It’s a special day for us down here at The Sun as we bring you the inaugural issue under the direction of the paper’s 127th editorial board. As our predecessors pass the torch, the task is a daunting one. But we have high hopes for the rebirth of the nation’s oldest continuously independent college daily — and we’re more than ready to feed the flame.

The Sun is a constant work in progress. With each spring comes a new board of leaders and innovators who sacrifice their social lives, sleep and sanity for the good of this newspaper. And as we make ourselves at home at 139 W. State St., we will all work to both preserve what makes The Sun the institution that it is, as well as seek out how to keep The Sun shining in what are dark and dismal times.

The print journalism industry has surely seen brighter days. In the coming weeks we may see the death of The San Francisco Chronicle, leaving San Francisco grappling with the fact that it may soon be the largest city in the country without a morning newspaper. As an independent, student-run organization, we too must face the consequences of the fast-paced, ever-changing world of journalism.

The prospect of change excites us, and we are beginning to realize that rather than crouching in fear of what lies ahead, we must jump at the opportunity to reform. And with a yearly turnover of editors, our infrastructure lends itself well to always riding at the forefront of change. New leadership brings fresh ideas to the table, and as we fill the shoes of those before us, we cherish the vitality that comes alongside any initial trepidation.

As evidenced by our masthead, this year our board of editors is the largest it has been to date. The inception of a number of new positions is indicative of the paper’s commitment to grow from a daily print publication into a far-reaching network, allowing more traditional means of coverage to morph into more interactive media.

But enough about us — we’re new at this job and in need of some constructive input from you: our readers. First and foremost, it is our duty to serve as a platform for dialogue, where both the majority and the minority have a fair say. But as we do our part, serving as the watchdog of the University and keeping record of local affairs, we hope you will step up to the task of keeping a critical eye on us.

So please, let us know when we’re not quite on the ball, suggest how we can better call the shots, and if you feel inclined to do so, pat us on the back when you think we’ve got it right. The 127th has a lot in store, but our future success relies largely upon our astute, speculative and devoted readership. We look forward to serving you well.