In the glory days of ancient Rome, there existed in many cities a space called “the forum.” Forums were open-air squares featuring shops, baths and temples. However, the forum was not simply a market: there, citizens would rendezvous, engage in political debate and deliver public speeches.

They were one of the most important spots in town and a fixture of Roman civilization.

Of course, today we have the Internet, an immense yet bodiless heir to the concept originated by those long-gone Latins. Just as well, the idea of the forum still thrives.

In fact, until rather recently, the Opinion section of this newspaper was titled “Forum.”

So, what are we getting at?

Think of it, Fair Reader: The Guilfordian can be your forum.

We, the Editorial Board of The Guilfordian, cordially extend a warm, open invitation to you: write to us.

If you have something on your mind — about Guilford College, a national issue, a cultural event, The Guilfordian itself, reasonably anything — feel free to draft a Letter to the Editor. We will happily publish your story.

If you’d like to be heard, we’d like to hear you. So would everyone around campus. Your name will be in print, and your opinion will be dispersed throughout the community. It’s kind of like being famous.

Doesn’t that sound fun? Believe us; it is.

In her changing-of-the-guard address, Editor-in-Chief Kate Gibson stated to you, “We’re here to listen.” And that fact holds true.

We aspire to mirror the diverse population and points of view inhabiting our campus. We strive every week — no, every day — to be the voice of the college, and your voice contributes an essential element to ours.

So let’s begin our conversation. Let’s engage in intellectual commerce.

Let’s build a classical forum in our modern world.