Policies
Below is an overview of the Chicago Maroon‘s policies. If you have any questions, please contact the Executive Editors.
Statement of Purpose
Established in 1892, the Maroon serves as the editorially and financially independent student newspaper of the University of Chicago. The paper seeks to communicate unbiased information about the University and surrounding South Side communities. The Maroon is committed to journalistic practices that approach the truth from as many perspectives as possible. The Maroon prints on a biweekly schedule during the academic year and publishes daily online.
Editorial Independence
The Maroon strives to cover The University of Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods without fear or favor. The Maroon is, first and foremost, a newsroom, and then a student newsroom. The Maroon is committed to adhering to the highest ethical standards of journalism. The Maroon does not accept any payments to publish editorial content in any of the paper’s sections. Donations and advertising shall have no influence on editorial decisions.
Membership
All members of the Maroon must be students at the College at the University of Chicago and/or any graduate or professional school at the University of Chicago. All members of the Maroon are responsible for upholding the values enumerated in the statement of purpose. To this end, all members of the Maroon are expected to adhere to the Maroon’s basic values of journalistic ethics, respect, and decorum. Membership in the Maroon is granted upon contributing to any section (with the exception of Viewpoints, for which submissions do not confer or constitute membership). All members of the Maroon are entitled to an environment free from harassment and discrimination. All members of the Maroon are expected to treat one another with respect. The Maroon shall not tolerate behavior that threatens the physical, financial, or emotional well-being of staff. The Maroon shall not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form. The Maroon does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected military or veteran status, marital status, class year, political affiliation, other protected classes under the law.
Ethics Board
The Maroon’s Ethics Board has two primary missions. The first is ensuring equity in the Maroon’s internal operations. This is achieved by overseeing transparent and fair promotions and hearing harassment and discrimination complaints. The second mission is strengthening the Maroon’s reporting on issues considered sensitive in nature or otherwise presenting possible journalistic ethical concerns. This may include—but is not limited to—reviewing editorial content prior to publication; issuing guidelines to editorial sections about ensuring ethical and fair coverage; and reviewing the Maroon’s sourcing and pitching practices to promote robust coverage. The Ethics Board shall promote fairness in the Maroon’s internal operations by ensuring transparent and fair promotions, hearing harassment and discrimination complaints, and providing a space to discuss sensitive content. Any voting-eligible member of the Maroon is eligible to apply for the Ethics Board.
Editorial Board and Viewpoints
The Editorial Board shall produce editorials that respond to important issues and news events. It does not speak for the newsroom, the Executive Board, or the Maroon as an institution. Viewpoints are completely separated from the News section of the Maroon. Viewpoints nevertheless operates on facts to support opinions. Consequently, Viewpoints is subject to the same reporting standards as the rest of the Maroon, with a few exceptions and differences listed below.
Privacy Policy
