Ortega selected as new editor in chief

By Teri H.P. Nguyen

Daily Bruin Contributor

Cuauhtemoc Ortega, a third-year political science and English
student, has been selected to be the next editor in chief of the
Daily Bruin.

In an extensive three-week application process, the
Communications Board for the Associated Students of UCLA named
Ortega Monday night as the successor to current editor in chief
Timothy Kudo.

“Cuauhtemoc will undoubtedly do a fine job if he remembers
to keep the interests of readers and staff above all else ““
even above his own ““ and to look out for them,” said
Kudo, a fourth-year philosophy student.

Kelly Rayburn, assistant news editor, and Adam Levitt, design
director, were also contenders for the position.

This year, unlike in previous years, the Bruin staff had three
qualified candidates competing for the leadership role of chief
editor.

“The position is usually not-so competitive,” said
Patrick Kerkstra, student media advisor and the 1996-97 Daily Bruin
editor in chief. Having multiple candidates “produces a
healthy debate about what The Bruin should be doing,” he
said.

Each candidate underwent a three-step application process,
including a three-hour exam and presentation before the
Communications Board. The candidates also underwent a staff
hearing, where they presented their ideas to receive staff
endorsement.

Of the 25 individuals who voted, in a winner-take-all system,
Ortega received the staff endorsement, said Managing Editor Michael
Falcone.

Ortega intends to address the decrease in newspaper readership
by extending coverage to what he sees as currently neglected areas:
the graduate students and faculty populations, as well as south
campus areas of interest.

He hopes to introduce two new sections to the Daily Bruin
““ a Science and Technology section that will entertain the
fast-growing interests of South Campus majors, as well as a
Lifestyle section featuring topics like dating and advice
columns.

As current Viewpoint editor, Ortega finds his inspiration in the
idea that the Daily Bruin is the “focal point of a campus
that would otherwise be pretty random.”

“The institutional value of the Daily Bruin inspired me to
pursue the job,” he said. Similar sentiments were expressed
by Rayburn and Levitt.

Rayburn, a third-year history student, said that by
“implementing an aggressive reporting style where community
members are held accountable,” The Bruin would become a more
proactive community watch-dog.

Rayburn, who said he looks forward to returning to The Bruin
next year, shared his ideas for the paper with the Communications
Board and asked them to respect the staff’s endorsement of
Ortega.

“I respect the staff’s endorsement and support it. I
did not want to be chosen any other way,” he said.

Like Rayburn, Levitt ““ who withdrew his application after
the staff announced their endorsement of Ortega and opted not to
speak before the Board ““ agrees that the unity of the staff
is the single most important thing for the success of the paper.
Levitt’s withdrawal symbolized his support of the
staff’s decision.

Levitt, a second-year communication studies student who has said
he will also return, is in charge of the Daily Bruin redesign that
will debut later this quarter.

“There are no regrets,” he said.