College Student Upset Over Online Tartan

On a typical Friday afternoon at Gordon College Natalie Ferjulian grabbed a sandwich in lane. Her next stop was the mailroom, however on her way something caught her eye. It was The Tartan, her college newspaper. She grabbed a copy, intending to read it while enjoying her lunch.

Last year Ferjulian read The Tartan weekly, keeping up with her favorite writers such as Maggie Roth and Dani Zorn. Upon hearing the news that The Tartan would no longer be printed and instead would be posted online, Natalie was deeply upset. When asked if she would be as likely to read the online Tartan she said, “absolutely not.”

Why this change in heart? Ferjulian said, “It is no longer easily accessible. Everyone goes to the mailroom and sees The Tartan but it isn’t a big enough deal to seek it out online.” She will no longer be able to eat her lunch while flipping through the paper.

This change will not just affect her reading habits; it will also affect her publishing habits. Natalie, a communication major, has had a multitude of articles published in The Tartan. She now feels less enthusiasm towards submitting her work. “It’s more exciting when it’s printed” she said.

Ferjulian isn’t the only student who may be less likely to submit online entries. “New journalism students especially will be impacted. You can’t send the newspaper to your mom anymore. Tangible things are more meaningful and personal,” she said.
On the upside of things, Natalie does believe that the shift away from paper will be more environmentally friendly.

Will other students be opposed to or even affected by the switch from print to online? How many students will read this very article? Natalie Ferjulian most likely will not.