Oh, hello. I didn’t see you come in. Welcome, new and returning students alike, to the Iowa State Daily’s opinion section! We’re eager to make your acquaintance, and we hope you enjoy our services throughout the upcoming semester. I’m Sophie Prell, and I’ll be serving as your opinion editor.

Take that last sentence to heart, because I mean it literally. The opinion section, just like the rest of the Daily, is yours to direct and critique. We are here to serve you, the ISU student body.

We try to encompass a broad array of viewpoints, be they conservative, liberal or something else entirely. The columnists and I aim to stimulate your minds, lead community discourse and influence conversations as we tailor ourselves to your needs.

There is, as with anything, a catch. You see, we’ll be needing your help.

We want you to comment, write letters and send us ideas of topics you want covered. Heck, even — respectfully, of course — scream and complain when a column upsets you. A theory holds that it is better to be outraged than to be complacent.

Welcome to the opinion section. May you find everything you need during your stay.

We are, after all, at your service.

– Sophie Prell is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Alta, Iowa.