It is far too easy to get stuck in a routine.

When groups of students have been publishing a newspaper for half a century, a milestone that the Daily Sundial will celebrate this semester, it is tempting to fall into the familiar when faced with conflicting full-time schedules of both journalism and academia.

The challenge comes when we try to distinguish ourselves from past editors and story angles, a goal we are intent on accomplishing this semester.

We will, as necessary, cover the usual suspects. Inactivity on campus last semester seems to indicate a lack of interest in the plight of the members of the California Faculty Association. After a fight for better pay and benefits that has spanned nearly two years, negotiations are at a standstill. The issue will be seen in these pages as we cover picketing across the state and the looming, far-too-real possibility of a faculty strike.

We also will contribute significant coverage of the actions of the Associated Students, their upcoming election, and the beginnings of the much-needed intercultural council. We will continue to give the community news of crimes on campus that seem to be inconsistently reported by public safety. In today’s issue you will find a story on two recent crimes, about which law enforcement officials have remained vague.

We are eager to step outside the box, however. Ideas are flying fast and furious among the editors as we plan for a semester that will introduce changes in the way we cover the campus.

You will notice more of a news-feature angle in some stories, as we seek out groups and individuals on campus who go largely unreported, despite the valuable services and knowledge they provide. We plan to feature regular profiles of CSUN administrators, A.S. senators, and students who (if you’ll pardon the horrible clich?) are genuinely trying to make a difference.

In the next few weeks, we will kick off two series that are in the planning stages at the moment: One with a focus on finances and the practical horrors of entering a real world that is frighteningly dissimilar to the one that MTV celebrates, and one that will emphasize national and international policies that affect us each day, despite the lack of interest or concern that we see among our peers.

In addition, changes will be made in sections such as opinion and spotlight. More columns in the opinion pages will reflect and coincide with the current news on campus. We will continue to keep spotlight features like the daily calendar and horoscope, but will introduce two weekly columns that have editors excited: a serialized story (if you have ideas, shoot us an e-mail) and a conspiracy corner (if you have ideas, we’re a little frightened and definitely want e-mails). Both of these are indicative of the new Sundial creativity that also will be mirrored in our news coverage.

Even with these changes, it is still our hope to retain the best aspects of the Sundial, such as creative photo essays, interesting reporting and complete coverage of the campus. In order to continue to succeed in these areas, we welcome any criticism of the paper. While we are still students who are learning as best we can to put out a quality publication, we remain aware that the Sundial is by and for the students.