The student newspaper at the University of Prince Edward Island wants to end its relationship with the student union.

'Obviously there's some concerns with funding and the sustainability of a newspaper when it goes autonomous.'— Ryan Gallant, student union president

Editor Rob Walker said following the withdrawal of one issue of the newspaper, the Cadre, from circulation by the student union last year due to its publication of controversial cartoons depicting the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, he has felt the paper required more independence.

"Simply to allow us to report properly and not have to kind of look over our shoulders," he said.

Walker recently attended the Canadian University Press national conference in Vancouver. The conference brought together the editors of more than 70 student papers from across Canada, many of which are autonomous.

During the meeting, Walker learned of further advantages of having some distance from the student union — the ability to reinvest profits. Currently, any profit from the paper goes back to the student union.

"There's no real opportunity for us to make any headway in terms of wages, or new equipment, or anything like that," he said.

The Cadre would still have a strong connection to the university, Walker said: a fee for an independent paper would be separated out from fees paid annually by students to the student union, and go directly to the Cadre.

Student union president Ryan Gallant said he's willing to talk about changes to the way the Cadre is funded.

"Obviously there's some concerns with funding and the sustainability of a newspaper when it goes autonomous, and that's the reason why it is under the umbrella of the student union right now. But certainly, it's worth a discussion."

Gallant cautioned a change involving student fees could not be approved by the student union; it would have to be approved by university administration.