The Flat Hat

Infobox Newspaper
name = The Flat Hat


caption =
type = Twice-weekly newspaper
format = Broadsheet
foundation = 1911
ceased publication =
price =
owners = The College of William & Mary
publisher =
editor =
chiefeditor = Austin Wright
maneditor = Jeff Dooley
execeditor = Alice Hahn
staff =
language = English
political =
circulation = 3,000
headquarters = Williamsburg, Virginia
sister newspapers =
oclc =
ISSN =
website = http://www.FlatHatNews.com

"The Flat Hat" is the student newspaper of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. It prints Tuesdays and Fridays during the College's academic year. It began printing twice-weekly in 2007; since its inception in 1911, "The Flat Hat" had printed weekly [ [http://flathatnews.com/about/176/about-us "The Flat Hat" online: About Us] . Accessed 22 May 2008.] . It is printed by the presses of "The Daily Press".

In October 2007, "The Flat Hat" won the Pacemaker award for excellence in the category of non-daily newspaper at a four-year university [ [http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/winners/npm07.html National Scholastic Press Association: 2007 Pacemaker Award Winners] . Accessed 22 May 2008.] . The Pacemaker is considered to be the highest honor in collegiate journalism, and is awarded by the Associated Collegiate Press and the Newspaper Association of America Foundation. The contest was judged by "The Washington Post".

History

"The Flat Hat" is named after the Flat Hat Club, the nation's first secret society founded in 1750 at the College. The first issue of "The Flat Hat" was printed on October 3, 1911 [ [http://flathatnews.com/about/176/about-us "The Flat Hat" online: About Us] . Accessed 22 May 2008.] .

Origins of the name Flat Hat

The origin of the name of this newspaper goes back to a secret gentleman's club founded in 1750, called The Flat Hat Club. Its most notable members included St. George Tucker, Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe. It is believed that the Flat Hat Club was probably the precursor of Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1776. According to the September 28, 1928 issue of "The Flat Hat", members of the Flat Hat Club were directly responsible for the creation of the newspaper [ [http://swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19280928.pdf "The Flat Hat" archives: 28 September 1928 issue] Accessed 22 May 2008] . The badge of the club was circular with an elaborate coat of arms on one side, and F.H.C. in a large monogram on the other. Beneath was a date and motto:

Nov. XI. MDCCLStabilitas et Fides

The motto of the Flat Hat Club, Stabilitas et Fides, has always been the motto of The Flat Hat [ [http://flathatnews.com/about/176/about-us "The Flat Hat" online: About Us] . Accessed 22 May 2008.] .

Censorship

In 1945, Marilyn Kaemmerle, then the 22-year old editor of "The Flat Hat", wrote an editorial titled "Lincoln's Job Half-Done" to commemorate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. She encouraged the racial integration of William & Mary, citing that blacks "should be recognized as equals in our minds and hearts." [ [http://swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19450207.pdf "The Flat Hat", 7 February 1945] ; Marilyn Kaemmerle. Accessed 22 May 2008.] The William & Mary Board of Visitors, the group appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to run the College, instructed then president of the College John Pomfret to expel Kaemmerle. Pomfret compromised by removing Kaemmerle from "The Flat Hat" and commanding her to sign a statement saying that a censored paper was in the best interest of all concerned. [ [http://www.flathatnews.com/news/1882/in-1945-a-call-for-equality-silenced-race-and-the-college-part-two-of-four "The Flat Hat" online: 12 February 2008.] Accessed 22 May 2008.]

Since 1945, "The Flat Hat" has had complete editorial control and autonomy. It has no faculty advisor, which is uncommon for a student newspaper. "The Flat Hat" is, however, a member of the Publications Council, a body which oversees finances and selects the editor of the paper. The Publications Council is comprised of the editors of most newspapers and magazines on campus, as well as members of the college administration. The Council has been referenced by outgoing Editor-In-Chief Andy Zahn as "restrictive." [ [http://media.www.vainformer.com/media/storage/paper1335/news/2008/04/23/Features/Controversy.Strikes.The.Publications.Council-3372751.shtml "Virginia Informer" online: Controversy strikes the Publications Council] . Accessed October 1, 2008.] "The Flat Hat" does not grant the William & Mary administration prior review of content [ [http://flathat.wm.edu/2003-08-22/story.php?type=2&aid=1 "The Flat Hat" online: 22 August 2003; Lindsay Moroney.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] .

Wren Cross controversy

"The Flat Hat" was the first media, student or otherwise, to break the news about the Wren Cross controversy [ [http://flathat.wm.edu/2006-10-27/story.php?type=1&aid=9 "The Flat Hat" online: 6 October 2006.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] as it did so in a news brief. After the decision received more press, "The Flat Hat" continued to follow the controversy, including the revocation of a $12 million donation [ [http://www.flathatnews.com/news/449/new-cross-policy-costs-college-12-million-donor "The Flat Hat" online: 28 February 2007.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] , the placement of the cross in a display case [ [http://www.flathatnews.com/news/501/recommendation-by-the-religion-committee-on-the-wren-cross "The Flat Hat" online: 6 March 2007.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] [ [http://www.flathatnews.com/news/787/cross-placement-decided "The Flat Hat" online: 17 April 2007.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] , and the ultimate resignation of College President Gene Nichol [ [http://www.flathatnews.com/news/1918/nichol-resigns-ending-shortest-presidency-since-civil-war "The Flat Hat" online: 15 May 2008.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] , which was in part based on the Wren cross controversy [ [http://www.flathatnews.com/news/1905/bov-came-to-unanimous-consensus-planned-to-work-toward-graceful-exit "The Flat Hat" online: 13 February 2008.] Accessed 22 May 2008.] .

External links

* [http://www.flathatnews.com The Flat Hat]
* [http://www.wm.edu The College of William and Mary's official website]

References