While Oakland University students stay connected through social media and conversations with friends, some say campus news is not always part of their routine. With busy class schedules, work commitments and extracurricular activities, students rely on a mix of digital platforms, peers and university channels to stay informed about campus life — often leaving traditional student journalism out of the picture.

For some students, awareness of The Oakland Post itself is limited. Kara Bryant, a third-year criminal justice major, said she had not heard of the publication prior to being interviewed. 

“I have not heard of The Oakland Post,” Bryant said.

Bryant said she primarily gets campus news through social media, especially Instagram, where she sees OU-related posts and updates shared by others.

“I usually find out what is happening on campus by looking at the Oakland stories on Instagram,” Bryant said. “I mostly come across news on social media.”

Despite not regularly reading student news, Bryant said she still believes student journalism plays an important role on a college campus. She said the information most valuable to her includes weather-related class cancellations and campus events, adding that coverage of student organizations would make her more interested in reading campus news.

“I do think that student journalism is important on a college campus,” Bryant said.

Other students said they are aware of The Oakland Post but engage with it more casually. Jade Reeder, a senior majoring in human resource development, said she has picked up copies of the newspaper during her time at OU, though she does not regularly read it cover to cover.

“I have never really sat down and fully read The Oakland Post, but I have taken some home as souvenirs for memories of each school year,” Reeder said.

Reeder said she occasionally visits The Oakland Post website when searching for information about campus events. She also relies on bulletin boards around the Oakland Center and Oakland University’s social media accounts to stay informed.

“Either through bulletin boards around the OC, the Oakland Post cover page or Oakland social media like Instagram,” Reeder said.

For Reeder, coverage of campus events and opportunities for involvement is most valuable. She said student journalism plays an important role in representing student voices and fostering a sense of connection on campus.

“You have to hear back from the students and really understand what they’re getting out of Oakland and what they can give to Oakland,” Reeder said.

Reeder also noted that design and presentation can influence whether students engage with campus news.

“If the cover is aesthetically pleasing, if it’s bright and colorful, it’s pretty inviting,” she said. “It makes me want to read more.”

Johanel Steenkamp, a junior majoring in graphic design, said she became aware of The Oakland Post through other students involved with the publication.

“I have heard of The Oakland Post through other students that have been interviewed as well as students who participate in either photography or writing for the Oakland Post,” Steenkamp said.

Steenkamp said she initially assumed the publication was primarily a print newspaper available in the Oakland Center and did not realize it had an online presence until last semester.

“I didn’t even know that there was an official website until a friend showed me a post,” she said. “Now on occasion I look at the website through my computer.”

Like other students, Steenkamp said she learns about campus news through a mix of friends, emails and social media but has recently begun paying more attention to The Oakland Post. She said she tries to be more intentional about the news she consumes and limits her exposure to social media.

“I usually try to avoid news on social media because it can become quite exhausting when the feed is just filled with spiraling news,” Steenkamp said.

For Steenkamp, safety updates and campus events are among the most important types of information student journalism can provide.

“I think it’s important to provide a voice for all students at OU,” she said. “The campus also feels less disconnected when you can read about what happens around the parts of OU you don’t usually visit.”

Steenkamp said simple reminders could help increase student engagement with campus news.

“A reminder email with a link to the website would be helpful,” she said. “The semester can get quite busy, so I forget that other things exist on campus aside from exams and projects.”

While students differ in how they consume campus news, their responses reflect a broader shift toward digital platforms as primary information sources. At the same time, they suggest student journalism continues to matter when it highlights timely information, campus safety and opportunities students say are most relevant to their lives.

Although some students still associate The Oakland Post mainly with its print edition, the publication also maintains an online presence. Stories are published on the Oakland Post website, and the newsroom shares updates through social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Students looking for the publication online can visit the website and follow The Oakland Post on Instagram (@theoaklandpost) TikTok (@theoaklandpost) and LinkedIn (@TheOaklandPost).