The Middlebury Campus is not only embedded into the fabric of the school but also the local community. With 121 years of institutional knowledge, The Campus operates as an archival time capsule, preserving history and time through the written word. Over the years, the paper has crafted a rich legacy defined by the student voice, advocacy and robust contributions to its community. The Campus is not some abstract, omnipresent entity. Instead, it is in direct and continuous conversation with the Middlebury community, evolving everyday alongside the college.
As the purest form of student journalism, The Campus is an institution designed for accountability. It is a product of the student body itself — we investigate, write and report on issues of our choice, untainted by bureaucratic interests and authoritative appeasement. We provide a voice for people who might otherwise go unrepresented and are not afraid to critique the school and, even, our own behavior as students. We do not exist as an extension of the Middlebury administration, pushing a polished agenda and image that paints Middlebury through rose-colored glasses. We are more than the limits of an admissions website; we tackle difficult conversations head on and directly address and scrutinize issues on campus. The Campus also brings together a diverse collection of individuals, providing outlets of expression for anyone who wants to be heard.
The Campus’ undeniable impact on the community and its coverage of fragile issues demands sensitivity. Middlebury is a small college in a small town, leading to an immense responsibility to our peers, staff, faculty and the local community. The Campus is committed to comprehensive reporting while retaining ethical journalism practices by understanding the context in which we are situated. The Campus holds itself to the highest standards and meets these expectations in an unbiased search for the truth. We understand the impact The Campus can have on the reflection of individuals and their experiences, and we approach this reality with transparency and trust in every interaction. There is an obligation inherent to the role of free press: communicating the truth. However, in the search for stories, there is a concurrent responsibility to serve the community and its interests, which requires reason and humility.
In addition, The Campus is a valuable link between the broader Middlebury community and the college itself. The relationship between the town and the campus can sometimes be strained due to factors like economic dependencies and power imbalances, and this can often lead to a perceivable disconnect. The Campus closes this gap and strengthens this bond for mutual benefit. Community members gain insight into campus life and student perspectives through comprehensive reporting. On the other side, students are introduced to aspects of the community that might otherwise remain obscured from view, such as the recent 50th Anniversary of Round Robin, an upscale resale store located at Marble Works, or the 12th annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival. By staying updated on local news and events, it encourages students to explore the town of Middlebury and the greater Addison County and, subsequently, find inspiration and opportunities for growth from these vibrant communities.
We are in an age defined by the rapid advancements of AI as it pervades our classrooms, our workforce and our daily lives. With the increasing tendency to pawn off responsibilities to machines, we are simultaneously witnessing a loss in human creation and experiment. As AI machines spit out unoriginal and dull scripts, there needs to be a recommitment to the art of writing and authenticity. The Campus is a place that preserves this meaningful connection to humanity, serving as a forum for critical discussion, open debate and raw human capacity. The Editorial Board itself is an example of this dedication to reflection and deliberation — a group of students coming together every Sunday night to engage in stimulating discourse and shaping the distinct voice of The Campus.
We encourage anyone who is interested to join the conversation. Students, faculty, and staff are welcomed and encouraged to contribute their thoughts on any topic relating to campus affairs whether personal, political, social — by submitting an op-ed for the Opinion section.
The Campus is a place where curiosity and the written word is valued rather than penalized. It is a space for people to come together, engage in conversation and write intentionally under the guidance and support of peers. It represents the essence of a liberal arts education, one that prioritizes thought and reflection.
