Spring 2024 Team

The STAR

The STAR is Sonoma State University’s student-run newspaper, that has been publishing and distributing each semester throughout the campus community since 1979. A part of the Communications Department, The STAR is located in SALAZAR 1020.  Students enroll in COMS 368 Media Lab: STAR for 4 units. All students produce work for weekly publication as a reporter, photographer or editor. Students generally rotate between 2-3 sections each semester: News, Opinion, Student Life, Arts & Entertainment, Sports and Photo. As reporters, they will work with editors developing story ideas, conducting interviews, writing stories in journalistic style and following AP Style for a finished presentation.

In addition to the print edition, the STAR can be seen through the SSU Library's archived copies.

At The STAR, students learn by doing many things: research, reporting, interviewing, writing, photography, headline writing and page design. As a member of a team, they learn the dynamics of working together to put out a finished product each week, uploading it to the web and social media. It is great preparation for any student wanting to get into journalism, media relations, online publishing, or work as a content creator for a company or organization. Because The STAR is modeled after a real professional newsroom, with editors of sections covering a range of campus news and events, students are able to gain broad experience in a relatively short time. 

At the close of each semester, STAR reporters and editors create a professional portfolio, featuring clips of their best work, suitable for use in job-hunting and freelancing. Second semester students take on leadership roles at The STAR, many of whom move onto the professional world of journalism, as interns or staff.

Faculty Advisor: Sarah Jackson