If you’re wondering why you haven’t received your copy of the Summer 2010 issue of Biola Magazine, you’re not alone.

The issue, as it turns out, doesn’t exist — at least not in printed form. For this summer only, we are celebrating the launch of our new and very much improved Web site by publishing the magazine exclusively online. (Print fans: Don’t worry, the print magazine will return in the fall and will continue to appear four times each year.)

There are a couple of reasons why we decided to go online-only with this issue. For one, by eliminating the printing and mailing expenditures for one issue this year, we’re contributing to a university-wide cost-saving effort that will help keep Biola’s tuition increase to its lowest level in at least 25 years. For our students, that’s a big deal.

Secondly, cutting the print issue gives us a chance to spotlight the new site, which has been in the works for several months now. I’m assuming you’ve already had a chance to explore some of its exciting new features before you found your way down to this decidedly less exciting editor’s note, but let me highlight some of the improvements:

  1. Opportunities for interaction. At the bottom of most stories, you’ll now find comment fields where you can provide instant feedback or share articles through Facebook or Twitter.
  2. More online-exclusive content. The new site is friendlier to features like video, audio, photo galleries and extended interviews. Expect plenty more of these in coming issues.
  3. A complete visual makeover. With a new layout, more readable fonts and a better capacity to tie in the art from the print edition, the site is easier to navigate and a whole lot more fun to look at. (Though, for those of you who still prefer to read the PDF version online, we’ll continue to offer that format online in the future.)

In the meantime, to make up for not putting some physical reading material in your hands, we’re giving you all sorts of recommendations for some great summer reading. For our main feature, “The Ultimate Summer Reading List,” we asked some of Biola’s favorite professors to recommend some of their favorite books. You’re bound to find something to add to your “must read” list. If that’s not enough, this issue’s “In Print” is overflowing with new books written by Biola alumni and faculty members.

And if you want a little break from reading, make sure you don’t miss out on our list of “102 Ideas for a Memorable Summer.” There’s plenty of great suggestions there to keep you occupied until fall — when the next issue of the magazine returns to your mailbox.