The Flat Hat

The Flat Hat. It is the official independent student newspaper of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. First published in 1911, it is one of the oldest continuously published college newspapers in the United States. The paper operates with editorial independence from the College of William & Mary administration and is published weekly during the academic year.

History

The newspaper was founded in 1911, taking its distinctive name from the flat, square academic cap known as the mortarboard. Early editions were closely tied to the College of William & Mary's literary societies. Publication was interrupted during World War I and again during World War II, when the college's operations were significantly altered. A major milestone occurred in 1967 when the paper successfully fought for and achieved formal editorial independence from the College of William & Mary administration. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, *The Flat Hat* has covered significant campus events, including student protests, administrative controversies, and the college's role in historical events like the Civil Rights Movement. The paper transitioned to a broadsheet format in the 1970s and has since developed a robust online presence alongside its print edition.

Content and sections

Each weekly issue features a mix of news, opinions, arts, and sports content relevant to the College of William & Mary community. The "News" section covers campus events, Board of Visitors decisions, and local Williamsburg, Virginia issues. The "Opinion" section includes editorials from the editorial board, columns by staff and contributing students, and letters to the editor. "Life" serves as the arts and culture section, featuring reviews of performances at the Kimball Theatre and interviews with visiting speakers. The "Sports" section provides coverage of NCAA athletics, particularly the William & Mary Tribe, and intramural sports. Special issues are published for significant events like Homecoming and elections for the Student Assembly.

Notable alumni

Many former staff members have pursued distinguished careers in journalism, law, public service, and literature. Notable alumni include Jill Ellis, former coach of the United States women's national soccer team, who served as a sports editor. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Gene Weingarten was a prominent editor during his time at the College of William & Mary. Former White House Press Secretary and political commentator Mike McCurry also worked on the newspaper. Other distinguished alumni include novelist and professor Sophronia Scott, and former editor-in-chief Megan Rhyne, who later led the Virginia Coalition for Open Government.

Awards and recognition

The newspaper has consistently earned regional and national accolades for collegiate journalism. It is a frequent award winner in the Virginia Press Association's annual contests, often competing against professional publications. *The Flat Hat* has also been recognized by the Associated Collegiate Press and the Society of Professional Journalists for overall excellence, feature writing, and editorial cartooning. Individual staff members have received prestigious scholarships, including the William Randolph Hearst Foundation's journalism awards. The paper's commitment to open records and investigative reporting has been cited by the Student Press Law Center.

Campus and community role

As the primary student news source, the paper plays a critical role in informing the campus community and fostering debate on issues affecting the College of William & Mary. It serves as a watchdog over the Student Assembly and the College of William & Mary administration, frequently utilizing the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The paper's office in the Campus Center is a hub for student journalists and contributes to the vibrant extracurricular life at the College of William & Mary. Its coverage extends into the greater Williamsburg, Virginia community, often addressing town-gown relations, local elections, and events at places like Colonial Williamsburg.

Category:Student newspapers published in Virginia Category:College of William & Mary Category:Publications established in 1911