To view a complete list of donors click here.

Associated Press Media Editors, President Bob Heisse
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"The newspaper reported on information of critical importance to everyone on campus. U of M administrators have retaliated by significantly cutting the newspaper’s funding. This heavy-handed attempt to bully the newspaper into submission and to censor news concerning operations of the University of Memphis is unacceptable in a free society." READ THE LETTER HERE

Tenn. Coalition for Open Government, Exec. Director Kent Flanagan
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"... the manner in which the budget cut was administered, accompanied by criticisms of the Helmsman, constitutes a violation of the First Amendment rights ... This situation has gained national attention and not the kind that the university wants, I am sure. You can resolve it ..." READ THE LETTER HERE

Investigative Reporters and Editors, Executive Director Mark Horvit
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"The campus newspaper serves numerous vital functions. It provides a primary way – often the only way – for students to remain informed about what is occurring at their school. That means much more than simply providing calendars of events or stories that highlight upcoming meetings and activities. In fact, that information is almost always available elsewhere."   READ THE LETTER HERE.

John Ensslin, Society of Professional Journalists President
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"We journalists are a skeptical lot. We question authority. We ask seemingly impertinent questions. We hold public figures accountable. We fight for the public’s right to know so that people can make the kind of informed decisions that are vital in a democracy. Chelsea displays all these traits and then some. ... This is the kind of student you should be proud of. Her work reflects well upon the education she has received at the University of Memphis. That is why it is so disheartening and disappointing to read the coverage of the controversy surrounding these funding cuts." READ THE LETTER HERE.

Jerome Wright, Commercial Appeal Editorial Board
In a published editorial

"The Student Government Association and the allocation committee apparently would like to see the Daily Helmsman become more of a fluff sheet. But responsible, independent journalism in cities and on university campuses is about reporting on a wide range of issues, and not just being a bugle call for organizations that think coverage of their events should be a priority." READ THE EDITORIAL.

Orline Bowers, current University of Memphis student
Via the comment box

"There was the Centennial Carnival and Asian Culture week, which were all on the student paper almost a month in advance. There was SAC theater showings, which were advertised well in advance too. Either the Committee is lying through their teeth or they haven't been assed to read the Helmsman over the Spring semester unless they saw their name plastered all over." (sic) READ THE LETTER.

Simon Kruschinski, former German exchange student at the U of M
Via the comment box

 The Helmsman as a free and independent campus newspaper is something we don´t have in Germany. I really enjoyed reading the articles and the style of writing. So since Ive been back to my campus, I started planning on a weekly newspaper for our university, built on the ideas of critical and newsworthy reporting like the Helmsman does. So fight for your rights and don´t stop writing!
READ THE LETTER HERE.

Wendi Thomas, Commercial Appeal Columnist
To: Chelsea Boozer, Daily Helmsman Editor in Chief

"While these skirmishes are far from rare, it's still disappointing to see that 20 years after I was in college, universities haven't wised up. I'm proud of the Helmsman's staff and don't miss an opportunity to read the paper. You are doing the right thing for the campus community. Stay encouraged; your professional colleagues stand behind you."

Matt Wilson; University of Memphis alumnus, Class of 1996
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"I would expect governments led by dictators or (even worse) the University of Louisville to resort to petty retaliation against independent news organizations. I certainly don't expect my alma mater to engage in these sorts of actions." 
READ THE LETTER HERE.

Cotton Stevenson, former SGA president at the U of M
To: A Helmsman alumna 

"It’s just this kind of crap that still boils me right up. The underhanded back door duplicity that always was and always will be. ... Not sure what kind of small mined duplicitous SGA they have going there these days, but it chaps my ass to no end. This shit is real, so please tell those people on the Helmsman side that I said keep on keeping on."

Carl Crawford; Madison, Miss.
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"Too many have fought and died for our freedoms in this country for a sophomoric Dean and his youthful student committee to ignore the U.S. Constitution’s first amendment guarantees and damage a great University’s national image." 
READ THE LETTER HERE.

Jennifer Poyner; University of Memphis alumna, Class of 1996
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"The Helmsman played a vital role in our education, and it has for so many others. I can't think of another student activity that could contribute more to the development of its participants." READ THE LETTER HERE.

Stephanie Myers; University of Memphis alumna, Class of 2004
To: Shirley Raines, University of Memphis President

"It is the newspaper's right and responsibility to keep the public informed on issues that affect their lives, their safety, their interests and their well-being. Denying that newspaper access to public records, telling that newspaper they must cover University-approved subjects and withholding funding (public funding) from that newspaper, all because of the desire for a bright and sunny face to The University of Memphis, are deplorable acts of which you and your administration should be ashamed. You might not be embarrassed, but I, and many other UM graduates, are embarrassed for you." READ THE LETTER.

Michael Thompson; Editor of Sauk Prairie Eagle
To: Chelsea Boozer, Daily Helmsman Editor in Chief

"You are fighting the good fight. You already know this. Your work is what serious journalism is all about: You have provided your readers with important information about their lives, about threats to their safety, about the conduct of their trusted institutions. You have done it as timely as you could. You have cut through layers of complexity and exposed the heart of each matter. You have told readers what they don't know and why they should care." READ THE LETTER.

Raina Hanna; University of Memphis alumna, Class of 1994
To: Chelsea Boozer, Daily Helmsman Editor in Chief

"... what I learned at The Helmsman was even more valuable than any class the department of Journalism offered. I learned to get it right. To not cater to any special interest or advertiser. To tell advertisers that their money could not influence our editorial staff. I learned when we got complaints about stories it was often because an article or editorial shed light on something many in the college community wanted to keep secret."  READ THE LETTER.

Elaine Millen, University of Memphis alumna
Via the comment box

The administration and the student government should never squelch, either editorially or financially, the purpose of the paper in a free society. It trains, it informs and it educates its readers on matters important to a large audience than what the SGA would prefer it report on. READ THE LETTER HERE.

Susan F. Brown of North Lake, Wisconsin

With her donation wrote, “To encourage a free and vibrant press at the University of Memphis!”

Fran Pedron Martin of Belton, Texas

With her donation wrote, “Glad all of you are taking this stand and proud to be part of the energy.”

Deborah Warrington Baker of Hampshire, Tenn.

With her donation  wrote, “I plan to send more $ as I can — hopefully monthly. Stay strong! And know that there are many cheering you on.”

Bob Willis of Memphis, Tenn.

“Restoration of this year’s funding is good, but true victory won’t be won until there is a fair funding system for the future. Keep up the fight!”

Chris Vermillion (@pcvrmlln1898) via Twitter

"I will say that The Daily Helmsman keeps the campus more up to date on whats going on than the actual Police Services."

Isaac WIlson (@iawilson) via Twitter

"Wow this Daily Helmsman stuff is insane and ridiculous. I loved the Helmsman kept it real about stuff happening on campus."

Kelly Raven Silvermoon via Facebook 

"I am not formally against the SGA nor the SAC; however, as a recent University of Memphis graduate, I can honestly say that the Helmsman was more useful to me during my time there." READ FULL POST HERE.

Shakia (@ShakiaSNN) via Twitter

"Our school paper ( @DailyHelmsman ) helps keep students informed. Without it many would be lost #Memphis"

Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) via Twitter

"Signs suggest the budget was cut for all the wrong reasons. But hopefully it'll get fixed thanks to the negative attention it's received."

(The campus community will get to keep reading) "about rapes on campus the university would never disclose without pressure from the Helmsman."

Joe Yeradi (@JoeYerardi) via Twitter

"Keep fighting the good fight, Daily Helmsman staffers. You guys are an inspiration."

Frank LoMonte (@FrankLoMonte) via Twitter

" 'What they're doing stinks, it's cowardly and it's wrong.' Proud of Memphis faculty for standing behind the Helmsman." 

Angela Davis (@ShugNoAvery) via Twitter

"They cut the Daily Helmsman??? TEARS"

"They quoted my tears tweet lol. I love my school paper though. The Daily Helmsman keeps it legit."

John Martin (@JohnMartinCA) via Twitter

"The argument that the Helmsman never publishes any "school-related content" is bunk. Lame school events have gotten ink countless times.

Shaun Fosset (@shaun_fossett) via Twitter

"I had the pleasure of writing for the Daily Helmsman, many times. It was and is a quality publication. I grew to respect print journalists.

Scott Hall (@ScoHa) via Twitter

"... SGA has made it clear in the past that they despise the Helmsman and they fact they don't publish PR pieces."

Magic Mike (@MichaelKBowen) via Twitter

"Huge fan of frosh camp. But how do they get an 83% (90 to 165k) increase in funding in one year? Helmsman loses 33% (75 to 50k)

Trey Heath (@treyheath) via Twitter

"On Helmsman budget cuts: Look at the talent that paper has produced, continues to produce. It has given school big ROI.

Scott Carroll (@ScottyKnoxville) via Twitter

"On The Helmsman budget battle, I'll just say this: If the paper suffers, the campus and its community will suffer. There will be no winners."

Kat Leach (@kati_the_great) via Twitter

Why whould anyone on the funding committee vote to cut Helmsman funding completely if not as punishment for content?

Kelsey Climer (@kelsey_climer) via Twitter

"If the real reason to the Daily Helmsman budget cuts is the controversial content, that's messed up.

Ken Garland via Facebook

"This is the latest in a long line of attempts to censor the Helmsman. It went on when I was general manager 1984-90, and it is still going on."

Boyd Lewis, University of Memphis alumnus
Via the comment box

"Citizens benefit most from a fearless press, even when it turns over rocks to expose varmints. This sort of intimidation by UM administrators gives us all an object lesson in just what forces are killing the press today.
Resistance is not futile." READ THE LETTER.