The administration has officially reversed the decision to eliminate compensation for our staff members. This outcome is a direct result of the collective pressure applied by those who supported this initiative. We will remain vigilant to ensure that these commitments to the future of the publication are upheld.
August 6, 2019
Final supporters
UPDATE MAY 3:
This afternoon, members of The Rambler staff met with Interim Dean Michael Cairo and Vice President of Public Affairs Megan Moloney to discuss the future aspects of The Rambler for the 2019-2020 academic year.
At the meeting, Vice President Moloney and Dean Cairo asserted that there would be no overall funding cuts to The Rambler’s budget, but that there would be no monetary compensation or stipends contemplated for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The staff of The Rambler regards this meeting as an important step. Both parties are open to the idea of future meetings.
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We the staff of The Rambler have been informed that:
- The Rambler has been effectively de-funded for the 2019-2020 academic year.
- This includes the replacement of current student media adviser Tom Martin with an as-yet unnamed faculty adviser; the position will now be unpaid.
- This also includes the removal of any compensation for students writers, editors, and staffers for The Rambler going forward.
- Interim Dean Michael Cairo has stated that there will be retained a “small” budget to cover expenses like software, but has not provided a number.
We the staff of The Rambler express our concern that:
- The removal of contracts demonstrates that the University does not prioritize a professional level of writing and reporting in its media.
- The removal of a professional adviser demonstrates that the University is not committed to providing a level of professionalism appropriate to the University’s stated expectations for journalism.
- The sudden and unexplained decision raises grave concerns about the editorial independence of The Rambler going forward.
- The small dollar amount, relative to the University revenues and budgets, used to fund The Rambler will not significantly impact the University’s budget in either direction, and so we do not believe that the decision to de-fund The Rambler was made for purely financial reasons.
We the staff of The Rambler therefore petition that:
- The University reinstate funding levels for the 2019-2020 academic year and years following at a level equivalent to the funding level for the 2018-2019 academic year.
- The University commit to renewing the contract for Mr. Tom Martin or an adviser of comparable professional experience and stature.
- The University commit in writing to a policy of editorial independence for The Rambler, and that any changes in funding be approved by the professional adviser.
Until these commitments on the part of the University are met, we the staff of The Rambler will undertake:
- An immediate severing of all Rambler contracts with the University.
- An immediate demand that all back pay be issued to all staffers with all possible speed.
- An immediate shutdown of all Rambler sites, including transyrambler.com and ramblerextra.com.
- An immediate shutdown of all Rambler social media accounts.
Further, we the staff of The Rambler urge the Transylvania community to:
- Contact all University administration including and especially Transylvania University President Seamus Carey to urge him to support an editorially independent and fully-funded student journalistic organization at Transylvania University. President Carey may be reached at [email protected].
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
May 10, 2019
May 6, 2019
The petition reached one hundred signatures today. This response serves as a clear indication that the community values the preservation of student journalism.
Reached 100 supporters
May 3, 2019
75 Comments
As a member of the class of 1988, I know well that some of the smartest communicators of the classes before and after mine learned half their craft writing for, laying out, and distributing The Rambler. This is not just a nice thing to have; it's vital and relevant supplemental learning, and it's essential.
This newspaper allows for students to exercise the same liberal arts education that Transy provides. By taking away the Rambler, it takes away some of my sense of belonging and it takes away my respect that I have gained for Transy. Please think about that when you decide to defund the movements that are starting and evolving within this newspaper, thank you!
The Rambler is a service to Transylvania University students, faculty and staff as well as the community at large and beyond! I have personally shared some articles which have subsequently been appreciated around the country and several other countries around the world. Freedom of the Press is a responsibility of this institution!
As an alum, I am very disappointed in this decision. This is a time on our country when journalism is questioned as “fake news” and this perpetuates the question of accuracy, integrity, and information. This is not fitting with the mission of and my experience at Transy.
I loved working on The Rambler during my time at Transy, and I have so enjoyed seeing how much it has grown and evolved into what it is today. As an alumna and former editor in chief of this paper, this move by the school is highly disappointing.
I don't feel like the readership has been offered much explanation as to the apparently philosophical reasons for defunding the Rambler. I remember it as a important tool for students to investigate, learn about, and have structured conversations around matters that affected them and the institution. It's not obvious to me why the University has decided that kind of activity no longer deserves its modest support.
I attended Transy from 1985 to 1987 and worked on The Rambler. It was that work, in fact, that played a role in my leaving the university: I transferred to WKU to major in journalism. The foundation I received working at The Rambler helped my success in print journalism, including stints as assistant metro editor of The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus in Moline, Ill., and the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press. We were not paid at the time, but received a generous budget from the university and had editorial freedom. Cutting pay and staffing for the paper seems petty and unbecoming of the ideals of Transy. Shame on the administration!
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The administration has officially reversed the decision to eliminate compensation for our staff members. This outcome is a direct result of the collective pressure applied by those who supported this initiative. We will remain vigilant to ensure that these commitments to the future of the publication are upheld.
August 6, 2019
Final supporters
UPDATE MAY 3:
This afternoon, members of The Rambler staff met with Interim Dean Michael Cairo and Vice President of Public Affairs Megan Moloney to discuss the future aspects of The Rambler for the 2019-2020 academic year.
At the meeting, Vice President Moloney and Dean Cairo asserted that there would be no overall funding cuts to The Rambler’s budget, but that there would be no monetary compensation or stipends contemplated for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The staff of The Rambler regards this meeting as an important step. Both parties are open to the idea of future meetings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
We the staff of The Rambler have been informed that:
- The Rambler has been effectively de-funded for the 2019-2020 academic year.
- This includes the replacement of current student media adviser Tom Martin with an as-yet unnamed faculty adviser; the position will now be unpaid.
- This also includes the removal of any compensation for students writers, editors, and staffers for The Rambler going forward.
- Interim Dean Michael Cairo has stated that there will be retained a “small” budget to cover expenses like software, but has not provided a number.
We the staff of The Rambler express our concern that:
- The removal of contracts demonstrates that the University does not prioritize a professional level of writing and reporting in its media.
- The removal of a professional adviser demonstrates that the University is not committed to providing a level of professionalism appropriate to the University’s stated expectations for journalism.
- The sudden and unexplained decision raises grave concerns about the editorial independence of The Rambler going forward.
- The small dollar amount, relative to the University revenues and budgets, used to fund The Rambler will not significantly impact the University’s budget in either direction, and so we do not believe that the decision to de-fund The Rambler was made for purely financial reasons.
We the staff of The Rambler therefore petition that:
- The University reinstate funding levels for the 2019-2020 academic year and years following at a level equivalent to the funding level for the 2018-2019 academic year.
- The University commit to renewing the contract for Mr. Tom Martin or an adviser of comparable professional experience and stature.
- The University commit in writing to a policy of editorial independence for The Rambler, and that any changes in funding be approved by the professional adviser.
Until these commitments on the part of the University are met, we the staff of The Rambler will undertake:
- An immediate severing of all Rambler contracts with the University.
- An immediate demand that all back pay be issued to all staffers with all possible speed.
- An immediate shutdown of all Rambler sites, including transyrambler.com and ramblerextra.com.
- An immediate shutdown of all Rambler social media accounts.
Further, we the staff of The Rambler urge the Transylvania community to:
- Contact all University administration including and especially Transylvania University President Seamus Carey to urge him to support an editorially independent and fully-funded student journalistic organization at Transylvania University. President Carey may be reached at [email protected].
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
May 10, 2019
May 6, 2019
The petition reached one hundred signatures today. This response serves as a clear indication that the community values the preservation of student journalism.
Reached 100 supporters
May 3, 2019
75 Comments
The written student voice is very important and motivating to the student body. Taking that away from Transy is a huge mistake and will reduce the quality of students attracted to the school and even students remaining at the school. This is a very short-sited decision.
As a member of the class of 1988, I know well that some of the smartest communicators of the classes before and after mine learned half their craft writing for, laying out, and distributing The Rambler. This is not just a nice thing to have; it's vital and relevant supplemental learning, and it's essential.
This newspaper allows for students to exercise the same liberal arts education that Transy provides. By taking away the Rambler, it takes away some of my sense of belonging and it takes away my respect that I have gained for Transy. Please think about that when you decide to defund the movements that are starting and evolving within this newspaper, thank you!
The Rambler is a service to Transylvania University students, faculty and staff as well as the community at large and beyond! I have personally shared some articles which have subsequently been appreciated around the country and several other countries around the world. Freedom of the Press is a responsibility of this institution!
As an alum, I am very disappointed in this decision. This is a time on our country when journalism is questioned as “fake news” and this perpetuates the question of accuracy, integrity, and information. This is not fitting with the mission of and my experience at Transy.
I loved working on The Rambler during my time at Transy, and I have so enjoyed seeing how much it has grown and evolved into what it is today. As an alumna and former editor in chief of this paper, this move by the school is highly disappointing.
I don't feel like the readership has been offered much explanation as to the apparently philosophical reasons for defunding the Rambler. I remember it as a important tool for students to investigate, learn about, and have structured conversations around matters that affected them and the institution. It's not obvious to me why the University has decided that kind of activity no longer deserves its modest support.
I attended Transy from 1985 to 1987 and worked on The Rambler. It was that work, in fact, that played a role in my leaving the university: I transferred to WKU to major in journalism. The foundation I received working at The Rambler helped my success in print journalism, including stints as assistant metro editor of The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus in Moline, Ill., and the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press. We were not paid at the time, but received a generous budget from the university and had editorial freedom. Cutting pay and staffing for the paper seems petty and unbecoming of the ideals of Transy. Shame on the administration!
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The written student voice is very important and motivating to the student body. Taking that away from Transy is a huge mistake and will reduce the quality of students attracted to the school and even students remaining at the school. This is a very short-sited decision.