Vote to restructure Comm Board delayed
Student Media moves to further discuss potential changes
By John Digrado
Daily Bruin Staff
Bringing several months of discussions to the table,
Communications Board members voted Wednesday to prolong talks
regarding the addition of three new professional media members to
their board.
The restructuring plan has come under fire in recent weeks by
several members of the board as well as members of Student Media
itself, who questioned the potential effects that the addition of
professional members would have on its editorial content.
The board currently consists of eight student members, and one
representative each of alumni, faculty, administration and the
media profession.
As it stands, the proposal would add three new professional
media members to the board, bringing outside representation on the
board to a total of four. Each professional would have voting
privileges on the new board – a move that was hotly debated at last
night’s meeting.
Daily Bruin editor in chief Roxane Márquez and board
members including Adam Symson voiced concerns over the membership
change. They claimed that the move would unnecessary alter the
Communications Board’s constitution and eliminate the student
majority.
In contrast, board members in support of the plan felt that
restructuring the board would be a positive move toward a group
that would aid Student Media beyond a mere governing role.
"What we’re trying to do is not unusual," said media director
Arvli Ward, a non-voting member of the board. "We’re trying to get
a board of directors that is about (aiding) the organization in any
way possible so it can get what it needs. That’s not a weird
thing."
Symson, the Daily Bruin’s liaison to the board, said that
professional members may still harbor a certain degree of self
interest despite their intentions.
"I don’t have a problem with donations or fund raising," he
said, slapping his wallet on the board table. "(But) I don’t think
that we should be looking for funds from board members."
Márquez stated that bringing professional members who would
hold a voting position on the board may lead to outside control
over editorial content from people whose primary concerns would be
monetary.
"I’m saying that I need a guarantee" to keep editorial control
in the hands of the students, Márquez said. "And if there is
going to be fund raising, I would really have to insist that the
professional representatives (of the board) would have to be
ex-officio members.
"Student Media is all about students. I know it’s cliché,
but it’s true," she explained. "It’s about making students’ visions
come true, and ultimately the strength of Student Media comes from
us."
However, the professional member already sitting on the board
believed that this was an unfounded concern. Members who would be
willing to donate their time and expertise in their given fields
would not be interested in controlling student media content,
asserted Norm Pattiz, the professional member of the board and
chairman of Westwood One Radio.
"Why would (professional members interested in controlling
content) come on the board when they know it is not the goal (of
the board) to run editorial content but to help or assist students
in their chosen profession?" he asked
But Symson countered that adding professional members and
allowing them to vote on board issues may give rise to potential
problems further down the road.
"I do see the potential for problems," he said. "To add
professionals to the board, to create an aura of extreme
profitability, to me isn’t a positive move."
In a show of solidarity against the initiative, Ha’Am editor in
chief Gary Bernato presented Communications Board Chair Deanna
Cherry with a letter signed by a majority of the Student Media
editors expressing their discontent with the plan.
"The Student Editors of Student Media hereby oppose the proposed
restructuring provision of the ASUCLA Communications Board that
plans to introduce three additional professional members," the
letter stated.
"We ask that the board vote ‘no’ to the current restructuring
plan and look to alternative methods in keeping student
representation on the board with quality student members, committed
to the ideals and missions of student media," it continued.
However, Together newsmagazine editor Gülgün Ugur
disagreed with student opposition, stating that additional
resources were vital to the growth of currently underfunded
media.
"This support will add a lot and help out our magazines," she
said, explaining that with the additional resources, newsmagazines
could realize their "dreams."
In response to the letter, Cherry expressed disappointment in
the letter, stating that she and fellow board member Aron Schwartz
created the restructuring initiative with students in mind.
"Fundamentally, underneath all of this, we did this (for student
media) and I’m really upset that it has come down to this," she
said.
"This was all created to support (the students)," Cherry
concluded. "It was never our intention to do something not to
support you. We wouldn’t suggest it unless (the board thought) it
would work."
The board’s next meeting is currently scheduled for April
10.Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu