But the fact of the matter is that I can’t do that. Because every semester, the opinion page is back at square one. Look at this column as a kind of S.O.S. In order to keep this page afloat, I need as many readers as I can get to give their input.

First and foremost, I need this to come in the form of letters to the editor. Letters typically are fewer than 500 words and can be in response to a story we’ve run or some other local or national issue. You have my word that I will read every letter I receive. And there’s a strong likelihood that I’ll print it. For your convenience, you can even send a letter to the editor directly from our Web site.

You also, of course, have the option to comment on any story we run on our Web site. The comment section is great for quickly throwing your two cents in, but sometimes, anonymous online comments lead to a kind of childish and immature discussion that would otherwise never occur. It would be misguided to try to affect policy or engage in a real and visible discussion simply by commenting on the Web site.

We’re also hard at work on a new Web-heavy feature of the opinion section that we hope to unveil to you soon. The plan is to have it act as a sort of sounding board for MSU and East Lansing community members to speak on a unified topic. If you’re interested in weighing in on local issues in a new way, shoot me an e-mail at opinion@statenews.com.

This space obviously is reserved for columns, which is an opportunity for one person to state their own views on any given topic. If you’re interested in becoming a guest columnist, send me an e-mail. I may not be able to accept everyone, but if you’re passionate and willing, you probably have a good shot.

And we of course have our daily editorials, where we’ll discuss and weigh in on issues that directly affect the MSU and East Lansing communities. Several times a week, our editorial board will sit down and discuss matters that impact you. We’ll even take a look at state and national issues that have an influence on students.

There’s a great chance you’ll disagree with us. Good. And if you do, I want to hear about it. And if we’re not talking about issues that are important to you, I want to hear about that too.

College students are sometimes characterized as being apathetic (unfairly, in my mind). And while we may not always care about the same issues, we’re all affected by them in some way.

For instance, you might not be able to locate Nigeria on a map, but a young Nigerian with explosive underwear may have cost you hours of travel time during the holiday break.

Maybe you don’t know what a county commissioner does. But we hope that when the primary election roles around, our endorsements will help inform you and propel you to the ballot box.

Budget discussions might bore you to death, but chances are if you’re a deaf education or American studies student, you’re paying attention.

My goal is to hit you from all angles, so that every day there will be at least something on this page that gets you thinking and even elicits a physical or emotional response.

This page is yours. And you have a hand in what’s printed on it. We hope you’ll stop by every day — at least on your way to the crossword.

Dan Faas is the State News opinion editor. Reach him at faasdani@msu.edu.