The Quad News has read and analyzed the memo issued by Quinnipiac Vice President of Public Affairs Lynn Bushnell. The following statements are in response to the memo:
- The statement released by the University suggests that the former editors of The Chronicle have accused the University of reviewing their content prior to publication. There has never been an accusation such as this made to the administration or in the outside media by these editors.
- Although the memo refers to The Quad News as an "online-only paper/blog," it is actually an incorporated business venture that is in the process of becoming trademarked. The Quad News is an independent online-newspaper that covers the Quinnipiac community.
- Ms. Bushnell accuses The Quad News of being "decidedly hostile," and that they have "aggressively sought to undermine the continued existence of a University-supported newspaper for students." In fact, The Quad News' intentions have been the complete opposite. The Quad News has no ill-will towards The Chronicle and wishes them the best of success. The accusation that The Quad News has handed out "fliers and leaflets encouraging students NOT to work for The Chronicle," is unfounded and false. All fliers printed and handed out on campus have strictly promoted The Quad News and contained no language that discouraged writing for The Chronicle.
- The University's statement claims that The Quad News has been using the Quinnipiac chapter of The Society of Professional Journalists as a cover to use University space and resources. The QU chapter of SPJ was willing to share their meeting time and space for The Quad News' first two meetings of the fall semester. When The Quad News requested to reserve a room at Quinnipiac the description of the meeting in the room reservation form stated: "The Quinnipiac students that make up The Quad News, the independent student newspaper of Quinnipiac University, will meet once a week to discuss editorial and business matters. It is also a time for the editorial staff to answer the questions of journalism students / writers, and to teach them specific reporting skills that would promote respectable, lawful, and accurate reporting and writing as they cover the Quinnipiac community."
The room reservation description clearly states that the room would be used by The Quad News, and was officially approved by Ms. Esther DeAngelis, from Campus Reservation and Information on August 18, 2008. In our meeting on campus, the SPJ faculty advisor and student board members were present to promote their organization and to encourage all students in attendance to join their organization. Days after, Mr. Daniel Brown, Director of the Student Center, met with Quad News editors to inform them that their room reservations had been canceled for the rest of the semester. The Quad News did not attempt to undermine the University by reserving space on campus through SPJ. Since that discussion with Mr. Brown, The Quad News has found alternative ways to meet, ways which don't conflict with University policy.
- According to Ms. Bushnell, last year's editor, Mr. Jason Braff, "chose not to abide by the written rules and regulations which he agreed to in writing at the beginning of the year." Ms. Bushnell further stated that Mr. Braff agreed to the policy stating that stories not be published on The Chronicle web site before the stories were published in print paper. Mr. Braff and last year's Chronicle staff never broke this policy. Also, after Mr. Braff and his staff made loose-leaf fliers with the story they had wished to publish to hand out on campus, the administration told them not to, and they complied. Furthermore, Mr. Braff signed a letter later in the year ensuring the administration that he and his staff would not break the policy, and they did not break it.
- The Quad News has publicly and privately wished the Editor-in-chief, Publisher and the Manager of Student Media Organizations of The Chronicle the best of success in their endeavors.
Having two newspapers covering the Quinnipiac community will strengthen journalism on campus by providing the students of Quinnipiac more opportunities to practice their craft. The editors of The Quad News also believe that a friendly competition with The Chronicle will improve the writing in both newspapers.
On September 10 The Quad News reached out to Ms. Bushnell and Mr. John Morgan, associate vice president of public relations, to meet and discuss the relationship between The Quad News and the University. As of September 13 The Quad News has not received a response from Ms. Bushnell and Mr. Morgan about a potential meeting.
The Quad News believes that the memo released by the University clearly illustrates how the lack of dialogue on campus has led to serious misunderstandings. Yet The Quad News hopes the damage is not irreversible and that student journalists at Quinnipiac can once again practice their craft on campus, both at The Quad News and at The Chronicle.
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