The Stampede

Although discussions have been circulating around campus on the subject of the yearbook transferring to a digital format, The Buffalo will, for the time being, remain in a book format.

“It is just an idea and nothing’s decided,” said Faculty Advisor of the Yearbook Jim Dahlman, “and it probably won’t be decided until next year.”

Since the yearbook is obligated by contract to continue working with publisher Herff-Jones through the end of the year, this year’s Buffalo will definitely be on paper.

In a meeting on Feb. 3, Dahlman and Faculty Advisor of SGA Bill Greer met with Yearbook Editor Abby Banks, then SGA President Curtis Teel, Chair of the Communications Board Vikki Sitter and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Lee Fierbaugh, among others, to discuss the possibility of changing the yearbook’s format from paper to digital.

According to Dahlman, the idea has been an ongoing topic of discussion between him and Vice President for Student Development Mark Fox, who oversees the student development budget.

Money is the main concern with The Buffalo, as it generally costs about $21,000 to publish the yearbook annually. The money comes from the $200 per year student activity fee, which the students pay yearly. However, students do not pay separately upon receiving the yearbook.

A digital switch would eliminate the most expensive element of the process: the paper. Although estimates were not officially determined for either a web-based or DVD-based format, the cost would be considerably less, according to Dahlman.

However, cost is not the only concern. Teel and new SGA President Katy Fox both feel that the new format would be an improvement in content and accessibility.

“In general it was a very favorable option to go to a digital version or a web-based version,” said Teel. “For several different reasons: you could download updates or pictures to it; two, it would be a way to stay in touch, like a strictly Milligan Facebook; three, you could put videos up like of Wonderful Wednesday.”

“As a student, I think moving to a digital yearbook is a great thing,” said Fox. “We could use the money for other things than a yearbook that will just sit on the shelf.”    

However, Banks is worried about changing to a digital format, partially because the rapid advancement of technology could make the digital yearbooks obsolete.

“My biggest concern is what happens when the technology changes in 10 years,” said Banks. “I feel like (an online yearbook) would possibly work better than a DVD or disc, but you still run into the problem of how do you grant access to everyone? And who’s going to keep up with that? Books, I mean sure they’re bulky and they take up space, but you don’t have to have anything special to use it.”

The issue of staffing is another concern to going digital, since work-study students who are not necessarily trained in video editing and web design currently run the yearbook .

“It would be much more labor intensive--more than we are set up to do with the yearbook staff or with any class we’ve got going now,” said Dahlman.

Fox, however, suggested that this could be a fun, educational opportunity.

“Moving to a digital format would take time and restructuring, but it could be something communications students could really benefit from and learn from,” said Fox.

One suggested solution was to have both a print format and a supplemental disc or website, or to have print copies sold only to those who want them and digital copies for the rest.

“My hunch is that we are going to have a book for the foreseeable future,” said Dahlman. “We may, starting in 2010, start looking at supplementing that book in some digital form with a website or some disc with video.”

In the upcoming year, Fox intends to elicit student and alumni response on the issue.

“As SGA President, I recognize that my opinion is not the only one that matters,” said Fox. “Alumni are an important part of Milligan tradition and heritage, and they have a valid and valuable opinion. Paper yearbooks are something that they value maybe even more than students now.”

This semester, SGA drafted an alumni survey that was sent to the President’s cabinet, which would seek alumni opinion on the subject. The survey has yet to be sent out.

“As always, our door is always open and our ear is always open to what students have to say,” said Fox on Wednesday, the day of the SGA open forum where SGA asked the students to evaluate SGA’s performance throughout the semester through polling.

Dahlman also added that he would be welcome to receive student opinions on the subject via e-mail.

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