Letter from the Editor: A call for support

Dear members of the Lafayette community,

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspaper, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”—Thomas Jefferson

For years, student government has underfunded The Lafayette student newspaper. Until now, this has not been a problem. The Lafayette had a reserve account that was used to cover the majority of the newspaper’s core expenses.

But now that money is gone. After multiple meetings over a period of months, student government did not vote to allocate the newspaper sufficient funds to print until the end of the semester.

There are now serious concerns about the future of the oldest college newspaper in Pennsylvania.

Some members of student government questioned the value of The Lafayette to the campus. A college newspaper is an integral part of any college, and Lafayette has a long tradition of supporting the newspaper’s publication.

The Lafayette newspaper has provided a voice to the Lafayette community since September 1, 1870. We shine a light on the information that students, staff members, administrators, alumni and faculty have a right to know.

 

Without a newspaper, the Lafayette community loses its voice.

 

If you value freedom of the press, an independent news source on campus or believe The Lafayette is a fundamental part of campus life, please let student government know. Email them at [email protected] or post on their Facebook or Twitter. It can be something as simple as “I support The Lafayette” or #SupportTheLafayette. Right now we need your support in order to ensure the future of the college’s student newspaper.

 

Sincerely yours,

William W. Gordon ‘17
Editor-in-Chief