About us

The following provides general information about the student newspapers, classes in the journalism program and the BC journalism professor, Erin Auerbach.

How to reach us

Newsroom: 661-395-4324

Fax number: 661-395-4027

BC journalism professor: Erin Auerbach

Office: 661-395-4344

E-mail: [email protected]

Newspaper e-mail: [email protected]

History

Bakersfield College’s student newspaper, the Renegade Rip, has been in existence for more than 90 years and continues its tradition as one of the top community college publications in the state. Students are instructed on professional standards and do all of the work, from beginning to end, in creating six biweekly publications each semester. The students also maintain a 24/7 online edition, therip.com.

The newspaper publishes in tabloid form during the fall and spring semesters on a biweekly basis. It distributes 3,000 copies per edition.

Success stories

The newspaper, a perennial winner of general excellence in the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, was awarded First Place for community college news websites at the 2024 California College Media Association awards ceremony in San Diego in 2024. The Rip won First Place two year college newspaper at the 2020 Associated Collegiate Press Midwinter Conference and best community college newspaper in the state for 2011 by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. The journalism program has a long tradition of winning awards and sending students to four-year schools and into the professional world of journalism. Also, several students have been awarded scholarships and internships to help further their educations at four-year institutions.

Journalism classes:

Media and Society

JRNL B1

Instructors: Erin Auerbach, Aaron Rothkopf

Beginning reporting

JRNL B2

Instructor: Erin Auerbach

Public Relations

JRNL B5

Instructor: Erin Auerbach

Press Photography

JRNL B15

Multimedia Reporting

JRNL B16

STUDENT NEWSPAPER COURSES:

Newspaper production/reporters and photographers

JRNL B25

Instructor: Erin Auerbach

Newspaper production/editors

JRNL B26

Instructor: Erin Auerbach

It is strongly suggested that those interested in reporting first take Media and Society, and Beginning Reporting before signing up for the student newspaper. Those interested in photojournalism should take Media and Society, and Press Photography before joining the paper.

Please contact journalism professor Erin Auerbach about the best way to start the journalism program at BC.

About the professor

Erin Auerbach has been a reporter, writer and PR professional for more than 17 years. She was a full-time features reporter for the Press-Enterprise, and her work has been featured in national publications and magazines.  Before coming to BC, she advised the student newspaper at Los Angeles Harbor College (2013-2016). She has also taught Media and Society at Harbor and news writing at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. Auerbach is in her first year as the only full-time journalism professor at BC. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in theater arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.

Instructor’s philosophy: Awards are nice, but the main goal is for students who complete the Bakersfield College journalism program to move to the next level of education with the knowledge and skills needed to make a seamless transition. Staff members on the student newspaper work in a professional-style environment with the most updated equipment and instruction. Students who aren’t journalism majors often learn something that helps them in other fields of study or employment.