For years, Seth Richardson has inspired and guided journalism students at the University of Minnesota. Despite being led to believe his contract would be renewed for the 2025-26 academic year, he was abruptly informed that it will not be. 

No clear reason was given. Not to Seth, nor to the students who sought answers. Students were, in fact, discouraged from asking questions.

When journalism students, concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding this quiet, end-of-semester dismissal, emailed Hubbard Director Elisia Cohen, they received a copy-pasted response.

This decision sends a troubling message about how decisions are made and communicated within Hubbard, a school meant to teach and inform the next generation of communicators.

As students of journalism, we’re taught to seek the truth. Now, we’re asking Hubbard to practice what it teaches.