paper week after week.
Send in letters, e-mails or stop by our office to rant, complain or praise.
Most of all, don't forget this is your paper.
Take pride in it.
War Eagle.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
