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
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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."
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?
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!
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??
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
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.
Such a shame to see Purdue lose its way!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.