Embedded Files
By: Audrey Clark and Emily Adams 11/12/25
Indiana University has recently come under fire for a decision they made about the IDS, Indiana Daily Student. This whole issue has been festering in the background of the IDS for a while. One of the first inklings of an issue was in 2021 when an article from the IDS says “The IDS effectively ran out of money in 2021” This began the long line of budget cuts and mistakes that eventually got them to where they are today.
This is the IDS Newspaper cover
This whole issue sparked when the IU administration told the Media student publications adviser, Jim Rodenbush, that they didn’t want the students to publish topics that didn’t align with homecoming. The administrators said that they only wanted special editions (small inserts that are in the regular newspaper) to be published from here on. The IDS didn’t like this because they want to run like a regular newspaper. However, the issue they run into is the administration funds them. Jim Rodenbush was the first to risk his job taking a stand against the administration. The termination letter they sent him said, “Your lack of leadership and ability to work in alignment with the University’s direction for the Student Media Plan is unacceptable. As a result, leadership has lost trust in your ability to lead and communicate appropriately on behalf of the University.”
Shortly after Rodenbushe's termination, printing was cut entirely. Since Rodenbush was the only reason they were still printing, administration didn’t feel the need to continue with it. This sent the whole IDS, and frankly everyone else, into a tizzy. This story started making it onto national newspapers and everyone was talking about how IU is trying to censor the IDS. The Daily Bruin wrote “Any effort to “dictate coverage — and any retribution in the form of stopping publication — is a violation not only of the norms of free press that underpin democratic society, but of I.U.’s own agreements with generations of student journalists, including the current editors,” Even the Exponent ,which is the Purdue newspaper, was even going so far as to offer to print a paper for the IDS. An article from the Exponent says “As the IDS’ print was cut entirely by IU, The Exponent offered to print and help distribute its publication for free. Initially, the IDS declined the offer, fearing expulsion of its student leaders and more firings of its professional staff if it does not comply with the university’s orders.The Exponent stands with the IDS and is making an effort to support it in any way possible.” Later, however, the Exponent printed and delivered special editions to the IU campus.
This is the Newspaper the Exponent published
This is Mia and Andrew at the IU campus
As of now the IDS is taking steps to improve this issue with the administration. Mia Hilkowitz Co-Editor and Chief of the IDS says, “Andrew Miller and I are represented by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which sent a letter to IU leadership asking for a meeting with us and our representation. This letter also detailed the violations of our rights. We've requested meetings with the Chancellor and Provost and have not heard back.” Jim Rodenbush as well has filed a lawsuit against the administrators as of October 14th. He filed it under the suppression of his First Amendment Rights. Finally after all this back and forth the administration started printing again.
This isn’t only an issue IDS is facing, it is a growing issue that would affect a ton of student journalists. As a student-run paper we want to make sure this censorship doesn’t continue affecting journalists. Censorship would make us loose the meaning and goal of our newspaper not only hurting us but others around.
The EJHS logo
Although this issue is not fully resolved, the IDS is taking steps in the right direction. They are fighting for their rights to make sure this doesn’t happen to any other schools. The Colts Chronicles is one of the many who stand with the IDS against this issue.
Page updated
Report abuse