DIGEST need referendum passage to begin printing in color, twice weekly

Over the past couple of years, the Southern DIGEST has constantly been growing, and the 2002-2002 DIGEST has reached a mark of excellence reflected in an abundance of awards, national recognition, and grateful readers.
We’ve got to keep the ball rolling.
The Southern DIGEST’s pressing goal is to move to a four-color, bi-weekly publication to not only bring more news and entertainment to the Jaguar Nation, but to also breathe more life into an already thriving paper.
In order to accomplish this goal, we need the help of the student body. On the 2002 spring ballot, there will be a referendum for a $5.50 fee increase to finance the costs of expanding.
The total cost of just printing alone twice a week per year would add up to $64,000, including color on the front, back, and inside spread and delivery to campus.
The fee increase would not only cover this, but it would also fund increased traveling to cover more off-campus events, employee wages, participation in national contests, conventions, and conferences, and the overall maintenance of running a larger paper.
Other Historically Black Colleges and Universities, like Howard University and Florida A&M University, have long since made the move towards more frequent and color publishing. It’s time for the DIGEST to also contribute to paving the pathway for young black journalists who will one day work at daily newspapers across the country.
In 2001, the DIGEST won third place for best student newspaper in the Ma’at Awards in Region VII (Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas) by the National Association of Black Journalists. This year, the paper placed first.
For the first time in years, the DIGEST has gained recognition for photography. The paper won first place for Best Sports Feature Photograph and two honorable mentions by the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC). SEJC consists of all student publications in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Also, the DIGEST won second best newspaper in Louisiana by the Louisiana Press Association last year, and is a finalist for this year’s competition. Yes, currently the DIGEST is the second best student newspaper in Louisiana. University of New Orleans is currently in first place.
Another milestone is the four-color, March 14 Sports Special Edition DIGEST brought to you during mid-term week. This paper is a perfect example of the quality of work we want to have flow off the pages and into the hearts of our readers.
Each year has taken the DIGEST to another level, and now it’s up to the student body just how far we can go. Your support is greatly appreciated.