I’d like to apologize to every reader who reaches for a copy of The Diamondback this year, only to find an empty newsstand.

You see, starting with today’s newspaper, we are publishing 500 fewer copies of the city and university’s sole source of daily news. As The Diamondback grapples with declining advertisement revenues that relentlessly rattle the entire journalism industry, we’ve lowered our circulation to help balance our budget.

This trend pains me on two fronts. As a journalism major, I have had to watch layoffs and buyouts gut the industry I revere and aspire to enter. As your editor in chief, I have had to begrudgingly accept the idea that our print readers will have fewer opportunities to gather the information I consider vital to the campus community.

Such difficult times force media outlets to innovate, consolidate and, perhaps most of all, compensate by bringing you hard-hitting coverage in more compelling formats. At The Diamondback, we are pushing more than ever to expand our multimedia offerings and improve the accessibility of the newspaper online. Don’t expect an overnight revamp of www.diamondbackonline.com, but throughout the year, a growing emphasis will be placed on our website.

Though it may seem outdated in today’s Internet age, we will also continue to improve the look of our print newspaper. After all, many of our on-campus readers still gather their news – and, of course, the Sudoku and crossword – from the print version of The Diamondback. You’ll already notice some changes, primarily in the Opinion and Diversions sections, but more tweaks are on the way. Bear with us as we work to improve the newspaper’s aesthetics, and please send us your feedback. We are your newspaper, and your opinion matters.

Finally, our largest push will be to bolster the portion of The Diamondback that transcends both mediums: our content. As newspapers nationwide shrink in size, it’s more important than ever that remaining content is insightful and relevant. Through dogged reporting, we plan to not only uncover the news, but also highlight its impact on your daily life.

Take time to read, on page one, the first installment in a series about the role college students play in the 2008 presidential election, and how its outcome will impact our generation for years to come. As our nation stands poised to elect either a black man as president or a woman as vice president, it is imperative that we realize our place in this historic event.

Consider this series an example of what we strive for in every story: a clear and concise explanation of how the happenings in our region, nation and world affect you. And when that relevance isn’t accomplished in the News section, turn right here to Opinion, where our daily staff editorial will dissect the news and offer commentary.

The Diamondback is far from a solitary effort, and dozens of students ensure the news makes it to readers each day. I am proud to sit at the helm of that effort, and I am honored to serve as your editor in chief.

Steven Overly is The Diamondback’s editor in chief. He can be reached at overlydbk@gmail.com.