“To inform, to serve.” These four words run The Setonian newsroom as we strive to publish our finest work, all from a room the size of a walk-in closet in the University Center.
I transferred to SHU in the fall of 2024, nervous about who I’d meet and what new opportunities I’d have.
Before SHU, I attended Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. I spent some time there as a Features staff writer for The Temple News (TTN). I scanned my OwlCard ID to enter the newsroom on my first day, also located in the university’s student center, and was amazed by the resources provided.
I stood in front of rows and rows of Mac desktop computers, printers, a separate space with a TV and a large table designated for pitching stories, meetings with freelancers or other staff members, and a newsroom with plenty of room for all staff members. Not to mention, my role as a staff writer for TTN was paid.
I left TTN with high hopes for my next journey: Seton Hall.
In August 2024, I applied to be The Setonian’s News copy editor. Before even starting at my new school, I already felt at home and accomplished knowing I could be a part of another reputable student publication.
During my interview, I met Rachel Suazo, the editor-in-chief, and Esmeralda Arias, the managing editor. Although I was nervous, the two made me feel comfortable, as if I were talking to girls I had known for years.
Aug. 26 rolled around, and I had similar newsroom layout expectations for SHU. That day, at 5:30 p.m., I did not find myself scanning into a room full of computers, cubicles, and meeting space, but a closet. A cinderblock-walled room, painted gray, located between the girls' and boys' bathrooms, where before anyone can get a word in, you hear the sound of bathroom gossip or toilets flushing.
On the bright side, my first day at The Setonian was filled with laughter, community, and support. I value my peers and am thankful to be a part of an empowering team. The people who make up this newsroom are incredibly dedicated to their craft and work day and night to publish articles for our university. I am beyond proud to be a part of such a dedicated and supportive team.
However, our laughter and passion tend to be cut short because, other than the bathrooms, we are also next to Campus Ministry. We have received a few complaints from our neighbors that we are being too loud. As a creative staff, this “loudness” comes with our publication. We are excited about our stories and hype each other up daily.
In addition, as a newsroom, we discuss a lot of breaking news. Due to privacy reasons, it would be most appropriate for our newsroom to remain confidential and be in a space where our neighbors cannot listen in.
If The Setonian were placed in a bigger, more professional space where we could express ourselves and maintain confidentiality, this would not be an issue. That way both parties, The Setonian and Campus Ministry, can benefit from this.
I thought to myself, if SHU prides itself on its college of communication, then why are we in a closet with limited resources? Does our newsroom location speak to how the university truly feels about us?
SHU made a great deal regarding the centennial celebration and even held an exhibition at the Walsh Gallery. They take pride in a newspaper that has been run for 100 years, but they refrain from giving us the resources to continue.
At my transfer orientation, I heard staff members boast about the reputation of The Setonian, and this is the newsroom we deserve? I think not.
When SHU decided to renovate the University Center in 2021, how come they built a wholly equipped news studio for SHU TV (formerly known as PirateTV) and then found an extra small room and said: “This would be perfect for The Setonian.”
Arguably, as a publication, we are understaffed. And even being understaffed, there are 12 active editorial board members of The Setonian and 10 chairs in the newsroom.
There are two smaller tables placed together that sit along the center of the room, and eight of the 10 chairs are squeezed in to fit. The others are two lounge chairs located against the wall to the right as you walk in.
A large whiteboard stretches across the wall, which has helped keep track of important dates and notes. With ever-growing technology, SHU should be able to keep up with the times. A projector would be more useful and appropriate to showcase our storyboards when we discuss pitches during meetings.
One of the most useful resources provided in the newsroom might arguably be the microwave, since we are not given any newsroom-designated computers or technology.
I find it ironic for a university to express so much pride in its student organizations; however, they are not given the proper resources. Other news organizations on campus, such as SHU TV or WSOU, have large spaces with enough room, desks, proper technology, and resources to help their organization flourish. Not to mention more alleged funding.
The Setonian, however, gets a closet.
I find it unfair, especially coming from a previous institution that gave equal amounts of attention and resources to a newspaper.
Students who write for us or the members of the E-Board should be getting realistic newsroom experience that can be taken into the workforce. Without proper equipment and enough space, we are unable to do so. This ultimately hurts our staff because we are unable to perform to our fullest ability.
With computers in the newsroom, The Setonian e-board members can access their work all in one place. Students will be able to use these computers to write, edit, and upload stories to SEO.
In addition, once print issues are back up and running, these computers will be designated for the layout and design of the paper. We are an Adobe campus, so Adobe platforms will be installed for editors to use, InDesign for page layouts, or even for photo editors to enhance their photography by having one space to edit on Lightroom or Photoshop.
With a larger and more professional-looking newsroom, e-board members will be able to meet comfortably, allowing less focus on how many of us can squeeze into the newsroom table and more focus on our stories.
Each section of the publication will also be able to meet in person with staff writers, that way there is more of a personal connection and form of communication. Having more room to meet in person with writers will help them grow.
The Setonian can host workshops and open houses to meet the staff and learn more about journalism. In addition, the newsroom may be used as a space to host interviews for stories in a professional environment. This cannot properly be done in a closet with minimal resources.
There are many reasons to be hopeful for improvements, but as of now, The Setonian lacks the resources available to other campus media organizations.
I am writing this statement to the university for there to be acknowledgement of the conditions that The Setonian e-board members endure, and to address these issues.
Sofia Kasbo is the assistant editor for The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at sofia.kasbo@student.shu.edu.
