Dear CSU Sacramento Decision Makers,

As the journalism faculty adviser at Santa Rosa Junior College, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of locating a campus news office not only on campus but in the hub of campus activity. When working with my own administration on locations for the SRJC Oak Leaf, I have often pointed to CSU Sacramento as an example of a college that values its student journalism program so much it places the newsroom inside the student union. To move the newsroom off campus will no doubt harm student journalists’ ability to be the daily historians and student voices of their college. Making news reporting inconvenient will likely reduce the quantity and quality of The Hornet’s coverage. It’s akin to relocating the Sacramento Bee offices to Folsom or Stockton.

Furthermore, campus news reporting is the cornerstone of a solid journalism program. Over the past 10 years, I have sent dozens of SRJC students to Sacramento State to pursue journalism degrees and always encouraged them to join The State Hornet to get needed career training. Should The Hornet be forced off campus, I would advise students not to apply to Sac State’s journalism program, at least for the next two years. If the university doesn’t value a key element of its journalism program, why should I endorse the university?

Anne Belden

Journalism Faculty Adviser

Santa Rosa Junior College