The Crow’s Nest print newspapers are back after a one-year hiatus.
Illustration by Andrea Coloma | The Crow’s Nest
By The Crow’s Nest Staff
After a one-year hiatus, The Crow’s Nest’s biweekly print newspapers are back and better than ever before.
Transitioning to an exclusively online format in December 2023, we devoted our time and resources to bring the USF St. Petersburg community and beyond the latest news through our website and social platforms. We adapted to the trends of the media industry in a world where news is consumed with a tap, a scroll, and click.
However, we felt like part of our identity was missing. Journalism is more than just the medium it’s delivered on — it’s about connection, trust and the role it plays in an informed campus community.
The Crow’s Nest has been around since 1969, just four years after the St. Petersburg campus was founded. Our first issue, published on Oct. 30, was originally known as the Bay Campus Bulletin. By mid-October of 1970 the publication was renamed The Crow’s Nest to give the paper an identity that fit in well with the small, but growing, campus along Bayboro Harbor.
Since then, the newspaper has appeared as monthly, semiweekly and weekly issues during the fall and spring semesters. It has existed in many printed formats, including single-sheet mimeographed broadsides, small fliers and as traditional newspapers.
After ceasing print publication in 2023 due to a shortage of staff, with eight of our 10 roles vacant, we knew that it would take time to acquire and train a new set of eager journalists ready to tackle the task of putting together a print edition.
But bringing back print isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about accessibility and impact.
Not everyone spends their day refreshing social media or clicking through links. A physical newspaper on campus means our stories are unavoidable. In an era of misinformation, where social media algorithms decide what you see, having a reliable, tangible source of news on campus is more important than ever.
Now, we are at a place where we can say we are ready and excited to be the only print publication at the University of South Florida.
Just like books, nothing beats seeing, feeling — and even smelling — the pages of a newspaper. And if you’re one of our staff members, seeing your story printed for the first time after putting in a lot of time and effort, is unforgettable.
Our decision comes at a time where student journalism is vital, especially with the state of our university, city, state and nation; students, faculty and staff want to stay informed on issues that directly affect them.
Our commitment is to bring news in the most accurate and efficient way possible. That means balancing digital convenience with the irreplaceable value of print.
We’ll continue to maintain our online presence and deliver breaking news fast — while also making space for in-depth storytelling, investigative reporting and campus culture coverage in a format that you can hold, share and keep.
Hopefully, you saw our commitment to just that with our unprecedentedly timely and precise reporting on hurricanes Helene and Milton last year. We know the value of reliable information and we’re dedicated to telling the stories that matter.
This isn’t just about reviving print; it’s about strengthening our role as your trusted campus news source. Thank you for reading, engaging, and believing in the power of student journalism.
We’re back in print — because the news still belongs in your hands.
