UW-Oshkosh Student Newspaper Faces Major Cash Crunch

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s student newspaper is on life support: The Advance Titan is $74,000 in debt and is looking for donations.

According to Vince Filak, the paper’s faculty advisor, the Advance Titan relies mostly on ad sales — not university or student funds — for its revenue. He said that’s largely what’s led to the deficit: National ad revenue has dried up, and the paper’s website doesn’t sell enough ads to make up the difference.

The Advance Titan owes the $74,000 amount to the university itself. The school has stepped in to pay for things like printing costs.

Filak, who is also president of the Wisconsin College Media Association, said many schools are struggling to find a new economic model. He contends school newspapers shouldn’t be expected to turn a profit.

“What it’s supposed to be is a both a learning tool and an exercise in First Amendment free speech and a free press,” Filak said.

UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said student staff should focus on the paper instead of worrying about repaying debt. Whatever happens, he said, UWO is committed to The Advance Titan.

“There’s no way as chancellor I would be a part of shutting down a 122-year-old newspaper,” he said.

Administrators and newspaper staff will meet this week to discuss the situation.