Need for revitalization postpones publication of ‘Uhuru’ until spring semester

Kristen Russo

Students who like to pick up student media publications at the end of each semester may find an old favorite missing.

The Student Media Policy Committee has announced that Uhuru, which began as the Black United Students’ newspaper, Black Watch, in 1969, will not be published this fall but will resume publication in the spring.

Editor Kevin Clark declined to comment on the matter, but Tim Moore, Uhuru adviser, and Lori Cantor, senior business manager in the Office of Student Media, said deadline issues were the reason for not publishing.

“We’re in the process of revitalizing Uhuru,” Cantor said. “We had some organizational issues this semester.”

Moore, who is also associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the magazine has faced deadline issues throughout its past, but Tara Pringle, a previous editor, proved the magazine could be produced on time.

“I refused to let things go back to the way they used to be,” Moore said. “That’s why I called for a halt on this publication process.”

Cantor said the photos, ads and stories that were ready for this semester’s issue will appear in the magazine next semester, along with an interview with President Lester Lefton about diversity and minority issues.

Uhuru, which means “freedom” in Swahili, publishes 5,000 copies each semester and has an annual budget of $14,000. Cantor said the bulk of that money goes toward student salaries and printing costs.

Although the magazine addresses minority issues, Cantor and Moore said students do not have to be minorities to contribute.

Students interested in working on the spring staff of Uhuru should contact Cantor at [email protected].

Contact College of Communication and Information reporter Kristen Russo at [email protected].