MadBlog

So there's been some talk about the future of the Madison Observer, and we've been working hard to maintain a decent advertising base. Unfortunately, advertising has not been sufficient to keep ourselves out of the red. And no, we are NOT receiving any funding from the MultiCultural Student Coalition (MCSC) or from the Student Services Finance Committee (SSFC). Contrary to recent allegations by the Mendota Beacon, we have been completely independent on our own accord since August 2004. Before August, we were a project funded by the MCSC. Naturally, we accept advertising from SSFC funded organizations, including a four-page insert that MCSC placed in v3n7, entitled "The Informer."

Now that's out of the way, I just want to thank the Campus Progress Network (CPN), campusprogress.org for allowing us to join the recently developed network of alternative progressive campus newspapers from around the country. With this we will be accepting $1,500 for Spring 2005 to help subsidize printing costs. Thanks to the CPN we are no longer in debt and will be able to continue comfortably through this semester and definitely continue through next year.

Also, it is important to note that other organizations on campus have been incredibly gracious, including the Ten Percent Society (TPS), who donated $500 towards the Madison Observer. Thanks to all the organizations who have been sure to think of us when working to include advertising for campus wide events, as advertising is the only way to ensure that a newspaper can be sustained and will grow.

The Madison Observer is here to stay. Grassroots, independent and made possible solely by our readers.