2008 Woodie Awards
Future of Foothill newspaper uncertain
Robert Erdei
Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: News
Monday, October 30, 2006
Foothill College, one of the two colleges in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, is trying to re-establish their newspaper, The Sentinel, which hasnt been published since the fall of 2005. The newspaper currently has a staff of seven students.
Foothill did not publish a newspaper during the winter or spring quarters due to lack of enrollment in the English 114 class that produces the newspaper. This year The Sentinel participated in Foothills Club Day and signed up additional students as "guest writers."
One reason the newspaper hasnt been published on a regular basis is due to "apathetic students," Sentinel staff member Haris Ashraf said.
He said that not enough Foothill students enroll in the class and he feels there is no demand from the students and faculty of Foothill for the newspaper. "Its quite disgusting, really," he said. "The Sentinel has struggled with low enrollment and low staff for years," said Darwin Patnode, Sentinel faculty adviser.
"It is almost impossible to produce a paper without a larger staff. It is seldom the lack of funds or lack of administrative support." Patnode said that the problem might be a "social trend rather than a phenomenon unique to Foothill," as general circulation newspapers are losing readers.
"In order for a community college newspaper to succeed, the college needs to invest in a journalism program with a full-time faculty member as an adviser and a well-equipped newsroom," said Beth Grobman, La Voz adviser.
"I do not think the problem is solely student apathy. Foothill doesnt have the resources to support the students."
Foothill College, one of the two colleges in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, is trying to re-establish their newspaper, The Sentinel, which hasnt been published since the fall of 2005. The newspaper currently has a staff of seven students.
Foothill did not publish a newspaper during the winter or spring quarters due to lack of enrollment in the English 114 class that produces the newspaper. This year The Sentinel participated in Foothills Club Day and signed up additional students as "guest writers."
One reason the newspaper hasnt been published on a regular basis is due to "apathetic students," Sentinel staff member Haris Ashraf said.
He said that not enough Foothill students enroll in the class and he feels there is no demand from the students and faculty of Foothill for the newspaper. "Its quite disgusting, really," he said. "The Sentinel has struggled with low enrollment and low staff for years," said Darwin Patnode, Sentinel faculty adviser.
"It is almost impossible to produce a paper without a larger staff. It is seldom the lack of funds or lack of administrative support." Patnode said that the problem might be a "social trend rather than a phenomenon unique to Foothill," as general circulation newspapers are losing readers.
"In order for a community college newspaper to succeed, the college needs to invest in a journalism program with a full-time faculty member as an adviser and a well-equipped newsroom," said Beth Grobman, La Voz adviser.
"I do not think the problem is solely student apathy. Foothill doesnt have the resources to support the students."
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