It is with compassion, and a sincere desire to ensure that I
address recent concerns expressed by our student journalists, that I write this
letter.
The opinion column by Reggie Mizell that was published in
The Famuan on Sept. 3, 2015 has led to the misperception that my Administration
is creating a “new” newspaper that is designed to replace the student-run paper
as the voice of our student body.
The site is powered by the Office of Communications and
External Relations and receives more than 300,000 hits a year. Mr. Mizell’s
article, unfortunately, took my responses to questions about plans for the
then-uncompleted site out of context. So, the goal of this letter is to provide
clarification.
There has been a clarion cry for a news platform that better
provides updates for official communications from the University’s
Administration regarding the activities of the entire campus community,
especially in light of various blogs and other social media pages that
misreport information about the University. This revamped site is our response.
Renewing our presence in this space is exciting and
important to our community and is certainly not a threat to freedom of speech,
freedom of the press, and does not or will not inhibit student expression. It
simply is a part of our efforts to modernize our brand, implement the best and
current practices for online publishing, and further spread our message.
I respect the role of an independent student-run newspaper,
and this site is separate and distinct from The Famuan. In fact, many
universities have an official administration news site and an official
student-run news site.
Indeed, The Famuan and other student-run organizations are
essential to the University’s goal to provide the most well-rounded,
educational experience possible to students so that they can be competitive in
the 21st-century global economy. Universities exist solely to educate their
students, and this University encourages our students to gain as much
experience as possible in their fields of study. The Famuan has been successful
in providing that opportunity and has a storied, award-winning legacy of
producing some of the nation’s top journalists.
All of the work to update our existing site, so that it is
enhances the University’s brand, was done in-house by existing staff. The cost
incurred beyond the pre-existing budget for up-keeping and maintaining our
current site: $70.00.
There was never any intent to hide the updating or re-launch
of our news site. At the time that I was questioned about the site, it was
still being finalized and being prepared for a test-launch. The site is
designed to serve as a vehicle to provide informative and positive updates
about the exciting things happening at the University as a whole and to further
tell our unique and inspirational story. Users will also have the opportunity
to sign up to have information from the site delivered to their email inboxes.
It is important to note that the existing news site contains
links to student media including The Famuan, FAMU TV-20, and WANM 90.5 FM, and
the updated site will continue to promote these links.
It should also be noted that I frequently participate in
student media interviews, and on the first day of class, one of the first
places I visited was the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication,
spending time talking with students eager to begin the school year. I believe
in our journalism and graphic communication students, just as I believe in all
of our students.
Additionally, the Office of Communications and External
Relations has a documented history of offering multiple professional
development opportunities to students from the School of Journalism &
Graphic Communication each semester, and I am positive that it will continue to
do so as we reach the official site launch.
I hope this letter sheds light on my Administration’s
ongoing support of not only our student journalists but also all of our bright
and talented students.
We look forward to enhancing our reach, and working with our
students, as we continue to renew and revitalize our excellence as a collective
University community.