For the first time in GSU history, The Gramblinite will publish two editions a week. However, both issues will not be print editions because of budget concerns. The new Web edition will allow students more variety and will assist commuters and those students who have a problem obtaining a newspaper.
De Eric M. Henry, editor in chief of The Gramblinite, says the Web edition will publish every Tuesday and the print edition will continue to be published on Thursdays.
“I thought it was in our best interests to move toward publishing more frequently in order to keep up with journalistic trends,” said Henry.
The new edition will have several new features. “The Web site will have video and audio streaming to make stories more compelling. We want the students to feel like they’re at the events in case they’re not able to attend,” Henry said.
Dr. Gene Murray, associate professor of mass communication, said, “Publishing more will provide more experience for the staff and more news for The Gramblinite readers.”
The Web site will also have more photo essays that will focus primarily on the students. It will be called “On the Yard” and will capture photographs of students and events.
According to Henry, student input is a major part of The Gramblinite’s operations.
“We want students to help us come up with story ideas as well. They can submit them on our Web site every week,” Henry said.
As for the students who were wondering if there will be two editions of “20 Questions,” the staff of The Gramblinite wants them to know their wishes have been granted.
There are three HBCU publications that publish bi-weekly or more, Howard, Southern and Florida A&M University. Grambling will join Tennessee State University with publishing one print and one Web edition of news.
Wanda Peters, publication director of The Gramblinite, says that although the effort is ambitious, she has confidence that the editors and staff can get it done.
“The move by more college newspapers to publish more frequently was not our only reason for following this trend,” Peters said. “We also wanted to give our students a more realistic experience of what professional newsrooms are like.