Europe’s longest-standing student newspaper has dodged the grim prospect of closure, thanks to a successful online fundraising campaign garnering upwards of £2,000.
Steeped in history dating back to 1887, the lauded the Student newspaper was established by Robert Louis Stevenson, renowned author of Treasure Island. The paper operates out of Edinburgh University yet is financially autonomous from the institution and the students’ association. Thus, it relies significantly on advertising and philanthropic endeavours to ensure its survival.
Earlier in the year, the paper’s fiscal security was thrown into peril due to the cessation of a key advertiser. Editor-in-chief of the Student, Joe Sullivan, conveyed to BBC Scotland News that coping with financial constraints had become increasingly strenuous, threatening the publication’s capacity to sustain its printing costs.
The newspaper, which has successfully maintained its print edition for an admirable 186 years, recognized the value of physical dissemination across the university’s landscape. Sullivan declared, “Our tangible presence across all student sectors of Edinburgh, manifested in print on counters and newsstands—without it, our survival as a digital publication may become a precarious endeavor.”
On October 5, a fundraising initiative was set up, aiming to secure £1,000. The campaign exceeded expectations and collected a total of over £2,000. Expressing exuberance and gratitude, Sullivan stated, “We have surpassed our initial target two-fold. It’s been incredibly uplifting to acknowledge that the generous donations have come from a diversified collective, most notably from within the student community and our dedicated readers who are eager to see our printing persist.”
The bulk of these community contributions will be channeled towards the newspaper’s printing expenses, with the remaining funds serving to upgrade equipment necessary for optimum newspaper production.
The Student’s list of alumni features some illustrious names, including Laura Kuenssberg, Helen Pidd, Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, and James Kirkup. The editorial team is currently composed of 25 dedicated volunteers. Prior to the fundraising endeavor, the editors had explored the option of university funding. However, the importance of editorial and financial independence eventually prevailed.
Sullivan voiced, “Our impact is often substantially amplified when we report on the University and the students’ association, and it’s not always rosy narrative. Maintaining our financial and editorial independence equips us better to provide our reader base with authentic reporting on the ongoing developments within the university.”
