FIU should change name of School newspaper

[alt7787]

It occured to me that there is a HUGE lack of support and panther pride in our school. A big reason is because FIU actually contributes to this. We dont have our school colors displayed everywhere. We dont have signs and banners that encourage panther pride. Those banners that say "lets build it together" dont really do much. Most importantly why the hell is our school newspaper called "the beacon". Because the police tower on campus lets out a beacon of light??? What does this have to do with panther pride?

FIU should change the name to something like the Panther Post, Panther Times, Golden Panther Report, etc. Something that lets people know and feel proud that we are the FIU golden panthers.

[kevinkagy]

A name change would be good. I think The Beacon needs to restructure itself and completely start over and get a new name while they're at it. I've read too many misprints in the newspaper and it disappoints me. A top university does not have a newspaper with misprints, end of story.

[FIUPantherFan]

The Beacon, like the school radio station is student run but funded by FIU. The students would have to make the call as to whether the name should change. FIU's own School of Journalism is not even involved with the paper (some "writers" aren't even journalism majors). Also, I don't think the students would appreciate the FIU administration interfering with the running of the paper (freedom of the press and all). Maybe you should write to the editor and see what he/she says.

[steven]

I think that the students would appreciate a well-run student newspaper. Quite frankly, as of late especially, the Beacon has become a tool for some of my peers to laugh at rather than a source of information. The articles are poorly written and poorly edited as well. In one recent edition, the article was truncated mid-word because it interfered with an ad and the remainder of the article was nowhere to be found. Even more, there was no apology in the next issue, showing that not only was it poorly edited prior to print but it was not checked post-printing.

I feel that before we go and suggest a name change that we correct the flaws in the current product first.

[kevinkagy]

steven said:

I think that the students would appreciate a well-run student newspaper. Quite frankly, as of late especially, the Beacon has become a tool for some of my peers to laugh at rather than a source of information. The articles are poorly written and poorly edited as well. In one recent edition, the article was truncated mid-word because it interfered with an ad and the remainder of the article was nowhere to be found. Even more, there was no apology in the next issue, showing that not only was it poorly edited prior to print but it was not checked post-printing.

I feel that before we go and suggest a name change that we correct the flaws in the current product first.

I agree completely. I read the Beacon every Monday and Thursday and quite frankly, it's embarassing. It needs to restructure itself and up its edit check. And let's get a new name while we're at it.

[FIUBlue82]

I would like to see a name similar to UF's daily paper - the Alligator. In fact, I would like to see the Beacon be a DAILY at some point, instead of a biweekly publication. Presently, it's not feasible. But then again, I think the Beacon name is here to stay.