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- The administration told a 122-year-old paper to stop printing. Its staff had other ideas.
The administration told a 122-year-old paper to stop printing. Its staff had other ideas.
Plus, an interviewing tip sheet, a mental health guide and ideas for campus/professional partnerships.

From left: Mikaila Kraus, Kyler Lanning, Ella Spurlock, Andrew Frazier, Victor Lopez-Santizo, and Jessey Kollie, members of the new independent student newspaper at the University of Central Oklahoma. (Courtesy)
I'm pretty sure I scared the hell out of Andrew Frazier when I met him in person. I ignored his hand, outstretched for a shake, and instead gave him a big hug.
He is the editor of the new Independent View at the University of Central Oklahoma, where the school's 122-year-old school paper, The Vista, was forbidden from printing for the academic year.
Along with some other folks from CMA and SPJ, I've been helping Andrew and his team of student journalists virtually, and in that moment, my mama bear instincts just took over.
There has been local media coverage, a damning letter from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a donation site from a community foundation and more FOIAed emails and official meeting minutes than you can shake a stick at.
Through it all, Andrew and his team kept their heads down and focused on the goal: to regain their independence and reclaim their editorial voice on campus.
What has played out at UCO over the last several months is both complicated and simple.
It’s complicated because of the many administrative decisions that were made, partners who stepped up, and personalities who refused to back down — on both sides.
It's simple for this reason:

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Inside this week's newsletter:
- • An interviewing tip sheet
- • Mental health resources for journalists
- • How one professional/campus partnership gets big bylines
- • And much more!