Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t you just cut printing and go entirely digital?
Switching to a digital-only publication would result in a significant loss of revenue for The Collegian.
In 2018-2019, it cost $27,113 to print The Collegian. During that same time period, The Collegian sold $47,033 worth of print-only ads. Based on these numbers, switching to an online-only product would cause The Collegian to lose $19,920 in revenue.
To compensate for such a loss of revenue, The Collegian would have to reduce the number of students who could work for it, further diminishing the product. An additional issue with going paperless is that the ethnic supplements — which are printed — would lose their distribution channel.
Why can’t The Collegian just utilize unpaid interns?
Although we love volunteers and interns, in order to consistently put out products that are of professional quality, we will always need a certain amount of paid staff. The Collegian is a professional organization that employs students. We believe that, like all news organizations, employees should be compensated for their dedication and work.
Nationwide, paid employment for at least some of college newsrooms’ student staffers is the norm, not the exception. Locally, all print and online news and advertising outlets throughout the Central Valley pay their student employees.
If the Collegian were to stop paying Fresno State student employees, it would lose some of its prospective staff. We also compete with other on-campus entities for students; if we were unable to pay, we would lose even more.
What is the hiring process for journalists?
Employment at The Collegian is not reserved for journalism majors; it is a campus organization that is open to students of all majors. Applications are generally accepted at the end of the semester, and can be found here.
Staff positions are limited due to budget cuts, but contributors are always welcome. Visit our editorial staff for inquiries about becoming a contributor!
How does The Collegian use its money?
The Collegian, like any organization, is charged with being thoughtful and good stewards of all of its resources, including financial. All reputable organizations, of which The Collegian is one, must manage their budget in the spirit of their mission. For full details of how The Collegian’s finances, click here (insert hyperlink for “Financial Information Re 2019 Collegian Student Fee Increase Proposal). (See Kevin for full details.)
How is The Collegian independent from Fresno State?
How do other student newspapers get funding?
Who decides what stories get written?
Each week, Collegian editors and reporters hold editorial budget meetings to discuss and decide which stories will be covered. These decisions are based solely on the newsworthiness of potential stories. The Collegian’s mission is to provide content to the campus community that reflects all areas of student interest. If any group thinks it needs more coverage, group members should meet with editors to express their concerns.
Because The Collegian is an independent student newspaper, Fresno State and ASI do not have any power or responsibility for The Collegian. One of the most important pieces of the First Amendment– which includes freedom of the press– is that the press is not beholden to the government.
How is The Collegian going to actively include and engage with our minority students on campus?
See previous question.
Additionally, The Collegian publishes four ethnic supplements– each having the opportunity to publish twice per semester. They are Hye Sharzhoom, La Voz de Aztlan, Uhuru Na Umoja, and Asian Pacific Review. A student fee increase would allow The Collegian to print more ethnic supplements. These supplements are great opportunities for student groups to tell the campus what is going on.
How will The Collegian incorporate the individual colleges?
If The Collegian is able to secure its proposed student fee increase, each school or college on campus, as well as Student Affairs and student groups, would be offered the opportunity to put together one insert per semester to be placed inside The Collegian with content of their creation.
