It's #SaveStudentNewsrooms Day. Working with @ringtumphi has been the cornerstone of my experience at Washington and Lee University, and my four years as a reporter and editor have shaped me in so many ways. Here's kind of a braggy thread, b/c we could use your support.

When @mayaklora and I took over @ringtumphi as editors-in-chief, we had big dreams for the independent student newspaper despite the $6,000 of debt we inherited and the difficulties that come w/ reporting on a private university. In one year, we made so many of those come true.

A lot of debt for a newspaper that thrives on independence. Our business editor devised an incredible subscription strategy & we redesigned the physical paper (now only printing every other week) to a tabloid to cut down costs. We cut down $4000 of that debt from August-March.

Our digital-first strategy included:
-breaking more news via social media
-250% increase in avg page views
-publishing more stories online than would fit in print
-launching a weekly newsletter for all on campus + off-campus subscribers
-website redesign

And most importantly, the staff of @ringtumphi pursued hard-hitting stories and follow-up coverage about our university community - and people paid attention.

-multiple lawsuits
-Title IX issues
-Mock Convention
-controversial alumni groups
-free speech
-covid-19 response

Since W&L began responding to covid-19 concern six weeks ago, @ringtumphi has published 27 stories + breaking news coverage w/ a remote staff of 10 reporters and editors scattered across the U.S. We've had to postpone printing and for now are publishing online + PDF issues.

None of us are paid for our work at @ringtumphi. We don't have a faculty adviser (just a hands-off alumni advisory board). We operate on subscriptions + print ads. We're a tiny staff at a private university of roughly 1800 undergrads, balancing classes and a global pandemic.

Student newsrooms like ours at @ringtumphi need your support now more than ever. Please reach out at [email protected] if you'd consider financially supporting the work we do (debt-free by graduation would be amazing)! As always, thank you for reading: http://ringtumphi.org .