Responses
Sara, 8/7/2005, 7:00:00 AM
Hey Ashley,
Our website (at a private liberal-arts school) is on the school's main server and we've never had any issues with it. The kind of relationship you have with your administration is the most important factor to consider though. At the very least, make sure you would have access to it too so you can re-post anything that might be "fixed."
Stephen, 8/7/2005, 4:03:43 PM
Our site is also on the school's network, but under a subdomain (pacer.utm.edu). I think you will find that most online editions are under similar arrangements.
My advice is to stick with the free hosting the university provides, and just be mindful of the risks. I don't think any administrator would want to call attention to an issue by editing any content on the Web site, but you never know.
We use a PHP/MySQL solution, and backup the databases at least once monthly. If you put up a story that may be at risk of someone altering, just restore the database.
Eric Eldon, 8/9/2005, 12:03:38 PM
In terms of driving traffic to your web site, the .edu domain is key as Google and other search engines weight this academic affiliation tag more heavily than, say, .com -- so all of your content will appear higher up in relevant searches with the help of .edu. That's one reason for staying connected to your school (it doesn't mean they need to host your web site, though: you just should make sure that it's okay for you to use something associated with them for your web address).
Many schools choose to go with Digital Partners or College Publisher. There are costs and benefits associated with either business but you will have web site hosting taken care of.
My guess is that a $9.99 Yahoo site won't be able to hold all the information you're going to be putting on it but keep looking because there are a ton of other hosting possibilities out there. It just depends what you want.
-Eric
Ryan, 8/9/2005, 1:29:06 PM
I'd really recommend going with College Publisher. I've never had a security problem with them, the system is easy to work in, they help out with designs, etc. As nice as it is to be able to design your own site, sometimes (for most papers) it's not an option. CP comes in handy.
Colette Armstrong, 8/10/2005, 3:37:15 PM
I also think CP is a good alternative. Not only do you get a super user-friendly site that's flexible, but they'll also provide emails that include the publication's name. It makes it simple.
As far as being affiliated with the school, if they're saying they'll check or change "errors" i would stay away. As the watchdog of the university, the administration should not have any influence on the content of the student newspaper. We're a public university, we receive student fees and we're not affiliated with the school's web site. I would say that many major college newspapers, public and private, have sites separate from the university web site.
Remind the board that going with a different web site is meant to maintain the objectiveness and credibility of the paper. It's a matter of journalistic integrity.
colette armstrong
editor
cu-denver advocate
www.ucdadvocate.com
Rob V., 8/11/2005, 8:53:41 AM
I wonder if people wouldn't mind providing links to some of their college newspaper web sites here so we can all take a look?
Rob Velella
Adviser - Red & Black newspaper
Washington & Jefferson College
Joe R., 8/17/2005, 8:13:31 PM
Here's our Web site.
http://www.UniversityStar.com
Joe Ruiz
Managing Editor
The University Star
Texas State University-San Marcos
E.W., 8/26/2005, 9:57:54 PM
Here is our site:
http://www.hofstrachronicle.com
We use CP, but with a bunch of little Javascript hacks to make it look as unique as it does.
I would recommend CP for the sheer fact that they have great tech support and are very willing to please.
We started our site about 4 years ago and since then it has undergone about 10 layout changes. All the time CP has been there to help us out.
We are trying to move toward being a completely seperate intetiy than the print version. Basically we would be incorporated and given the content through a contract by the print newspaper to place online. This way if the Univ. shut the print down, they could not shut the site down.
Anonymous, 8/27/2005, 2:10:49 AM
Hey, "E.W." from Hofstra Chronicle --
What printing company do you use to print the Chronicle?
We are a weekly in the NYC/Metro-Area and are in search of a new printer.
Could you e-mail me at anthonyhazell@yahoo.com ?
Michelle, The Oswegonian, 9/14/2005, 5:00:02 PM
Luckily our school is pretty lax with putting our issues online. No one has said much... yet. If you don't want to pay, but you're worried about the man keeping you down, conisder signing a contract with the president or someone who represents him or her. You could make the terms so that they will not change anything at least without your approval-- or not change anything at all. Something to consider. Good luck!
