About The Puma Press

Our Mission Statement 

The Puma Press, as the official, student-produced media of University Prep, strives to create a publication that is journalistically responsible, intellectually courageous, and ethically reported and edited.

The Puma Press promotes student-driven democratic citizenship through public engagement with diverse voices and perspectives.

Student editors of The Puma Press are responsible for determining the news, opinion, feature, and advertising content included in each issue. The Puma Press is not an entity of the University Prep Communications Department. As a forum for student expression, The Puma Press does not reflect the views of University Prep’s administration, faculty and staff or board of trustees.

Our DEI Mission Statement 

Diversity is a vital part of upholding this responsibility, making our stories richer and more powerful. The Puma Press’s mission is to ensure our journalism and our newsroom staff are inclusive of race, gender, sexuality, religion, age and more.

Our Goals

The Puma Press provides a platform for student voice at University Prep. The goals of the newspaper are to dependably and credibly inform the student body and provide a public forum for exchange of ideas. In addition, The Puma Press serves as a platform for student development of sound journalistic practices.

Responsibilities of Student Journalists

Students who work on The Puma Press staff determine the content of their publication and are responsible for that content. These students should strive to produce media based upon professional standards of accuracy, objectivity and fairness; review material to improve conventions; and check and verify all facts and quotations.

 

Press Freedom Policy

 

Based on the PSJA model affirmation of student free expression rights in private and independent schools:

Preamble:  

Private and independent K-12 education has a vigorous tradition in the United States and in international schools around the world. From the venture schools and academies of the late 1700s to the wide array of education offerings of today, private and independent schools have sought to educate the next generation through innovative pedagogy, mission-driven values, and a commitment to community.  

Private and independent schools have also been fierce advocates for their students’ rights. The Society of Sisters sued the state of Oregon to ensure the rights of their students to attend a private school without violating that state’s compulsory education law in 1925 – and won. In the 1960s and ‘70s, “free schools” and “freedom schools” sought to teach young people how to take a more active role in their own education, to advocate for their rights and to create social change. Today’s schools continue those traditions, equipping tomorrow’s leaders with a thorough understanding of rights and responsibilities. 

As part of our dedication to the highest quality education that promotes student welfare and lives of service and engagement, University Prep affirms the right of freedom of expression for this academic community. We recognize the following:  

1. Private and independent schools are not bound by the same constitutional concerns as public schools, but our shared purpose of education suggests that a similar approach to student freedoms is both reasonable and wise;  
2. Freedom of expression is a fundamental principle in a democratic society granted by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution [and Washington’s New Voices Act RCWA 28A.600.027];  
3. Freedom of student expression has been recognized as vital by 17 states, as evidenced by their adoptions of “New Voices” laws designed to protect public school student press;  
4. Participation and engagement with a robust and free student press promote a range of academic and civic benefits that are both immediate and long-term;  
5. Teachers who defend their students’ freedom of expression uphold the tradition of preparing students for civic life but may do so at potential professional and personal risk.  

In light of these findings, University Prep adopts this Statement to uphold freedom of expression through school-sponsored media for our students, and the jobs of the teachers who appropriately support these rights, in order to encourage students to become educated, informed and responsible members of society.  

 

Definitions  

1. “School-sponsored media” means any material that is prepared, substantially written, published or broadcast, in any media, by a student journalist at University Prep under the direction of a student media adviser. Such material is primarily created to serve a student audience, but may be distributed and read far beyond the academic environment, including online. School-sponsored media does not include media intended for distribution or transmission for classroom purposes only.  
2. “Student journalist” means a University Prep student who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or prepares information for dissemination by school-sponsored media.  
3. “Student media adviser” means an individual employed, appointed, or designated by University Prep to supervise or provide instruction relating to school-sponsored media.  

  

University Prep’s commitment to student journalists’ freedom of expression  

With certain exceptions (see below) student journalists at University Prep have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media. Student journalists are responsible for determining the news, opinion, feature, and advertising content of school-sponsored media. Student media advisers may guide this process through instructing student journalists on the professional standards of journalism and English, elements of media law and ethics, media literacy and principles consistent with University Prep’s mission.  

  

Exceptions  

This Statement does not protect expression by a student that:  

1. Is libelous or slanderous;  
2. Constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy;  
3. Meets a category of speech is not protected by the First Amendment or local law;   
4. Advertises a product that is illegal for purchase or use by minors;  
5. Counters the deeply held values of the institution’s mission such that it threatens the orderly operation of the school (see point 6); or  
6. So incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of an unlawful act, the violation of a lawful school policy, or the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. Administrators must base a forecast of material and substantial disruption on specific facts, including past experience in the school and current events influencing student behavior, and not on undifferentiated fear or apprehension.  

 

Prior restraint and prior review  

University Prep affirms that prior restraint inhibits a robust and free student press and may only be used for student journalist expression that falls within an unprotected category. Similarly, prior review of material by administrators undermines trust with students to carry out ethical and responsible journalism. University Prep commits to working with the student journalist whenever possible to address concerns before publication in an effort to avoid prior restraint and review. If University Prep’s student media adviser or editors-in-chief become aware of a topic that might raise concern to the administration, they commit to notifying the administrators about the reporting process. Administrators reserve the right to ask questions or present concerns to student media advisers or editors-in-chief regarding school-sponsored media. Administrators acknowledge that student journalists must prioritize press deadlines and discussions should be held in a timely manner. Although administrators will not ask to see entire articles before print, student media advisers and student journalists may not withhold quotes or specific facts about what is included in school-sponsored media.

 

Disciplinary actions  

University Prep will not discipline a student journalist exercising freedom of expression or press in accordance with this Statement. A student media adviser who seeks to advocate for students engaging in expression that is protected by this Statement shall not be dismissed, suspended, reassigned or otherwise disciplined or coerced if such action is based on the adviser’s advocacy.  

  

University Prep’s right to expression  

As a private entity, University Prep similarly has a right to free expression. This Statement affirms that student journalist expression represents the perspectives of students and may not reflect those of our administrators, governing bodies, faculty or staff.  

  

Conclusion  

In issuing this Statement, University Prep seeks to ensure the benefits of a robust and free student press for the students under our care and to uphold the principle of free expression. We acknowledge that freedom of expression is both a right and a responsibility, and we embrace the challenge of teaching both to our students. In providing this affirmation of freedom, we aspire to both.