ABOUT US

The Oracle is the long-established student-run newspaper based on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. Since 1966, the award-winning paper has strived to serve all segments of our diverse university community and acted as a training ground for journalists and others devoted to the idea of a free press.

Editorially independent of USF, The Oracle has earned a national reputation for excellence, receiving numerous national and regional awards for its journalism. In reporting on USF and issues impacting our university community, we keep people informed through written and visual formats. The Oracle produces unique perspectives on university news, sports, opinions and features. We also aim to hold the university accountable through truthful and unbiased reporting. 

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Submit a correction 

The Oracle’s reporters and editors deeply care about getting the facts right. Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get it wrong. To submit corrections or clarify factual errors, contact Editor in Chief Camila Gomez at oracleeditor@gmail.com

Corrections and clarifications will appear in bold at the bottom of the story where the error was made. 

We’re all digital

The Oracle became a digital-only publication in 2022 and provides its reporting about issues important to USF for free on its website, newsletters and social media accounts four days a week – Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It also publishes regular special e-editions and two weekly newsletters. Publication reduces during the summer semester. 

You can read digitized copies of past issues of The Oracle for free on the USF Special Collection’s website.

How to get involved 

The Oracle welcomes any and all USF students who wish to contribute to the newspaper. To learn how, email oracleeditor@gmail.com

Beginning in fall 2023, The Oracle launched an official internship program designed to develop the next generation of journalists and advertisement and marketing professionals. The newspaper welcomes college students into the newsroom for crucial hands-on experience across a wide variety of positions. One, two and three credit hours are available.

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For more information, please email oracleeditor@gmail.com or newspaper adviser Timothy Fanning at tfanning@usf.edu

How we’re funded

The newspaper employs about a dozen students as editors, reporters, opinion writers, graphic designers, marketing and ad representatives. Those positions, as well as the newspaper’s adviser, are paid for by students through Activity and Service Fees. Daily operations and a professional staff member are funded by advertising revenue.

We are also raising funds to help support our work. Read a recent column penned by Oracle editors about how your support will help us pay for needed equipment and technology to publish the newspaper. 

Editorial decisions are made by student journalists alone and are not influenced by USF, advertisers, donors, or by the university’s student government, which allocates A&S funds. 

Who decides which stories are in The Oracle

Students have full editorial control over which stories run in The Oracle. Stories go through an editing process involving at least one student editor and senior editor before being published.

Editorial independence 

USF does not have say over editorial content. Students exercise all decision-making control over what content they publish. 

The Oracle employs two full time professional staff members. The adviser provides support, training and general advice to students. The program manager oversees the advertising and business operations at The Oracle and advises and trains ad and graphic students. 

How to support us

The Oracle needs your support to help tell the university’s story and develop the next generation.

Your support helps us fund operating expenses as an all-digital newsroom, equipment and technology. Funds will also be used to send Oracle student staff members to journalism conferences and workshops.

Your tax-deductible donation, through the USF Foundation, supports the future of our learning laboratory and quality journalism at USF.

Contribute any amount by visiting our donation page on the USF Foundation website.