A college newspaper is a paper filled with a collection of articles directed at students. These articles contain valuable current information, sometimes it even contains ads. They are widely regarded as a good source of information. let us know, “Do Colleges Have Newspapers?”
A college newspaper unlike its mainstream counterpart is usually run by a team of students. It is a collection of articles with information relevant to the students and everything else that takes place on campus. The big question is the title of this article and that is “do colleges have newspapers?” Most colleges in the U.S have a campus newspaper, with a few key differences. Some college newspapers are older than others. The period that they are published is also a key difference depending on the campus. One college may release its newspaper every week while another might decide to do it every month. In some cases, there may be campus newspapers that opt to publish every day. With the changes in technology, it is only normal to question the existence of college newspapers. To ensure that we are on the same page, colleges do have newspapers specific to their campus.
Purpose of college newspapers
To provide relevant information-
A college newspaper has multiple purposes one of which is to report information that is relevant and current. This may include events that happen on campus but are not limited only to that. In addition to reporting on current events, it also mentions events that have already taken place as well as others that are yet to take place.
Given the busy schedule that most students have academically, it is understandable that they may lose track of what goes on around campus from time to time. For example, sometimes they may have missed an event, and by reading the newspaper they can catch up so to speak, and be made aware of other upcoming events. Given the busy schedule that most college students keep it is hard for them to keep up with news around campus. That is where the college paper comes in. It is the articles contained in the college newspaper that is meant to be informative and relevant.
The student’s voice-
a college newspaper is more than just gossip or general campus news. It is also a platform that allows students to have their voices heard. College students tend to come from all across America sometimes even the world. It is the college newspaper that allows them to express the diversity of their campus and individual voices. Colleges do Have Newspapers This makes for a couple of interesting stories some of which others may not be aware of. In addition to having their voices heard the campus newspaper allows students to express their talents as well.
College newspapers tend to have a range of platforms that students who aren’t part of the newspaper publishing team can use. It’s the regular students who share their opinions through either their art be it images, poetry, or short stories. The college newspaper has character because of the multitude of voices heard through it as well as the philosophical content that it may contain on occasion. Students from different fields of study experience college life differently and some might not even interact. A campus newspaper allows for the experiences of different academics on campus to be shared across the campus through written accounts, with a selection of tones.
Aside from the general information that college newspapers provide, it’s the inclusion of the students that make it quite the read. Information is often better relayed when it is from student to student. This is another one of the purposes of a college newspaper.
Accountability-
The campus publication team can be classified as the ‘boots on the ground’ because they interact with both students and staff members. Beyond the scope of the campus team, the opinion pieces are also very informative. Like its more public counterpart, the college newspaper serves as an encourager of accountability. Reporting on what happens on campus and giving a voice to the students ensures that the college and its staff are held accountable for whatever actions they take.
It is the students who don’t form part of the campus newspaper team that tend to write a story in its truest form. The campus team can’t necessarily say it like it is all the time. Students who have no ties to the college newspaper are often not bound by the same set of restrictions. It is that reporting that tends to lack a filter that is applauded and admired because if and when something happens the report thereof ensures accountability.
Conclusion-
Even in the era of modern technology, the college newspaper continues to exist. It may change from an actual newspaper to an electronic version but it remains relevant and an important part of any if not every college campus. The journalistic itch tends to grab some earlier than others. Sometimes it takes an opinion piece for the college newspaper to awaken the journalist within.
Frequently asked questions
- Are college newspapers still relevant?
Given that an article by one of the staff writers at https://www.collegechoice.net/college-life/best-college-newspapers/ listed the 50 best college newspapers in America the answer is yes they are still very relevant.
- Do college students read the college newspaper?
As reported by the article posted on April 13th, 2022 on https://www.collegechoice.net/college-life/best-college-newspapers/ a survey conducted showed that 70% of students had read their college newspaper in the past 30 days. The same article showed that 96% of students read college papers at campuses that published them daily.
- Are students actively involved in the college newspaper?
Yes, it is a student-run newspaper, and as such students are very involved in the publication process.
- How can I get become a contributor to my campus newspaper?
Most college newspapers publish the contact details for the different departments in each edition of the paper. Becoming a contributor is as simple as sending an email/ WhatsApp message to the relevant person.
