Press freedom guidelines

These guidelines have been agreed to by the provost’s office and the editorial board as of March 25, 2026.

I. Statement of policy

Ithaca College recognizes that freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression are essential elements in a campus community. Ithaca College policy affirms the freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression of students and student organizations.

It is the college’s intent that Ithaca College student media will provide a full opportunity for its students to inquire, question and exchange ideas and that they will strive to reflect all areas of student interest, including topics about which there may be dissent or controversy.

Because it is the policy of Ithaca College that student communications media are free of censorship and advance approval of copy, the following guidelines relate only to establishing grounds for actions subsequent to publication.

Any disciplinary action will be conducted pursuant to the Student Conduct Code

II. College-sponsored student media

A. Responsibilities of student journalists

Editors and managers of The Ithacan are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves.

B. Unprotected expression

This policy does not authorize or protect school-sponsored media that is unlawful, disrupts the essential operation of the institution, and/or violates the Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order found in Section 2.31 of the Ithaca College Policy Manual.

C. Free Expression

1. General

In accordance with Section 7.1.2.2.4 of the Ithaca College Policy Manual, Ithaca College will not:

a. Cut off funds to The Ithacan because of disagreement over editorial policy;

b. Prohibit criticism of the policies, practices or performance of faculty, college officials, the college itself or of any public officials;

c. Ban student expression solely because it is controversial, takes extreme, “fringe” or minority opinions, or is distasteful, unpopular or unpleasant;

d. Ban the publication or distribution of material relating to sexual issues;

e. Censor or punish the occasional use of indecent, vulgar or so-called “four-letter” words in student publications;

f. Censor a publication or punish or fire student editors for grammatical, spelling or other errors that may diminish the “quality” of The Ithacan;

g. Ban the publication or distribution by students of material written by non-students;

h. Engage in any activity or cause to be done to The Ithacan, anything where the effect is to control, diminish, manipulate or otherwise censor student media or to dismiss, punish or retaliate against staff where such action is motivated by the otherwise lawful content or newsgathering activities of the publication.

2. Commercial speech

Advertising is constitutionally protected expression. The Ithacan may accept advertising. Per The Ithacan’s advertising policies, the following types of advertisements are not allowed:

1. Advertising that promotes the excessive and/or irresponsible consumption of alcohol including but not limited to “all you can drink” specials and special drink prices, in compliance with the Ithaca College Solicitation and Advertising Policy.

2. Advertising, promoting the writing of, or sale of pre-written term papers, as the sale of such items is in direct conflict with the academic mission of the institution.

3. Any and all advertising for any issue that does not align with the standards of The Ithacan and Ithaca College as a whole.

D. Online student media and use of electronic information resources

1. Online/Digital Student Media. The Ithacan may use internet-based media as they would any other communications media to reach an audience both inside and outside the college. The Freedom of Expression Policy (7.1.2.2.4) applies to internet-based media.

2. Electronic Information Resources. Student journalists may use online and other electronic information resources on the same terms as all other students, consistent with the College’s Acceptable Use Policies.

3. Student journalists shall abide by the College’s Technology Use Policies (Section 2.10 of the Policy Manual)

III. Adviser job security

In accordance with the Freedom of Expression policy, the adviser of The Ithacan will not be fired, transferred or removed from their position by reason of his or her refusal to censor the free expression of student journalists that does not violate law or college policy.

IV. Prior review/restraint

The Ithacan will not be subjected to mandatory review by college administrators, faculty or employees prior to publication or withheld from distribution. The Ithacan’s staff and editorial board, not school officials, are responsible for independently determining its content.

V. Amending guidelines

To amend any guidelines, the editor-in-chief and the student media adviser will propose revisions to the provost and general counsel. Upon discussion and agreement, guidelines can be amended and should be republished on The Ithacan’s website, indicating the latest date on which they were agreed upon