Student Media Facing Increasing Debt

Ricky Maranon, a staff writer at the Oklahoma Daily, works on a breaking news story Sunday afternoon. The Oklahoma Daily, as part of OU Student Media, is facing deficits and budget cuts. Photo by Hailey Branson

Note: Hailey Branson has been a paid employee of OU Student Media for seven semesters.

OU Student Media student payroll may be cut next semester if profits that have steadily declined do not pick up soon.

The organization's professional staff has so far avoided cutting student payroll, though the organization lost $57,000 in earnings during the last fiscal year. Student Media advertising revenue was below what was expected in both August and September, said Judy Gibbs Robinson, adviser to the Oklahoma Daily.

"Budget cuts are really concerning, but the most concerning part is the growing amount of these young people who are thinking the industry is dying and not just changing," said Jamie Hughes, editor-in-chief of the Daily.

The professional staff is holding numerous meetings, and the student staff of the Daily will meet soon to discuss how to make and deal with additional costs. If pay is not cut per individual, the newspaper might hire fewer people next semester and rely more on volunteers, Robinson said.

Listen to Judy Gibbs Robinson discuss budget cuts.