UVM hires new adviser without student media’s input; adviser threatens editor’s job

Tensions between UVM administration and The Vermont Cynic are high. After the editor refused to meet with the new adviser, she threatened his job and stipend, but said, “this is in no way a threat.”

VERMONT — When the University of Vermont instituted a hiring freeze due to COVID-19, the administration decided to hire an interim student media adviser already working at the school as a professor of English. But they did so without permission or input from the independent outlets that would work with this adviser. Now, just over… Continue reading UVM hires new adviser without student media’s input; adviser threatens editor’s job

Student media advisers say they’re anxious about going back to school during COVID-19

Some student media advisers are scared going into the fall semester—both for their students’ safety, and the state of their journalism programs. Photo by Engin Akyurt via Unsplash

Sarah Verpooten watched as a parent at an Aug. 3 school board meeting advocated for returning to in-person classes. He was speaking into the microphone when he pulled down his mask to wipe his nose, pulled his mask back up, and continued speaking. That meeting resulted in a “very surprising vote” to return to in-person… Continue reading Student media advisers say they’re anxious about going back to school during COVID-19

NEWS RELEASE: Colorado expands student press freedom; protects advisers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2020 Contact: Hillary Davis, New Voices Advocacy and Campaign Organizer hdavis@splc.org Governor Jared Polis has signed into law legislation expanding the press freedom of Colorado’s student journalists.  Sponsored by Rep. Barbara McLachlan (D-59), herself a former journalism teacher, HB20-1062 brings Colorado’s law in line with the other New Voices laws that have passed… Continue reading NEWS RELEASE: Colorado expands student press freedom; protects advisers

Student media advisers in new territory during campus shut downs over the coronavirus

Photo by Craig Whitehead on Unsplash

Editor’s note: Check out the Student Press Law Center’s guide to covering the coronavirus pandemic for resources and tips to help with your reporting. Advisers, see SPLC's resources for teaching remotely. How do you find story ideas when your students aren't at school? How do you transition tried-and-true lesson plans to work in an online format? How do… Continue reading Student media advisers in new territory during campus shut downs over the coronavirus

Student media adviser removed just nine days before semester begins

(Fernando Gallo [right] with a former student)

CALIFORNIA — A faculty adviser for a student newspaper in California was removed from his position less than two weeks before the fall semester began, a move the student editor believes was a result of critical coverage of administrators. For a single semester, Fernando Gallo, a former journalist, served as head adviser to the Inquirer,… Continue reading Student media adviser removed just nine days before semester begins

Kentucky university student newspaper struggles after loss of adviser and funding for student stipends

Gabrielle Crooks / The Rambler

6/13/19 UPDATE: Following the publication of this article, Transylvania University spokeswoman Megan Moloney reached out with the following statement: “There will be a staff adviser for the Rambler — we have stated that from the beginning. It is not accurate to say that it will be an unpaid faculty member.” In a later email, she… Continue reading Kentucky university student newspaper struggles after loss of adviser and funding for student stipends