Tabs on NU events, lifestyle

For some University of Nebraskan-Lincoln students, the Daily Nebraskan is often taken for granted. The student newspaper is always nearby, always free and always an easy target. But what many UNL students don't realize is that the Daily Nebraskan is one of students' few outlets to ask their questions or express their comments and concerns.The Daily Nebraskan, or "the DN" as it is often referred as, is a student-run newspaper that publishes five days a week throughout the fall and spring semesters. The Daily Nebraskan is not only the only daily college paper in the state, but is also the fifth largest paper (by circulation) in the state.Jenna Johnson, editor-in-chief of the Daily Nebraskan for the 2006-07 school year said that while many Nebraska papers try to cover university issues, the Daily Nebraskan is the only paper that covers the university on a daily basis."It's pretty much your daily textbook to the university," she said.Johnson went on to say that reading the Daily Nebraskan is the best way to be informed about what's going on, so that one can actually be a part of the university.She also said that in order for the Daily Nebraskan to be the best paper that it can be, it needs the help of the student body."Let us know what you're upset about or if you have any ideas or complaints," Johnson said.Located in the basement on the south side of the Nebraska Union, the doors to the Daily Nebraskan are always open and anyone is welcome to come in and pitch story ideas.Dan Shattil, general manager of the Daily Nebraskan said the paper has evolved along with the student body and the journalism world.Shattil said that we are comparable to any college paper with the same enrollment and that the Daily Nebraskan has an award winning staff. Last year, the Daily Nebraskan won a Pacemaker Award, for being one of the top college newspapers in the country, as well as several individual awards. The paper also won two awards from the Nebraskan Press Association.But a student reading the paper is one of the best awards we can get, he said. Along with reading the paper, he said getting feedback from the students is very important, as well as students giving the paper story ideas.Johnson said students are lucky to have a paper the size of the Daily Nebraskan at their disposal."It's something campus needs to take advantage of more," she said.