Purdue University Cuts Ties with Student-Run Publication

Purdue University has cut ties with "The Purdue Exponent", its independently run student newspaper, effective Thursday. The decision was announced in an email sent to the publication at 3:15 p.m. on Friday.According to "The Exponent", while their paper can still be delivered to newspaper racks around campus, Purdue University will no longer provide assistance with distribution. This change in policy has caused concern among the publication's staff and supporters of free speech."The Purdue Student Publishing Association is shocked by Purdue's sudden and seemingly without explanation change in policy, which runs counter to its long-standing commitment to the freedoms of the press afforded in the First Amendment," said a statement from the association at a meeting on Wednesday night. "The Exponent is committed to continuing its mission to serve the informational needs of Purdue and the surrounding community and to provide a realistic media working environment for Purdue students."As a result of the university's decision, "The Exponent" staff will no longer be able to purchase parking passes for the Northwestern Parking Garage, a space that has historically been reserved for members of the student paper. The publication has also contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization dedicated to defending free speech on college campuses.WISH-TV has reached out to Purdue University for a statement, which will be updated when more information becomes available.