Penn State took down newsstands and newspapers belonging to the Daily Collegian around campus on Wednesday, September 18, the Collegian wrote Thursday. According to the outlet, Penn State’s administration provided no prior notice to the Collegian that it would remove the newsstands, which sit inside buildings on Penn State’s campus.

“There were around 35 racks inside campus buildings, with three running a Kamala Harris advertisement and six running voter registration ads in poster space above the newspapers. All racks and newspapers have been removed and their location remains unknown, as noticed Thursday,” the Collegian wrote. “According to correspondence between the Collegian’s General Manager and the university’s Chief Procurement Officer, racks will be returned by Friday morning without the advertisements.”

The Collegian noted that newsstands without ads on posters were also removed.

The Collegian’s Editor-in-Chief Amy Schafer argued the university’s taking down of the newsstands was a violation of the outlet’s freedom of speech.

“I was very alarmed when I first noticed that our newsstands were missing. More alarming to me wasn’t necessarily the removal of the stands, but also the papers themselves,” Schafer said. “It’s censoring our outlet, and it’s a violation against free speech to remove our papers.”

Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers responded to Onward State’s request for comment, saying the Collegian had violated university policy.

“The display of the paper version of the Daily Collegian is permitted, as the University understands the importance of a free news and information source specifically for its students,” Powers wrote. “However, the Collegian’s use of advertising space within university buildings is in violation of AD27 Commercial Sales Activities at University Locations and AD02 Non-University Groups Using University Facilities.”

Neither Powers nor another university spokesperson immediately responded to Onward State’s request for specificity pertaining to which part of the policies the Collegian’s newsstands violated.

Policy AD02 reads, “If any fundraising activity takes place, a detailed plan for the designation of funds must be specifically approved by the appropriate budget executive at the respective University location. No funds can be distributed to any organization or individual other than a tax-exempt organization.”

Policy AD27 reads, “The use of University facilities and/or property for commercial sales activities by individuals or non-University organizations is prohibited. University organizations, within the limitations established by this policy and other University regulations, and with appropriate approval, may sell materials to support the purposes of their organization.”

The Collegian wrote that its agreement with the university detailing advertising specifics expired in June.

“The Collegian utilizes advertising sales as a revenue source,” the outlet wrote. “The importance of advertising revenue has become increasingly vital after receiving a 100% funding cut from the university’s general fund in 2023, beginning this school year.”