Norwich University student newspaper falls apart with management

NORTHFIELD — This semester, student journalists at Norwich University’s student newspaper, The Guidon, wanted to cover a variety of topics: university events, feature films, film and TV reviews, profiles of campus figures.

But the online-only The Guidon went months without publishing a single story; first because of a suspension by Norwich management and now because students are refusing to restart the paper unless the university meets certain conditions.

In a statement Published on The Guidon’s website In last week’s article titled “Why We Won’t Work,” students drafted a list of requirements that included the elimination of all control of the news organization and a statement from management confirming the paper’s independence.

The statement underscores the divide between student journalists and Northfield military university, prolonging a dispute that kept the more than century-old student newspaper published for months and sparking criticism of what many see as censorship of the student press.

“This is the first time The Guidon has been suspended in its 100-year and several-year history,” Guidon reporter and junior Bennett Oakes said in an interview Monday. “We are competing for Guidon’s independence.”

‘I’m just reporting the facts’

Executives said publicly: The Guidon suspended This period arose because student journalists were unprepared for the reporting task and the newspaper’s standards were not strict enough.

“Currently, students are not required to take journalism classes to work on or publish in the newspaper, and they do not have the training and mentoring that we feel is necessary to educate and prepare them for this important responsibility,” said Norwich Mayor Karen Gaines. in a message sent to the campus community on Oct. 10.

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However, students and faculty have noted that some of the paper’s final reports—especially stories about sexual assault The incident on campus this spring appeared to unsettle the university administration.

“We have a lot of hard-hitting articles we write toward the end of the year,” second-year Guidon reporter Kerry McAuley said in an interview. “And I think the school doesn’t like not to be talked about in a good way. But at the same time, bad things happen. We report both the good and the bad. We are just reporting the facts.”

The suspension decision sparked criticism that university leaders were censoring the newspaper. After VTDigger reported Guidon’s suspension, Norwich President John Broadmeadow, a retired lieutenant general, said: He released a statement on October 14 saying the paper might soon be able to do so. keep posting.

However, Broadmeadow said in its statement that the newspaper would still be under some administrative supervision. Broadmeadow said he had ordered the code of journalism ethics “to be submitted to me for my approval” and that the newspaper’s academic advisors would also provide oversight.

Such oversight would be unusual among student newspapers at institutions of higher education in Vermont.

Norwich University spokesman Marc Kolb did not call any Norwich administrators for interviews and did not answer specific questions about the situation.

“Guidon has permission to go live without any restrictions, requirements or management oversight, that’s the most important thing to know,” Kolb said in an email. “We hope they choose to release it soon. There are multiple advisors who offer a wide variety of perspectives, and students can draw on their advisors’ expertise as they see fit.”

Last month, Norwich appointed a second academic advisor to The Guidon, artist and filmmaker Christopher Wiersema, and established a “Student Media Advisory Committee” that aims to include student representatives from campus media organizations.

The committee was working on a draft code of ethics for student media groups, according to an Oct. 24 email Wiersema sent to students. The committee would also consult with a group of editors and reporters from professional Vermont media outlets, including Vermont Public, Community News Service and Valley Reporter, according to Wiersema’s email.

Wiersema could not be reached for comment by phone or email Tuesday. Guidon staff interviewed by VTDigger said they believed the advisory group of professional journalists never materialized. Students in the newspaper said they had no disagreements with Wiersema, but were skeptical of his appointment.

“It’s really hard to see this as anything other than faculty or administrative overreach because of everything that’s going on,” said Owen Clapp, a third-year staff writer.

‘Repair and remedy the damage’

Communications professor Shane Graber, who served as The Guidon’s sole academic advisor until Wiersema’s appointment, said all of the administration’s recent actions toward the newspaper have cast a “dark cloud” over The Guidon’s reputation.

“The fact that these committees and memorandums continue to be issued undermines their work and causes people to think, ‘Maybe they need this kind of oversight,'” Graber said in an interview. “’Maybe they’re not competent enough to do good journalism.’ I’m here to tell you they are.”

on November 5 Guidon staff released a statement The website states the conditions that must be met before the news outlet can continue reporting and publishing. The statement was the first post on the university’s website since the spring.

Newspaper staff are demanding that the university implement policies that allow student journalists to report without oversight or censorship; these policies are consistent with the policy in 2017. vermont statute“New Voices lawIt already protects student journalism in public institutions. As a private university, Norwich is not bound by this law.

Guidon also wants to withdraw university policies that require the paper to submit materials or documents to administrators for approval.

Guidon staff are seeking a statement of support from the university’s Department of Global Humanities, as well as a plan from Norwich’s principal, Gaines: “To help restore the newspaper’s reputation and reputation, whether intentional or not, The Guidon’s reputation to address and compensate for the harm done.” Students’ confidence in their future.”

In interviews, Guidon staff expressed their regret at not being able to publish. Lilian Lu, a third-year student and editor of The Guidon, said the lack of coverage in the newspaper means students may not be aware of what’s going on at the university.

“Our students don’t know what’s going on on campus, especially the incoming freshmen,” Lu said. “This is where they get the most information.”

Staff said that with the suspension of the newspaper the university community missed out on a variety of stories written by students, many of which would ironically reflect well on Norwich.

“I think the school could use some positive journalism,” McAuley said.