Students at the University of Seoul (UOS) have access to information through school newspapers published by one of the three official media organizations, UOS Press. Since its establishment in 1964, UOS Press has been documenting the history of the university. Newspapers produced by UOS Press are available at distribution stands located at the entrance of each university building. These newspapers provide students with immediate access to news both within and outside the school. Although only the final products, the newspapers, are distributed to students, the entire process behind each publication is supported by the diligent efforts of the members. The UOS Times has examined the detailed efforts that UOS Press puts into creating a communication channel for students.
About UOS Press
UOS Press comprises four departments: the News Department, the Social Affairs Department, the Academic Department, and the Cultural Department. Each department, aside from the News Department, which all reporters collectively cover, has reporters who write articles specific to their department, filling 12 pages of the newspaper. The Press Department focuses on campus events, including announcements and facilities. The Social Affairs Department covers current societal issues relevant to students. Similarly, the Academic and Cultural Departments delve into historical, cultural, and scientific topics, providing insights to their readers.
Issuance Process
- Item meeting: Reporters decide on the article topics to fill the 12 pages of the newspaper. The primary criteria for selecting these topics are their timeliness and impact.
- Two final report meetings: Reporters share an overview of their progress, including aspects such as interview contacts and article composition.
- Closing and Screening: A panel of directors reviews and corrects errors and typos in the reporters' articles. Once this process is complete, the finalized article is submitted to the business manager and the faculty advisor for a final review.
- Type setting meeting: The final design and layout of the articles and the newspaper are completed.
To gain insight into the mindset of a journalist working for UOS Press, The UOS Times interviewed Shin Yeon-kyung (Dept. of Korean History, ’22), the managing editor of UOS Press, and asked about her most rewarding and challenging experiences. She replied, “The moment when the efforts of all reporters and interviewees stretch to the fruition of newspapers is always thrilling. That’s why it is most worthwhile when the newspaper is published and delivered to the office after a difficult two-week publication process. The empty distribution stands make me feel grateful for those who read our newspaper and pledge to do better work. Whenever I face a change of school facilities or systems after the article is published, I realize that our efforts affect the university community.” As challenges, she pointed to the underestimation of “school newspapers” and the decline in readership due to the waning popularity of text content. UOS Press has attempted to address this issue through online articles and digestible card news, but it's disheartening to see their energy wane each time they face such a situation. However, she believes it's the responsibility of the school newspaper to adapt to changing trends. She concluded with a pledge that UOS Press would strive to work harder and continue to grow.
In the fall semester of 2023, UOS Press plans to provide comprehensive coverage of the upcoming general student council election. In addition, UOS Press will continue to report on the ongoing tuition debate at UOS until a final decision is reached. UOS students can stay informed through distributed newspapers and digital platforms, such as Instagram and websites. As always, UOS Press remains committed to actively listening to and reporting on the challenges and triumphs of our student body.