On Friday, President Bob Helmer and representatives from University Relations met with members of the executive board, Simon Skoutas, Hannah Wetmore and Alexis Watkins, and faculty advisor, Huixin Deng, to discuss the future of The Exponent.
At the meeting, Helmer confirmed that the print edition of The Exponent will not be cut amid the budget crisis, nor is the University’s intent to “put the burden of fundraising printing fees [which costs approximately $650 per print issue] on The Exponent editors and reporters.”
Since we received the notice that The Exponent might be forced to move entirely online to help Baldwin Wallace University “save money and reduce costs,” BW faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, donors, local businesses, local publishers, local journalists, local politicians, out-of-state student press advocacy groups, media law scholars, Case Western Reserve University’s student media and Berea residents have all voiced their concerns about the future of the award-winning Exponent through social media, phone calls and emails. They have also shown their unwavering support to our print editions through generous donations.
Upon hearing the news about the possible elimination of The Exponent’s print editions, Jack Marsh, co-founder and former chair of South Dakota News Watch and an Exponent editor in 1968-69, wrote his fellow classmates around the country to rally support.
“For my fellow BW alumni who value the role of independent student media, please join me in rallying behind the journalists who produce The Exponent and who keep us informed about our alma mater. Your voluntary donation of $200, $500 or $1,000 will help ensure The Exponent’s sustainability and continued printing of its bi-weekly edition,” Marsh wrote in the email, which was distributed among many BW alumni and parents.
Over the past two weeks, The Exponent has raised over $1,500 in donations and has since received supporting letters, quotes and comments from readers nationwide about the value of keeping the print edition of The Exponent.
The Exponent fully appreciates President Helmer’s decision and University Relations’s support of student media and freedom of expression on campus. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our beloved readers, alumni, parents and publishers for their faith and trust in print journalism.
Francesca Norsen Tate • Feb 11, 2024 at 4:25 pm
I salute Baldwin Wallace University on its wise decision to save and protect the print edition of the Exponent. As a BW alumna (Class of 1983) I honed my journalism skills on the Exponent staff, and for the past four decades have continued my print journalism career at the storied newspaper, the Brooklyn Eagle, originally founded in 1841 and revived almost 30 years ago. Our society needs its newspapers, at the collegiate and national levels, more than ever. I am thankful also to WBWC Radio, and (the late) Professor Connie Allen, who gave me the opportunity to write news and PSAs for the DJs to use on air. Thanks to BW and the Exponent, I have enjoyed and flourished in the news field. Please safeguard the Exponent’s future.
Francesca Norsen Tate • Feb 11, 2024 at 4:17 pm
I salute Baldwin Wallace University on its wise decision to save and protect the print edition of the Exponent. As a B-W alumna (Class of 1983) I honed my journalism skills on the Exponent staff, and for the past four decades have continued my print journalism career at the storied newspaper, the Brooklyn Eagle, originally founded in 1841 and revived almost 30 years ago. Our society need its newspapers, at the collegiate and national levels, more than ever. I am thankful also to WBWC Radio, and (the late) Professor Connie Allen, who gave me the opportunity to write news and PSAs for the DJs to use on air. Thanks to B-W and the Exponent, I have enjoyed and flourished in the news field. Please safeguard the Exponent’s future.
Rich Heileman • Feb 6, 2024 at 2:45 pm
BW’s student newspaper is doing a great job of covering a lot of area and campus news. Looking good, Exponent!