To the editors of the Indiana Daily Student,
In recent weeks, the university’s relationship with the Indiana Daily Student has been the subject of understandable concern and scrutiny. I want to speak directly to you — and to our broader community — about where things stand, what we have learned, and how we move forward together.
First and foremost, let me reaffirm that our commitment to a free and independent student press has never wavered. More than a publication, the IDS represents a public trust and a cornerstone of Indiana University’s educational mission. For generations, it has embodied the ideals of free inquiry, open debate, and journalistic rigor. I view these as critical values for our campus, as does Dean Tolchinsky.
As you know, a personnel decision was made on our campus regarding a staff member engaged with the IDS. While the university cannot speak about the details of that decision, I will note that it coincided with a convergence of long-term operational concerns related to the Student Media Action Plan and my recognition that an annual deficit approaching $300,000 is not infinitely sustainable. It was within this context that I chose to halt campus support for print editions of the paper.
The juxtaposition of the personnel matter and the budget-related decision to pause printing of the IDS fueled a perception that editorial content drove the decision not to print.
Let me be clear: my decision had nothing to do with editorial content of the IDS. And contrary to what has been posted on social media and published, Indiana University has never attempted to censor editorial content, period. The IDS is, and remains, editorially independent.
But perception, even when it is not grounded in fact, can carry the weight of reality. I recognize and accept that the campus has not handled recent decisions as well as we should have. Communication was uneven and timing imperfect.
At the same time, my examination of the IDS’s history makes clear that the challenges we face today are not new. There has not been a sustainable model for decades, and the long-term financial viability of the IDS cannot be dismissed as trivial, especially in this resource-constrained environment. Put simply, the IDS is not immune to the financial realities of this campus and higher education more generally.
As we move forward, I want to reaffirm three key commitments:
- Collaboration: We must ensure IDS leaders will have a seat at the table as we develop a plan for future operations.
- Editorial independence: We defend and will continue to protect the integrity of student journalism as a core tenet of this university.
- Preparation and support: We must continue providing resources and mentorship that equip student journalists to excel as media professionals, even as we balance essential financial stewardship.
We will continue to uphold a free and open press while responsibly stewarding public funds and families’ tuition dollars and further strengthening the learning experience for our students. That is my commitment.
Let’s take this moment as an opportunity to reset and reaffirm what unites us.
The Task Force on the Editorial Independence and Financial Sustainability of the IDS/Student Media provides us with this opportunity, a path forward to achieve clarity about a model that upholds our values and addresses decades-long financial challenges.
In advance of the task force’s work, I have authorized the financial office to allow the IDS, under the supervision of The Media School, to use their established budget through June 30, 2026, as the editors see fit—so long as they remain true to their budgetary parameters.
The IDS and the university share the same purpose: to serve truth, to educate with integrity, and to prepare students for success in a contemporary media landscape.
In this moment, we have an obligation to write the next chapter of the Indiana Daily Student, one built on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and an enduring belief in the power of a free press.
Sincerely,
David Reingold
Chancellor
Indiana University Bloomington