In an age dominated by flashing screens and endless scrolls, the value of printed newspapers is frequently overlooked. However, physical newspapers, particularly on college campuses, provide a comfort that digital media struggle to match. 

The physical structure of printed paper encourages interaction. Imagine student stopping to pick up The Castleton Spartan on their way to class. A phone notification cannot replace immediate engagement with a print copy. 

The thin feel of paper, the crinkle in the flipping of pages, and the black ink spread across the pages cannot be duplicated by a thumb switching from screen to screen. 

A study by Lauren Singer and Patricia Alexander of the University of Maryland states print materials generally result in deeper reading and higher information retention than digital versions. Print gives an outlet from the overstimulation of digital screens by providing a sensory experience that connects individuals with the text meaningfully. 

Unfortunately, several campus publications have stopped printing due to mounting costs and falling circulation. Auburn University’s Plainsman, Boston College’s Heights, and the University of Maryland’s Diamondback are just a few long-running newspapers that have discontinued print editions in recent years, some after over a century in operation.

These decisions are frequently made in response to financial constraints, but they come at the expense of a valued institution tradition. For example, the University of Nebraska’s Daily Nebraskan decreased its print circulation in 2014, only to discover that its digital-first strategy lost readers interested in campus news. 

At VTSU Castleton, continuing the print edition of The Spartan provides a sense of identity. The Spartan appears in almost every corner of Castleton and even several spots in Rutland. 

A printed newspaper becomes an artifact, preserving the student body’s voices, events and community. Print editions serve as lasting mementos for significant events such as athletic successes or considerable university advancements like the merger of Vermont schools. 

Look at the University of Georgia’s Red and Black, whose unique print issue celebrating a football victory sold out within hours, proving the importance of physical copies in recording milestones. 

Additionally, print versions teach essential journalistic abilities to students who develop layout design skills and editing skills. The transition to “digital-only” risked losing these fundamental lessons in favor of the temporary urgency of online material. 

Others may argue that going digital is environmentally friendly and aligned with current consumption habits. While correct, this argument ignores the environmental cost of digital interaction, which includes energy usage for servers and devices. Hybrid models that combine print and digital platforms can also increase the reach and impact of print editions. 

Printed newspapers are more than just a thing of the past. They are a crucial outlet for connecting people, preserving history, and providing newer journalists with essential skills. 

Maintaining a print edition is vital for colleges and media organizations because it protects journalistic history, not just nostalgia. Keep those presses going!