As both journalists and participants in the university community, student reporters are uniquely positioned to get inside information on campus happenings — and some are putting more resources into covering their cities.

Nick Roll was working on homework over a small coffee and a blueberry doughnut at Dunkin Donuts across the street from Ohio State University Monday morning when the message hit his phone.

"Buckeye Alert," it read. "Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College."

Roll, a senior and campus editor of OSU's The Lantern, packed up his laptop and charger and headed out. He wanted to get as close to the news as he could.

Happy for you, man.

Student Press Law Center

Update: Three students have admitted they stole these papers for a university prank, not because of controversial content on the front page.

Weren't considered working press.

Daily Egyptian threatened by elimination of student fee

They're like community papers. And therein lies the problem.

"Thanks for the bonfire material.”

"[W]e instill in our students a reverence for open government."

Ann Arbor News got beat by student publication on big story.