4. How does The Daily Tar Heel contribute to socialize freshman into the
university’s culture? Carefully read a full
week’s worth of The Daily Tar Heel looking for evidence
of the kind of behavior that is expected (or not tolerated) from members of the
university. Viewing the university community as a society, how well does the
student newspaper perform the socializing function identified by Croteau and
Hoynes?
.
The Daily Tar Heel does much
to contribute to the
socialization of freshmen into the university’s
culture. This can be seen by examining
various editions of the daily newspaper for any significant portion of
time. It is done through a variety of
ways including both articles and advertisements in the paper. There are examples of this almost every
edition of how The Daily Tar Heel socializes freshmen into the community
that is the University of North Carolina.
Throughout this last week I have read The Daily Tar Heel each day
and will attempt to show how it is successful in the socialization of freshman
and how well the student newspaper performs the socializing function as
identified by Croteau and Hoynes.
Beginning with Monday’s edition, The
Daily Tar Heel immediately offers evidence of attempting to bring the
freshmen into the university’s culture.
Students are immediately exposed to the type of behavior that is not
tolerated by members of the university.
Right on the second page is the Police Log, which gives information
about any recent illegal activities.
Freshmen are shown exactly what may happen to them if they are caught
committing these acts and that their names may be front and center in the
paper. It especially addresses the
consequences of underage drinking which is something freshmen at this
university are unfortunately often exposed to.
Furthermore in this Monday edition there were several articles about
events happening on and around campus.
Special events, meetings, charity drives, and sporting events are all
covered. This serves as a great
opportunity to inform freshmen about the things going on around them and
acclimate them to the university. Also
the classifieds and other advertisements provide the freshmen with ideas about
where to shop and eat around Chapel Hill and furthers their involvement in the
culture of UNC. These advertisement and
classified sections run in every edition of The Daily Tar Heel, so in that
respect the socialization of freshmen students remains strong. Monday’s paper also provided extensive
coverage of all the current student elections that are taking place. This is a great way to get the freshmen
involved in the university and is key in allowing the freshmen to find out what
issues and problems this university faces everyday. Now the freshmen can feel like they are really participating in
the events that are integral in maintaining this university and is a great way
to socialize them into our culture.