Status Launches as Online Publication

Status editor, Cassandra Borntrager, is always looking for new writers, as well as new readers for the website.

Southwestern’s student association newspaper, Status, went live online for the first time on Sunday, October 30.  Status is completely student-run and student-read.

Up until the year 2000, Southwestern’s SA publication was a printed newspaper known as the Southwesterner.  Then student editor, Ben Protasio, decided to change the name to Status and it became a magazine.  In 2006, Dr. Glen Robinson, professor of communication, brought the Southwesterner back as an online newspaper as an extension of journalism classes he teaches.  Now Status has also gone online.

“The big difference between Status and the Southwesterner is that Status has a very direct audience,” says Cassandra Borntrager, sophomore English major and editor for Status.  “Students even have to use their name and password to get into the Status webpage. With an only college student readership, Status can write about very specific topics that affect the student body.”

Status stories range over five topics: campus news, opinion, sports, world events, and spiritual life.  The staff is completely student-run and is advised by Robinson. Borntrager brings up story ideas with her staff and they discuss what will be important to let students know about.  Borntrager would also like to encourage students to write what is on their mind in the opinion section of Status.

“The goal of Status is to make sure the student body knows what’s going on,” says Borntrager. “We want the student body to be informed so they can participate in things, and be knowledgeable of events both on and off campus.”

As an online newspaper, Status has much more opportunity than it had as a printed magazine.  A magazine may sound better at a glance, but printing was expensive, therefore Status could only print one issue every few months.  Online, Status can keep students updated with new stories as often as possible.  An online newspaper also saves the Student Association money for future events.

In an effort to get the student body more involved with Status, a friendly competition has been planned.  Any student who is interested is invited to design a logo for Status.  It must be school oriented, appropriate, original, creative, colorful, and email friendly.  The person with the winning logo will be given a prize.  Email your design to borntragerc@swau.edu.

Status newspaper can be found at status.site.swau.edu.

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