To the MU community, 

The legacy of passionate and powerful student journalism has always served as a motivator and source of inspiration for my time as a Maneater. Sixty-eight years of history, staff bylines and stories on the MU community are kept within The Maneater’s archive of yellowed newspapers. Every edition since our founding in 1955 is bound and stored in the Mizzou Student Media newsroom. 

However, there is a larger Maneater tradition passed on from editor to editor, reporter to reporter: 

We are, and always will be, the student voice of MU. 

Today, the needs of the student voice have changed, as they have for many student newsrooms across the country. Our audience of 18-24-year-olds primarily consume news digitally, through social media and other online platforms. It’s time to be honest — print no longer serves our readers. 

Under the guidance of the Mizzou Student Media Coordinator, Becky Diehl, The Maneater will distribute its final regular print edition this May — transitioning into a new, exclusively-digital future of high quality journalism, for students, by students. 

One of the most valuable features of student media is its ability to innovate — to challenge journalism’s institutionalized limitations and develop unique, fearless solutions to our industry’s most pressing questions. By stepping away from our monthly print edition, our newsroom has the opportunity to expand into a more inventive, forward-thinking outlet, focused on our audience’s needs. 

This year alone, The Maneater’s connection with the student body has only been strengthened by our increased focus on digital strategy and presence. 

The social media team has generated a new style for posting, approaching each platform like the front page of a paper, keeping our audience’s interests in mind every step of the way. In the last 90 days, The Maneater Instagram has reached over 11,000 accounts, over 10,000 of which are non-followers. 

In house, our multimedia section continues to expand, as we train new students in creating captivating content across mediums — audio, video, photo and graphics — before they practice those skills in the classroom. In the past two years, this section has transformed our newsroom’s mindset, challenging staff to expand their skill sets in visuals, design accessibility and website interactivity. Funds previously used for print publication can be reinvested in equipment geared toward this medium of content and supporting these unique skills. 

This semester, the outlet has launched The Maneater Bites, a weekly newsletter of our top stories — bite sized. This method of communication allows for direct, frequent and consistent communication with MU students, faculty, community members and alumni, in their inbox. 

Our spring goals look to push our outlet’s boundaries even further, with the first publication of a fully digital MOVE Magazine in April. Our print editions are already showcased on our website, alongside an archive of our content. As we bring traditional print products into digital spaces, staffers gain even more opportunities to develop marketable skills in web design and planning. 

As we move beyond a monthly print edition, our ability to support and develop these initiatives and goals only grows. This decision was announced internally this fall, and our staff has stepped up to this new challenge and opportunity. 

Like many Maneaters before me, I have loved late night production sessions in the newsroom, seeing my name in print and handing out papers to my peers. But, I also love that I am fortunate enough to work in a newsroom of fearless journalists, committed to our audience, and excited to explore a new frontier. 

The Maneater will always be committed to our guiding principles, our audience and our identity as the megaphone for the student body. We are rooted in the pages of the staff that came before us and motivated by our readers today. Join me in supporting the efforts of next year’s team. Donate to Mizzou Student Media, subscribe to The Maneater’s newsletter, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and uplift the work of some truly fantastic student journalists.  

Our next edition can be found all over campus on March 16. The final print edition of The Maneater will be distributed on May 4 — make sure to get your copy. 

Sincerely,

Anna Colletto

Editor-in-Chief, 2022-2023 

If you want to share a question, comment, or memory about The Maneater’s print edition, please email editors@themaneater.com