Is The Tartan at rutartan.com an Official Radford University Publication?

Updated

The site identifies itself as "Radford University's Student Newspaper," and its content is written by student and contributing writers. Based on the page evidence alone, it is best described as student media rather than a confirmed official university publication — the site does not state an official affiliation with Radford University's administration.

What the page actually says

The site's own title and description read: "Radford University's Student Newspaper - September 18, 2026 18." That phrasing establishes two things clearly:

  • It positions itself as a newspaper for Radford University.
  • It identifies the publication as a student newspaper.

What it does not do is claim to be published by, funded by, or overseen by the university. Those are different relationships, and the page evidence does not settle them.

Who writes the content

Every bylined item in the visible content is attributed to an individual writer, often with a role marker:

Article Byline
Women's Soccer: Highlanders Turn Toward Big South Play After ETSU Draw By Andrew Marchetti
Senior Artist Showcased the Art in Architecture with New Collection By Angelina Capots
Annual "Fall Into the New" Event Brings New River Valley Together By Abigail Stepp
Radford Alumnus Releases New Book Encouraging Readers to Stay Active By Brandon Whitaker
Imposter Syndrome Awareness By: Tanyon Cauley
Opinion: Take Away the President's Phone By: Amanda Farlow

This byline pattern — named individual writers across news, arts, sports, and opinion — is consistent with student journalism. The presence of a signed opinion column ("Opinion: Take Away the President's Phone") is a further signal: opinion pieces reflect the writer's views, not an institution's.

Why "student newspaper" is not the same as "official publication"

These are separate questions, and the page only answers the first:

  • Is it about Radford University? Yes — it covers Radford athletics, Radford student artists, and Radford alumni.
  • Is it produced by students? The self-description and bylines support this.
  • Is it an official arm of the university? Not stated. An official publication would typically carry a masthead naming the university as publisher, an editorial adviser, or a statement of institutional oversight. None of that appears in the available evidence.

How to confirm the relationship yourself

If the distinction matters for your purpose — citing it, contacting it, or republishing from it — check these on the live site:

  1. Look for a masthead or "About" page naming a publisher, faculty adviser, or university department.
  2. Check the footer for a copyright line or a statement such as "published by Radford University."
  3. Note the funding or governance language, if any, since that is what usually separates official media from independent student media.

Until one of those is present, treat The Tartan as student-run media covering Radford University — not as a confirmed official university publication.