Campus Files: Who Speaks for Loyola?
Episode Summary

Introduction and Background

In the July 9, 2025 episode of Campus Files, host Margo Gray delves into the turbulent relationship between Loyola University Chicago’s administration and its student-run newspaper, The Phoenix. This episode uncovers a significant period of conflict that highlights issues of free speech, journalistic integrity, and administrative control within a prestigious Catholic institution.

The Phoenix Newspaper and Bob Hergath

At the heart of the story is Mary, a dedicated senior journalism student at Loyola, whose fearless reporting for The Phoenix brought her into direct conflict with university administrators. Mary’s work covered critical and often uncomfortable topics, including street crime, sexual assault handling, and notably, tuition hikes. Her commitment to truth and accountability exemplifies the crucial role of student journalism in holding institutions accountable.

Bob Hergath, a seasoned journalist with over 25 years at the Chicago Sun Times, serves as the faculty advisor for The Phoenix. His deep-rooted belief in the importance of journalism is evident when he states at [04:10] Hergath: "I grew up reading the Chicago Sun Times. My dad worked there... I just grew up with journalism in my bloodstream. I really love what I do, and I take it really seriously."

Change in Administration and Its Impact

The dynamics at Loyola shifted dramatically in the spring of 2016 with the appointment of Joanne Rooney as the new president. Rooney, the first woman and layperson to lead the university, brought a markedly different approach to administration. Her tenure saw a strategic pivot towards controlling the narrative around the university, affecting the autonomy of The Phoenix.

March Madness and Media Control

The 2018 March Madness tournament marked a turning point. Loyola’s unexpected success, highlighted by the charismatic 98-year-old chaplain Sister Jean, attracted positive media attention. As Mary reflects at [14:29], “As a student it was really fun. But as a journalist it was clear that there were so many attempts... to keep any possible issues pushed down.” This surge in positive publicity intensified the administration’s efforts to suppress negative reporting, particularly concerning sensitive issues like sexual assault and campus safety.

Media Policy and Editorial Responses

In response to increased media attention, Rooney’s administration implemented a new media policy requiring all journalistic inquiries to funnel through the university’s Public Relations (PR) staff. This policy, introduced subtly around March 2018, severely restricted direct access to faculty and administrative officials. Mary recounts at [18:52], “It felt so odd because first of all, that's a lot of time to take all of our requests. We were a weekly paper, we were working on several stories at a time...”

The restrictive policy led to mounting frustration among the student journalists. Attempts to directly contact professors resulted in reprimands, as illustrated when a student received a scolding email for pursuing a story on women in Loyola's STEM programs (at [19:25]). Faced with diminishing access and increasing hostility, the student body decided to take a stand.

On February 13, 2019, The Phoenix published an editorial titled “Loyola's Media Policy is Straight Out of the Trump Playbook,” drawing national attention to the administration’s tactics. At [22:00], Bob Hergath reflects, “In our story this year, Rooney refused.” The editorial’s bold comparison to the Trump administration’s press handling resonated widely, leading to coverage by major outlets like NBC News and intervention from free speech organizations such as Fire and Pen America, which advocated for the rescinding of the restrictive media policy.

Aftermath and Legacy

While the administration eventually rolled back the media policy due to external pressure, tensions persisted. Mary experienced direct hostility, including a confronting phone call with the university’s CFO over her reporting ([23:50]). The resiliency and courage of the student journalists, supported by Bob Hergath’s unwavering guidance, underscored the importance of free press within academic institutions.

Rooney’s resignation in 2021 marked the end of an era, yet questions remained about the long-term impact on Loyola’s commitment to journalistic integrity. Bob Hergath expressed his disillusionment, stating at [26:16], “This is ridiculous. This is the 21st century... no way that this press department... should be behaving this way.” The appointment of a new dean in 2024, lacking a journalism background, suggested ongoing challenges in prioritizing authentic journalistic education at Loyola.

Conclusion and Reflections

The episode concludes with reflections from both Mary and Bob on how their experiences at Loyola shaped their professional lives. Mary emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support, while Bob highlights the critical need for integrity and resilience in journalism. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the essential role that free, independent media plays in educational settings and beyond.

Notable Quotes

• Mary [02:21]: "There's no other way to describe it than it was a temper tantrum. It was incredibly hostile and incredibly disrespectful."

• Bob Hergath [05:54]: "Thou shalt not make up shit. Thou shall not pass off anyone else's work as your own."

• Mary [07:00]: "One specific one that will stick with me forever is the student who was found responsible for rape in the Title IX office and walked the stage at graduation after he was expelled and banned from campus."

• Bob Hergath [11:31]: "I'm not there anymore. I didn't want anything out of it other than just this to be acknowledged and not to be repeated, and I never heard back."

Impact and Significance

This episode of Campus Files not only chronicles the specific struggles at Loyola University Chicago but also reflects broader themes pertinent to academic freedom and the safeguarding of free speech within educational institutions. By highlighting the personal experiences of Mary and Bob, the podcast underscores the enduring importance of journalistic integrity and the challenges faced in maintaining it against institutional pressures.

Further Resources

For additional stories on scandals that have rocked American institutions, listeners are encouraged to explore seasons 1-3 of Gangster Capitalism available on the same feed:

• Season 1: The College Admissions Scandal
• Season 2: The NRA
• Season 3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University

Campus Files continues to serve as an unofficial campus tour, revealing the often-hidden complexities behind the revered façade of American colleges.