Q&A

Malcolm Seymour, III is the editorial editor of The Spectrum and will be editor-in-chief for the 1998-99 academic year. A sophomore, he is a member of UB's Distinguished Honors Scholars program, and a native of the state of Washington.

What do you see as the primary role of The Spectrum?

The Spectrum is the fourth estate of UB's political microcosm. Of all UB publications, ours is the most widely read. This leaves us with strong reserve of influence over campus politics. Though journalism is objective in nature, all media retain the inherent power to draw attention to certain issues, while leaving others uncovered. In this manner, The Spectrum and all other news media can actively shape the political agendas of their audiences. Ultimately, however, we strive to abide by ethical standards of journalism-in reporting, we must avoid partisan allegiance and aim to give adequate coverage to all perspectives and all important issues, regardless of our personal biases.

What did you learn as editorial editor?

Readers, at least at UB, consume news media defensively. When an editorial lambastes Pataki's SUNY policies-as our editorials frequently do-and calls for undergraduates to mobilize to oust the governor from his seat, student response, both in action and writing, is weak. Yet when our opinions criticize, even indirectly, the work of university staff or students, reactions are strong, numerous and often angry. I doubt these editorials are any more inaccurate or objectively questionable than our positive pieces, but readers more readily disagree with or acknowledge flaws in our more cynical pieces.

Why do you want to be editor-in-chief?

I aim to attend law school and eventually aspire to ascend to the bench of the United States Supreme Court-and I've found that journalism not only gives me an excellent perspective on the nation's governmental machinery, but also allows me to polish writing skills critical to success in law and other professions. I ran to be editor-in-chief in hopes of fine-tuning my writing technique and further immersing myself in UB's play of power.

How many hours a week will you work as editor-in-chief?

Editors-in-chief frequently spend between 50 and 60 hours a week in the office.

How do a handful of students produce a 12-page newspaper three times a week?

We are blessed with a dedicated staff that recognizes not only the importance of professionalism, but also of community, friendship and relaxation. We compensate for each others' weaknesses and collectively encourage ourselves. Occasionally, we don't escape the confines of our office until the wee hours of the morning, but-by some miracle-we consistently publish three issues a week and maintain our sanity.

What do you want The Spectrum to do next year that it does not do now?

I have visions for a Spectrum magazine, similar to the insert The New York Times places in its Sunday editions. The magazine would be oriented thematically and would feature longer articles, written in essay style, like those in Newsweek or Time.

In an editorial on April 20, The Spectrum criticized Preview Day 1998 as misleading prospective students. What do you think is the most important thing they need to know about UB?

That it is a strong, value-priced school with a proud tradition and excellent learning facilities. UB is geared primarily toward New York students looking for an affordable, second-tier education. It is not a carnival and should not market itself as such.

Why did you decide to come to UB?

I'm convinced that if the school's out-of-state tuition rates were more reasonable and its national advertising policy were more rigorous, it could easily compete for scholars from about the entire country. Ultimately, I opted to attend UB because of a generous four-year full scholarship offered to me by the university's Distinguished Honors Program.

What's it like being one of the few out-of-state undergraduate students at UB?

I have always been perfectly happy with the academic atmosphere of the university, but it was not until this year that I learned to cope with, and even appreciate, Buffalo for what it is. Seattle's intrigue lies in its bustling commerce and thriving arts. Buffalo's strengths reside in the city's people. I cannot deny that ours is an ugly city, but I see a certain beauty to the way communities band together to stave off the adversities posed by Buffalo's grave economic circumstances and brutal climate.

What's something people don't know about you and should know?

For all the attention I receive for my work at The Spectrum, I dedicate a great deal of my time to the theater. I have participated in three of the Theatre and Dance department's shows-"The Grapes of Wrath," "Dummies' Ball" and "Agamemnon"-and am looking forward to doing a 10-minute piece titled "What She Found There" with some friends before I consign myself full time to the newspaper.

What's something people don't know about The Spectrum and should know?

Many UB attendees and faculty members accuse The Spectrum of being too overtly liberal in its editorial positions. Our page-four opinions are constructed from a balance of the voices of all the individual members of our editorial board. We encourage conservative thinkers to regularly submit responses or even work to land an editorship at our paper-our views only seem slanted because few members of the school's conservative constituency have aspired to our ranks.

What question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have answered?

Q: How will you prepare for your tenure as editor-in-chief?

A: Starting May 14th, I'll be spending my summer away from home, toiling in the sweltering bowels of the nation's capitol. I'll be interning with The Buffalo News as an assistant correspondent, gathering quotes, filing papers and leaving the important work to certified reporters. I eagerly await the experience.