Alumni Petition for HOYA Independence

We the undersigned support efforts by The Hoya to become independent of Georgetown University. We applaud the universitys willingness to cede certain elements of autonomy to the paper; nevertheless, we believe that full independence is in the best interests of Georgetown, its students, and its alumni. There are many reasons to support independence, but as alumni we would like to highlight those we believe matter most to Georgetown graduates.

First, while it is hardly a disadvantage to have The Hoya on ones resume, its dependent status denies alumni the prestige that comes with working for an independent paper at one of Georgetowns cohort schools, such as The Daily Northwestern or the Stanford Cardinal. While employers recognize the effort that goes into any student publication, they also recognize the difference between what is essentially a university club and an independent, incorporated publication full editorial control, a robust business office, and a professional newsroom environment.

Second, an independent Hoya would better prepare students for professional careers, whether in journalism or elsewhere. Despite the fact that many Georgetown graduates wish to pursue jobs in print media, the university currently lacks any sort of structured journalism curriculum. This means that The Hoya is the best place for such students to receive such an education. However, dependence undercuts The Hoyas educational value in several ways: The lack of fiscal control prevents editors from spending sufficient time working with writers (as the editors often must pursue work-study jobs), and it impedes the timely purchase of necessary equipment. Moreover, independence would allow for a more robust business operation, allowing The Hoya, like The Corp, to become an excellent training ground for future business professionals. There is also a psychological element. Independence empowers staff members through greater responsibility; conversely, without a feeling of ultimate control over the paper, they are unlikely to commit the sort of time and energy necessary to learn their craft.

Third, independence would promote Georgetown as a destination for applicants interested in pursuing journalism after college. The university is one of only two in the US News and World Report top 25 without an independent newspaper, a fact not likely to be lost on those looking to receive training in print media.

While we recognize that the university has questions about the details of independence, we believe that they can be easily resolved. Not only do independent organizations (such as the Corp) already exist on campus, but several publications at major universities Virginia Tech, George Washington have recently made a similar transition. Ultimately, an independent student press is a requisite part of any modern American university community, and we see no reason why a school as strong as Georgetown should go lacking.

Were independence to occur, we as alumni are committed to helping the paper by providing financial help and expertise. For us, The Hoya was our Georgetown experience, and we believe independence can only strengthen our relationship to Georgetown.