FAMU Budget Cuts Could Impact Campus Cable Access 

Florida A&M University is considering budget cuts that could affect campus cable services, raising questions about how students receive news and information on campus. Televisions placed throughout academic buildings, especially in areas such as the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC), often display live news broadcasts that students watch between classes. If cable services are reduced or removed, those screens could go dark, potentially changing how students stay informed while on campus. 

For many students, campus cable serves as a convenient way to stay up to date on current events throughout the day. Lovely Eveque, a senior at FAMU, says she frequently relies on the televisions around campus for updates while waiting for class. 

Eveque explained that she uses campus cable, particularly in the SJGC building, to stay informed about current events before class begins. As a journalism student, she believes staying informed is essential not only for classroom discussions but also for writing articles and engaging with real-world issues. 

“With today’s media, it’s always important to stay updated on current events so we can speak about them in class or write our own articles about them,” Eveque said. 
She also expressed concerns about what the loss of campus cable could mean for student awareness, especially during emergencies. 

“I would be concerned about students not knowing what’s going on,” Eveque said. “We could have an emergency, and we wouldn’t know because it wouldn’t be broadcasted on campus.” 
However, Eveque noted that students today have access to multiple digital platforms that can serve as alternatives. She said she receives daily updates from sources such as the Tallahassee Democrat and Apple News through notifications on her phone. 

Similarly, Jermaine Edwards Jr., a fourth-year public relations scholar at Florida A&M University, said campus cable is useful for accessing news quickly throughout the day.
“I use campus cable mainly for getting news sources on TV,” Edwards said.

While Edwards acknowledges its usefulness, he offers a different perspective on its overall impact. He does not believe removing cable would significantly impact students’ academic work.
“No, I don’t think it would affect my assignments or learning real-world journalism. I can always look up the news,” Edwards said.

He also pointed out that traditional cable is becoming less common as digital media continues to dominate how people consume information.

“The cable should stay at school even if it’s basic, but nowadays we technically don’t use cable,” Edwards said.

If campus cable were eliminated, Edwards said he would rely on online news outlets and mobile apps to stay informed about both local and global events.

As universities across the country continue adjusting budgets and adapting to changing technology, FAMU’s potential cable cuts reflect a broader shift toward digital news consumption. 

While students still appreciate the convenience of televised news across campus, many acknowledge that smartphones, apps, and online news platforms provide immediate access to the information they need. 

Still, the televisions throughout campus buildings have long served as a shared source of information and awareness for students. If those broadcasts disappear, the way students stay connected to real-time news while on campus may change.