About

Mission Statement

Don’t you love it here? We do! We know Old Dominion University rests in a city with a lot of character, Norfolk (pronounced NOR-fuhk, Naw-fuk, or NOR-fik). That’s why we’re committed to the community that makes up the student body. Mace & Crown is ODU’s independent student news organization which was originally founded as the High Hat in 1930 but became the Mace & Crown in 1961. Historically, we’ve done everything from newspapers to magazines. Regardless of what we do, everything is written by – and for – the students. We have a bias and that bias is towards the ODU student community and its best interests. The only greater bias? The pursuit of truth.

We have always been headstrong about keeping our independence as a student driven organization. We’re not a political arm or a PR department of this educational institution. We don’t operate under stakeholders’ interests. We exist to serve as a voice for our community while keeping an open door to our fellow students to contribute through writing, photography, design, or more!

Have strong opinions you want to share? Reach out to us! Did we write something that sucks? Awesome, tell us what we did wrong! Better yet, write an article about it. Don’t be afraid to say things with your chest. We know we do.

Here’s some legalese we’ve been advised to keep in case we have another legal run-in for responsibly practicing our First Amendment rights:

Mace & Crown maintains journalistic independence from Old Dominion University. All views expressed in this collegiate magazine are those of the author, not of the university, Mace & Crown, or the editors. The opinions expressed in the Mace & Crown are not affiliated, associated, endorsed, or in any way connected to Old Dominion University or any of its affiliates.  The name “Old Dominion University” as well as related names, marks, emblems, and images, are registered trademarks of Old Dominion University.

All work submitted and published becomes the property of Mace & Crown and cannot be replicated in another publication or posted elsewhere.