Vanguard, the student news publication for the Community College of Philadelphia, had been a continuously running publication since 1965, the same year the College opened for classes, until 2022 when a former faculty advisor, Eva Blackwell stepped down in lieu of a promotion. The publication meagerly resumed in 2023 under the direction of Administrative Advisor and Vice President of Enrollment Management & Strategic Communications Dr. Shannon Rooney. In May of 2024, Vice President of Enrollment Management & Strategic Communications Dr. Shannon Rooney stepped down as administrative advisor of Vanguard.

The funding and platform for the Vanguard resides under Director of Student Engagement Jenavia Weaver and Dr. Rooney. Faculty are reluctant to take up the substantial duties of advising the publication without the minimum concession of relief hours, meaning a full-time faculty member, who is required to teach 4 to 5 classes per semester would teach less and paid for advising the club as if it were a class.

Until the systemic dysfunction of administrators entirely disconnected from student life ameliorates, we will serve as community college students’ source for Philadelphia news, independent from the Community College of Philadelphia.

Community College of Philadelphia’s student newspaper, Vanguard, stands at a critical juncture. Currently housed in the Student Life Department, its editorial independence is compromised by its placement within an administrative structure that should remain entirely separate from the press. 

To truly honor the principles of a student publication, the Vanguard should be moved under the Communications Studies & Mass Media section within the English Department. Students working for the Vanguard would then have greater access to numerous English teachers with backgrounds in journalism. 

Students majoring in Communication Studies & Mass Media are required to complete internships. Working for the Vanguard could fulfill this requirement. This alignment would be mutually beneficial, providing Mass Media students with hands-on experience while improving the content and operation of the Vanguard.  

The need for this change extends beyond educational benefits—it affects the maintenance of press freedom. As of May 1st, all articles for the Vanguard must be submitted to the Director of Student Life, Jenavia Weaver, for approval before being uploaded to the website. This process places an administrative figure in the role of advisor, replacing a faculty member, and also as the de facto editor-in-chief, replacing a student leader. In this dual role Director Weaver holds the power to control what content is published. How could this still be a free and fair press? 

Given her responsibilities as an administrator, particularly in negotiations between the administration and the AFT Union, as well as her advisory role with the Student Government Association, there is a legitimate concern about how she can fairly separate these duties from the editorial decisions she makes for the Vanguard. This situation risks transforming the student newspaper into an administrative mouthpiece rather than a platform for free student expression. 

To ensure the Vanguard remains a truly independent voice for students, it must be moved under the academic umbrella of the English Department. This proposed shift is not just about optics; it addresses practical concerns for both the newspaper and the students involved. This shift will better serve the university’s educational mission, ease the responsibilities of the student life department, and safeguard the integrity of our student press. It is time for the Vanguard to stand free from administrative oversight and return to its rightful place as a champion of student journalism. 

The Vanguard has served as vital platform for student expression since 1965, but its current placement under the Student Life Department poses serious concerns for its editorial independence. To ensure that the Vanguard remains a true voice for students, we support the proposal to move it under the Communications Studies & Mass Media section within the English Department. 

The curriculum coordinator of Communication Studies & Mass Media has recognized the potential benefits of this move and is prepared to advocate for it within the department. We call on  the Dean of Liberal Studies to seriously consider this proposal and take the necessary steps to realign Vanguard under the appropriate academic department. 

However, we cannot rely on faculty alone to make this change. Student voices must be heard. If you are a student at CCP, urge Director Weaver to reconsider her role in the editorial process and support this transition to preserve the integrity of student journalism. Vanguard was the student publication; it is not your little club.