University asks independent, student-run newspaper to drop ‘Purdue’ from its name, while telling Exponent it will no longer help with distribution. Plus, a new 50-year plan for Purdue’s Indy campus
Of course Purdue waits until students leave campus to make this move. My take is that someone on Purdue’s legal team took a look at the relationship with the Exponent and saw potential liabilities.
I was taken aback when I first read this in substack but then again in the Exponent yesterday or today. Right below that front page headline was other news worth noting.
The way Purdue handled firing that entire Polytech department(don't recall its exact name) at that lady's retirement party (she led there for 30 years) was one of the least professional and cowardly firings I have ever heard of any company. It is beneath a university of Purdue's stature to fire a whole department at a retirement party. Seriously?
Since Lafayette doesn't really have much in the local news department except Dave's substack, the Exponent has had several news articles pertaining to the Lafayette community that never reaches the masses beyond those who actually work at Purdue.
I am glad the Exponent is staying despite any setbacks or roadblocks.
Tom, you may be correct about a) summer decisions, and b) perceived potential liabilities. IMHO, the fact that the Exponent has been completely independent for years, and somewhat critical of the past and current top administration is not a liability. This appears to be retribution for that criticism. It feels almost as though they are marching in line with the “suppress free speech” folks in hopes of protecting their federal grants by taking away the 8 A parking spaces in the Northwestern Garage and denying their ability to distribute papers on campus.
Hello That Substitute. I agree that Purdue University certainly wouldn't celebrate the criticism from The Purdue Exponent and it has probably played a role in how the University views the paper.
However, how is Purdue University denying The Purdue Exponent their ability to distribute papers on campus? They are still free to do so, just like every other private individual or organization:
From the summary:
"The Exponent remains free to distribute its printed material on campus, as does any other media. It is not an appropriate or sustainable practice for a public university to handle physical media distribution for a private business."
And from their original letter:
"To the extent the University maintains racks at designated campus access points for free publications, the Foundation will continue to have access to those racks on a non-exclusive, first-come, space-available basis for deposit of free copies of the The Exponent newspaper, subject to applicable University policies."
The university has been side-eyeing the Exponent for a long time, and recent reporting that Purdue administrators (incl legal) have been caught with their pants down curdled whatever goodwill was left. It's a shame because it's obviously opportunist and retaliatory, a loss to the community, a loss for students, a loss for the educational experience, and a loss for freedom of speech and viewpoint diversity that conservatives claim to love.
And it's dumb. Letting college students rail against the man is a time-honored tradition and the right thing to do.
Hello Lauren. Nice to see you engaged with Greater Lafayette news from afar.
How is this current announcement stopping The Purdue Exponent from continuing it's mission or abridging their free speech? I have full confidence that their staff will solve the new distribution challenge and continue as they were or stronger.
In the announcement, Purdue is implementing two changes and requesting one other:
1. Discontinuing the free help they were providing with the Materials Management Distribution Center, placing newspapers in distribution racks across campus and in buildings.
The letter clearly states that they can continue to use the racks on campus, but that they will be on a first-come-first-serve basis for all free publications in the community. The Purdue Exponent has already stated they will continue printing. I assume they will also be distributing the paper on campus, too. Albeit with a new distribution process and system.
2. Removing access to parking permits. The Purdue Exponent can pursue parking permits and access the same way everyone else can that isn't officially with the University. With many of the staff being students, they may already have permits.
3. Requesting to lose the Purdue name in their URL.
Interestingly enough, The University only requested to drop Purdue from the URL and not anything else.
---
While I agree these actions do not help The Purdue Exponent, it isn't robbing them of their First Amendment rights or creating a loss. New problems to solve? Certainly.
They can and will continue exercising their freedom of speech and press by reporting, printing, and distributing newspapers on and around campus every week.
The contract excuse I find silly as Purdue enters non-neutral contracts with individuals (e.g. Presidential Lecture Series) and entities (e.g. private businesses with non-neutral positions, policies, processes, etc) all of the time.
I agree with your point about Purdue University being upset with their coverage. Their reporting has/is playing a role in their relationship. Just as with all speech activity.
Hell. It might have played a role in not pursuing a contract with them again after the one in 2014 expired. It would be interesting if the Exponent shares more about those 2014 discussions to help flesh out the back story. Maybe something is in the archives.
I'm sure Purdue's top lawyer wasn't pleased with The Exponent's front page coverage of his DUI. Mung "Chamberlain" had better wake up and realize trying to appease Trump and his disciples in the Indiana Statehouse will not result in "peace in our time."
Well, here we are again with Purdue administration knuckling under to the maga insanity gripping this country from Washington to Indiana and West Lafayette. How many days a week does Purdue contact me to give them $? It seems daily. I suggest the alumni and residents of WL give your $ to support the PURDUE EXPONENT instead of one penny to our beloved university that caves out of fear of retribution from our evil politicians, whom our moronic magas elected. Now we have little baby king choosing the board of trustees for IU. The fact that he isn’t choosing Purdue’s yet, tells us that they are already aligned with his agenda!
Thanks, Christopher. My apologies for the confusion, I was referring to The Purdue Exponent decisions and not any others in my question.
I read about the IU board changes, the elimination of the DEI Office, and the reduction of degrees, along with the lack of push back and friction from the current Chiang administration.
Ha! Agreed. Arrogance is one hell of an intoxicant. And when combined with power, the outcomes are not beneficial or helpful except for those with or close to the power.
Regardless of how they deal with the trademark issue and the online address, we should all be sure to ONLY refer the newspaper as “The Purdue Exponent”.
The Purdue Exponent should consider going back to print 5 days a week during the school year and recruit volunteer Purdue staff members to place the newspapers in the racks.
As a former "paper boy" in a suburban neighborhood on Long Island, NY in the 1960s, I would be proud to revisit that part of my life to deliver the news.
Sign-me-up...but I would need to carve out time for my "Senior Wellness Class" Monday thru Thurday at 9:00am in the Dennis Center.
BTW - on "Lone-giland" we'd pronounce your name --- "Ammeri".😉
Just one more incident in trying to dismantle the free press in America. It's unfortunate that Purdue bends the knee so deeply. I feel this has to do with the potential take down of the Chinese American president of Purdue University. It's only a matter of time. UNLESS many of us stand up and stop this dismantling of the Constitution of the United States. Too many are too distracted, too pacified, too ignorant to see what is going on in America. Those things are rampant around here.
Hello CJLB. How is this dismantling The Purdue Exponent's freedom of the press?
They can and certainly will continue reporting, printing, and distributing their newspaper every week across campus, albeit without the help of the Materials Management Distribution Center.
Hello Noemi. I agree that Purdue University (not sure how much the Trustees are dictating on high, but I miss news all the time), is presenting new challenges to the Purdue Exponent by removing their 10+ years of non-contractual, free [I assume no assets changed hands] distribution labor via the Materials Management Distribution Center group.
(I still think there's a deeper story to the 2014 non-renewal. Anyone know anything? Dave? Another archive project.)
These latest actions certainly do not make it easier for the Purdue Exponent.
However, they are by no means fatal attacks. Nor do they dismantle their First Amendment rights.
Except for the silly name change request with the purdueexponent.org domain. Public entities preventing the public from using their name doesn't make sense from a funding standpoint, but that's another topic.
If you don’t explain it then you don’t have to admit uncomfortable or questionable decisions you make. I’m sure we can all come up with the most logical reasons for the decision and I bet every one of those reasons have something to do with the crappy political situation we find ourselves embroiled in now.
My point is that executives in Washington and Indianapolis appear to have no issue attacking university funding if they get butthurt by anyone connected to the university. So, when the Exponent starts publishing articles that butthurts Trump or Braun, you can expect the babies to attack Purdue just like they've done Hatvard and other universities. So, Mitch's man Chang took action to save Purdue funding, free press be damned. Is that clear enough for you?
Thanks, Malcolm. Now your comment makes more sense.
I see that as a strategy to save any perceived potential for reputational harm the Purdue Exponent might cause Purdue University.
What I don't see is how this is inhibiting the newspaper's First Amendment rights. I have the upmost confidence that the Purdue Exponent will continue being the journalism institution that it is without the assistance of the Materials Management Distribution Center or a few parking passes.
Now, if Purdue University starts to deny the Purdue Exponent access to events...that does begin to abridge their First Amendment rights.
Might be best as who knows what kind of fresh blackmail and extortion of funding may yet come from Washington and Indianapolis to get their propaganda published.
This attack on the first amendment is indirect, the direct harm is on the already precarious economics of putting out an ink-on-dead-trees newspaper. It is particularly interesting to discuss it on Substack, which has offered Dave a platform (one that I find more engaging than the J&C) that pretty nearly inverts the traditional economic model for print journalism.
These Exponent people bleed ink, so I'm not holding my breath for them to pop up on Substack, but that option exists as a means to exercise their free expression rights. It should reduce distribution costs and may be easier to sell ads on than Reddit, where much Purdue news is shared.
If Purdue lawyers made this move a year ago, talking about protecting the Purdue brand identity, it would be a lot less fraught. It sure seems like a knee-jerk response to the Harvard Law Review story, where Harvard University is getting demand letters instructing them to rein in an unaffiliated student-run publication.
It has been exceedingly simply for students to just grab a paper as they walk past a rack. Putting it online - despite the fact that all the students are online all the time - will change that. No more walking past and reading an intriguing headline.
Hello Phthor. While I agree that these three moves (no free distribution help, no more parking passes, and a request to change the URL) do not help the Purdue Exponent, how are they attacking the First Amendment indirectly?
The Purdue Exponent is still free to exercise all of its rights granted in the First Amendment.
In their letter and memo, they state that the newspaper is still free to distribute their paper in the racks on campus, but they will no longer be solely for the Purdue Exponent, making them first-come-first-serve infrastructure.
"The Exponent remains free to distribute its printed material on campus, as does any other media. It is not an appropriate or sustainable practice for a public university to handle physical media distribution for a private business."
There are a lot of creative opportunities for renewed interest and paper distribution (including your Substack idea):
- Hold morning distribution coffee events on Tuesday and Thursday at Fuel and other coffee shops
- A new volunteer role where student sign up for a building, pickup a bundle of papers, and place them in the racks.
- Encourage readers and supporters to carry a stack with them in their backpacks, distributing to people as they go throughout their day.
- Larger distribution sessions at near the Union / Memorial Mall / Class of 1950 when people are out and about
- Increase non-campus distribution places in the Village and beyond.
It will take more work than placing bundles on loading docks and having Purdue employees distribute them, but it isn't insurmountable.
I am not an attorney and don't know the nuance of the law surrounding trademarks of public entity names when used for the commercial activities of non-profits. I do find it strange they just asked to change the domain name.
Of course Purdue waits until students leave campus to make this move. My take is that someone on Purdue’s legal team took a look at the relationship with the Exponent and saw potential liabilities.
"The last vestige of a free society is a free press" - Thomas Jefferson
I was taken aback when I first read this in substack but then again in the Exponent yesterday or today. Right below that front page headline was other news worth noting.
The way Purdue handled firing that entire Polytech department(don't recall its exact name) at that lady's retirement party (she led there for 30 years) was one of the least professional and cowardly firings I have ever heard of any company. It is beneath a university of Purdue's stature to fire a whole department at a retirement party. Seriously?
Since Lafayette doesn't really have much in the local news department except Dave's substack, the Exponent has had several news articles pertaining to the Lafayette community that never reaches the masses beyond those who actually work at Purdue.
I am glad the Exponent is staying despite any setbacks or roadblocks.
The Exponent has provided some of the best reporting in town. I read it as regularly as I can, and I have nothing to do with Purdue.
Tom, you may be correct about a) summer decisions, and b) perceived potential liabilities. IMHO, the fact that the Exponent has been completely independent for years, and somewhat critical of the past and current top administration is not a liability. This appears to be retribution for that criticism. It feels almost as though they are marching in line with the “suppress free speech” folks in hopes of protecting their federal grants by taking away the 8 A parking spaces in the Northwestern Garage and denying their ability to distribute papers on campus.
Hello That Substitute. I agree that Purdue University certainly wouldn't celebrate the criticism from The Purdue Exponent and it has probably played a role in how the University views the paper.
However, how is Purdue University denying The Purdue Exponent their ability to distribute papers on campus? They are still free to do so, just like every other private individual or organization:
From the summary:
"The Exponent remains free to distribute its printed material on campus, as does any other media. It is not an appropriate or sustainable practice for a public university to handle physical media distribution for a private business."
And from their original letter:
"To the extent the University maintains racks at designated campus access points for free publications, the Foundation will continue to have access to those racks on a non-exclusive, first-come, space-available basis for deposit of free copies of the The Exponent newspaper, subject to applicable University policies."
Well of course. It would be so much easier to run a university if you did not have to deal with all these annoying students.
And don't get me started on the faculty!
Hello Tom. It's funny how a lot of major decisions in Greater Lafayette occur in the summer or during certain breaks.
As far as the relationship, do you mean the distribution one? The name? Both?
The university has been side-eyeing the Exponent for a long time, and recent reporting that Purdue administrators (incl legal) have been caught with their pants down curdled whatever goodwill was left. It's a shame because it's obviously opportunist and retaliatory, a loss to the community, a loss for students, a loss for the educational experience, and a loss for freedom of speech and viewpoint diversity that conservatives claim to love.
And it's dumb. Letting college students rail against the man is a time-honored tradition and the right thing to do.
Hello Lauren. Nice to see you engaged with Greater Lafayette news from afar.
How is this current announcement stopping The Purdue Exponent from continuing it's mission or abridging their free speech? I have full confidence that their staff will solve the new distribution challenge and continue as they were or stronger.
In the announcement, Purdue is implementing two changes and requesting one other:
1. Discontinuing the free help they were providing with the Materials Management Distribution Center, placing newspapers in distribution racks across campus and in buildings.
The letter clearly states that they can continue to use the racks on campus, but that they will be on a first-come-first-serve basis for all free publications in the community. The Purdue Exponent has already stated they will continue printing. I assume they will also be distributing the paper on campus, too. Albeit with a new distribution process and system.
2. Removing access to parking permits. The Purdue Exponent can pursue parking permits and access the same way everyone else can that isn't officially with the University. With many of the staff being students, they may already have permits.
3. Requesting to lose the Purdue name in their URL.
Interestingly enough, The University only requested to drop Purdue from the URL and not anything else.
---
While I agree these actions do not help The Purdue Exponent, it isn't robbing them of their First Amendment rights or creating a loss. New problems to solve? Certainly.
They can and will continue exercising their freedom of speech and press by reporting, printing, and distributing newspapers on and around campus every week.
The contract excuse I find silly as Purdue enters non-neutral contracts with individuals (e.g. Presidential Lecture Series) and entities (e.g. private businesses with non-neutral positions, policies, processes, etc) all of the time.
I agree with your point about Purdue University being upset with their coverage. Their reporting has/is playing a role in their relationship. Just as with all speech activity.
Hell. It might have played a role in not pursuing a contract with them again after the one in 2014 expired. It would be interesting if the Exponent shares more about those 2014 discussions to help flesh out the back story. Maybe something is in the archives.
I'm sure Purdue's top lawyer wasn't pleased with The Exponent's front page coverage of his DUI. Mung "Chamberlain" had better wake up and realize trying to appease Trump and his disciples in the Indiana Statehouse will not result in "peace in our time."
Well, here we are again with Purdue administration knuckling under to the maga insanity gripping this country from Washington to Indiana and West Lafayette. How many days a week does Purdue contact me to give them $? It seems daily. I suggest the alumni and residents of WL give your $ to support the PURDUE EXPONENT instead of one penny to our beloved university that caves out of fear of retribution from our evil politicians, whom our moronic magas elected. Now we have little baby king choosing the board of trustees for IU. The fact that he isn’t choosing Purdue’s yet, tells us that they are already aligned with his agenda!
Agreed on the donating to the Purdue Exponent, Cheryl. Great idea!
Here is how you can do it: https://www.purdueexponent.org/site/donate_to_the_exponent.html
Yes, my wife and also donated...and the paper made the link so easy!!
This step taken by the Admin is so petty...especially taking away parking slots!!! What is that all about??
I know the Exponent used to have an office where that parking garage is. Do they still?
According to their web site, yes. They are still located at 460 Northwestern Ave. on the second floor.
https://www.purdueexponent.org/site/contact.html
Chiang is terrified.
At every turn during the Trump administration, Mung has stalled, stiffled, and pushed off decisions.
He not only has to worry about MAGAt Mike Braun taking over Purdue as he has I.U.
But, more personally, he has to be watering his pants that Trump will ship him back to China.
Seems like Chiang trashing D.E.I. at Purdue might come back and bite him.
Perhaps he can get MAGA-adjacent Mitch Daniels to save his ass.
While Chiang may be terrified, what do you see as the connection between these decisions and that terror?
Not challenging Braun and his MAGAt hacks in the Legislative Assembly from interfering with Purdue's academic governance.
The latest is not only the elimination of DEI, but also dozens of major fields of study.
Thanks, Christopher. My apologies for the confusion, I was referring to The Purdue Exponent decisions and not any others in my question.
I read about the IU board changes, the elimination of the DEI Office, and the reduction of degrees, along with the lack of push back and friction from the current Chiang administration.
So much for local governance.
No problem, Z.
It's amazing how legislators and government executives think that by dint of election they are magically experts in all aspects of governing.
Well...I'm really not amazed when arrogance runs rampant.
Ha! Agreed. Arrogance is one hell of an intoxicant. And when combined with power, the outcomes are not beneficial or helpful except for those with or close to the power.
Such a shame to see Purdue lose its way!
Regardless of how they deal with the trademark issue and the online address, we should all be sure to ONLY refer the newspaper as “The Purdue Exponent”.
The Purdue Exponent should consider going back to print 5 days a week during the school year and recruit volunteer Purdue staff members to place the newspapers in the racks.
Also they should reach out to local residents and alum to help.
Anne-Marie,
As a former "paper boy" in a suburban neighborhood on Long Island, NY in the 1960s, I would be proud to revisit that part of my life to deliver the news.
Sign-me-up...but I would need to carve out time for my "Senior Wellness Class" Monday thru Thurday at 9:00am in the Dennis Center.
BTW - on "Lone-giland" we'd pronounce your name --- "Ammeri".😉
Sounds almost like how my French mom would pronounce my name - Annnnn Marrrry. My high school friends loved imitating her.
On Long Island it would have been AmAry.😉
Hello Mike. And that is what it shall be called!
I do miss the five days a week.
And I agree. Between The Purdue Exponent staff, volunteers, and Purdue faculty and staff, the paper will easily flow across campus as it is today.
Hopefully all of this attention will bring new energy to the organization.
Just one more incident in trying to dismantle the free press in America. It's unfortunate that Purdue bends the knee so deeply. I feel this has to do with the potential take down of the Chinese American president of Purdue University. It's only a matter of time. UNLESS many of us stand up and stop this dismantling of the Constitution of the United States. Too many are too distracted, too pacified, too ignorant to see what is going on in America. Those things are rampant around here.
Hello CJLB. How is this dismantling The Purdue Exponent's freedom of the press?
They can and certainly will continue reporting, printing, and distributing their newspaper every week across campus, albeit without the help of the Materials Management Distribution Center.
The trustees are just doing what they can to make it more difficult.
Hello Noemi. I agree that Purdue University (not sure how much the Trustees are dictating on high, but I miss news all the time), is presenting new challenges to the Purdue Exponent by removing their 10+ years of non-contractual, free [I assume no assets changed hands] distribution labor via the Materials Management Distribution Center group.
(I still think there's a deeper story to the 2014 non-renewal. Anyone know anything? Dave? Another archive project.)
These latest actions certainly do not make it easier for the Purdue Exponent.
However, they are by no means fatal attacks. Nor do they dismantle their First Amendment rights.
Except for the silly name change request with the purdueexponent.org domain. Public entities preventing the public from using their name doesn't make sense from a funding standpoint, but that's another topic.
The trustees are cowards. They should be supporting the excellent Exponent, not throwing roadblocks in front of it.
If you don’t explain it then you don’t have to admit uncomfortable or questionable decisions you make. I’m sure we can all come up with the most logical reasons for the decision and I bet every one of those reasons have something to do with the crappy political situation we find ourselves embroiled in now.
My point is that executives in Washington and Indianapolis appear to have no issue attacking university funding if they get butthurt by anyone connected to the university. So, when the Exponent starts publishing articles that butthurts Trump or Braun, you can expect the babies to attack Purdue just like they've done Hatvard and other universities. So, Mitch's man Chang took action to save Purdue funding, free press be damned. Is that clear enough for you?
Thanks, Malcolm. Now your comment makes more sense.
I see that as a strategy to save any perceived potential for reputational harm the Purdue Exponent might cause Purdue University.
What I don't see is how this is inhibiting the newspaper's First Amendment rights. I have the upmost confidence that the Purdue Exponent will continue being the journalism institution that it is without the assistance of the Materials Management Distribution Center or a few parking passes.
Now, if Purdue University starts to deny the Purdue Exponent access to events...that does begin to abridge their First Amendment rights.
Might be best as who knows what kind of fresh blackmail and extortion of funding may yet come from Washington and Indianapolis to get their propaganda published.
Hello Malcolm. I am not following you on this. Can you please explain?
This attack on the first amendment is indirect, the direct harm is on the already precarious economics of putting out an ink-on-dead-trees newspaper. It is particularly interesting to discuss it on Substack, which has offered Dave a platform (one that I find more engaging than the J&C) that pretty nearly inverts the traditional economic model for print journalism.
These Exponent people bleed ink, so I'm not holding my breath for them to pop up on Substack, but that option exists as a means to exercise their free expression rights. It should reduce distribution costs and may be easier to sell ads on than Reddit, where much Purdue news is shared.
If Purdue lawyers made this move a year ago, talking about protecting the Purdue brand identity, it would be a lot less fraught. It sure seems like a knee-jerk response to the Harvard Law Review story, where Harvard University is getting demand letters instructing them to rein in an unaffiliated student-run publication.
It has been exceedingly simply for students to just grab a paper as they walk past a rack. Putting it online - despite the fact that all the students are online all the time - will change that. No more walking past and reading an intriguing headline.
Hello Phthor. While I agree that these three moves (no free distribution help, no more parking passes, and a request to change the URL) do not help the Purdue Exponent, how are they attacking the First Amendment indirectly?
The Purdue Exponent is still free to exercise all of its rights granted in the First Amendment.
In their letter and memo, they state that the newspaper is still free to distribute their paper in the racks on campus, but they will no longer be solely for the Purdue Exponent, making them first-come-first-serve infrastructure.
"The Exponent remains free to distribute its printed material on campus, as does any other media. It is not an appropriate or sustainable practice for a public university to handle physical media distribution for a private business."
There are a lot of creative opportunities for renewed interest and paper distribution (including your Substack idea):
- Hold morning distribution coffee events on Tuesday and Thursday at Fuel and other coffee shops
- A new volunteer role where student sign up for a building, pickup a bundle of papers, and place them in the racks.
- Encourage readers and supporters to carry a stack with them in their backpacks, distributing to people as they go throughout their day.
- Larger distribution sessions at near the Union / Memorial Mall / Class of 1950 when people are out and about
- Increase non-campus distribution places in the Village and beyond.
It will take more work than placing bundles on loading docks and having Purdue employees distribute them, but it isn't insurmountable.
I am not an attorney and don't know the nuance of the law surrounding trademarks of public entity names when used for the commercial activities of non-profits. I do find it strange they just asked to change the domain name.