About

Hoofprint Policy

The goal of The Hoofprint, a student-run organization, is to provide both an online and print forum for the dissemination and discussion of campus-related events and concerns. Therefore, we will uphold our responsibility to ensure accurate and related coverage that is accessible to everyone.

Under California Education Code 48907, we reserve the right to publish, without prior review, material that is not slanderous, defamatory, libelous or unfounded. To maintain the integrity of our organization, all online and print articles, names, dates, etc. will be fact-checked, and all interviewed quotes will be documented through official transcripts, messages or voice recordings. The staff at The Hoofprint assumes responsibility and will issue formal apologies and retractions to correct factual errors, misquotes, attributions or wrong photos. The updated information and a note indicating revision(s) will be posted.

As student journalists exercising our First Amendment rights, we will strive to objectively investigate stories relevant to the student body. Reporting will address multiple views and the sensitivity of our content will be considered.

Under the California Shield Law, all Publications staff retains the absolute right to protect the confidentiality of their interview sources. Therefore, we will be considerate to all interviewees and provide factual news. We strive, as a hybrid publication, to release print news every six weeks and update our online news (whshoofprint.com) and social media platforms  (@whspublications) weekly. Students are welcome to participate and share their feedback with us through student-produced articles, editorial cartoons and letters to the editors. 

AI Policy

As student usage of generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots becomes a growing  concern, The Hoofprint is committed to maintaining journalistic integrity while adapting to new technological trends. Rather than banning AI technology, we recognize its potential to add to our publications. 

No matter how capable AI is or will become, we maintain that it’s just a tool, something to support but never to replace a journalist’s due diligence. For The Hoofprint, this means that our journalists may use AI for brainstorming and idea-generation purposes, as long as they are still creating the original content that will be published. 

We will also allow AI as another pair of eyes in the writing and editing process, a tool to evaluate the original content students create themselves. For example, a staff writer may turn to AI for feedback on their logic, writing style or syntax on their articles, while an editor may use AI for detailed suggestions regarding AP style. 

Journalism is about reporting the truth. No matter how intelligent AI is, it can only relay truths already uncovered in the past. AI may be used to make journalists’ lives easier, but it can never replace the deeply human process that comes with interviewing people and sharing their stories. As we navigate through an evolving media world, we at The Hoofprint will endeavor to uphold the integrity and transparency of this public forum.

Awards

Newspaper 2023 – NSPA Pacemaker Finalist

Newspaper 2020 – CSPA Silver Crown 

Hybrid Newspaper 2019 – CSPA Silver Crown

Hybrid Newspaper 2017 – CSPA Gold Crown

Hybrid Newspaper 2016 – CSPA Gold Crown

Hybrid Newspaper 2014 – CSPA Silver Crown

Newspaper 2013 – CSPA Silver Crown

ELAJEA 1st Place Newspaper Sweepstakes: 2020, 2021, 2022

SCJEA 4th Place Newspaper Sweepstakes: 2018