HU RESPONDS TO ASNE FUNDING DECISION

Hampton, VA - Hampton University Provost and Acting President JoAnn Haysbert has released the following statement regarding the ASNE's recent decision:

It is unfortunate that the American Society of Newspaper Editors has decided to pull the funding allocated to Hampton University for the 2004 High School Journalism Institute. I am pleased that 19 high school teachers from all over the country successfully completed the program at Hampton University in the summer of 2003.

A past participant wrote in a recent letter, "I am certain that there are many universities in this country that can host the event. I doubt, however, that many can provide the awareness about cultural diversity as a journalism issue as Hampton did for me…let Hampton students, Hampton administrators, and high school journalism teachers debate the issues. Engagement, not punishment, will result in positive change."

The Hampton Script Task Force, chaired by nationally renowned journalist and Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Endowed Chair Earl Caldwell, continues to meet regularly and I am confident that through their efforts the University will establish clarified guidelines for the operation of the Hampton Script. I am willing to trust its oversight and decisions.