“The squeaky wheel gets the oil.”
It is important for every University to have a campus newspaper, and one that students are involved in.
Campus newspapers provide the squeak that many areas on campus need. For example, the campus police blotter, which is a summary of crimes that have occurred on campus is supposed to be public record.
However, at Winston-Salem State these records were not made available to the public for months. Withholding of the blotter was an issue unresolved until The News Argus got involved.
The injustices and hard-hitting issues that affect everyday people also affect college students. Campus newspapers take the same everyday issues and localize them for college students, faculty and staff.
This year schools like Wake Forest, Mississippi State University and Purdue were hit with a rash of swine flu like symptoms.
Campus newspapers such as A&T’s Register wrote articles on how to stay healthy and detect symptoms of the H1N1.
Students should be involved in their campus newspaper because the publication represents their voice.
The issues and topics in the campus newspaper should represent what is important to the campus community. The only way for a campus newspaper to accurately report student issues is for its core audience [students] to become involved.
Campus newspapers need student reporters, editors, artists, photographers and more.
An impressive resume is another benefit from being involved in the campus newspaper.
It looks good to potential employers if the candidate has published material, as well as the ability to meet deadlines. The skills that can be learned from working on a campus newspaper can be used in any profession.
The campus newspaper not only represents the voice of the students, it represents the University.
Annual contests like the Black College Communication Association, award campus newspapers for their articles, photography, illustrations and more; awards like these add prestige and reputation to a university.
Circulation of a campus newspaper ensures that more than just students read it; professors, administration, and the local community will read it as well.
Sites like College News, Black College Wire and Uwire post articles from campus newspapers and allow them to be read nationally.
The campus newspaper is the unfiltered and unbiased publication that represents the voice of thousands.