Media Board

A. Purpose

Editors and the General Manager are given the discretion to establish the editorial and program direction of their respective medium. With this in mind, the primary purpose of the Board is to provide those forms of direction and support to the official student communication media that will lead to the highest levels of journalistic and broadcasting quality.

B. Powers and Responsibilities

1. Review the editorial/broadcast, advertising, fiscal, production, and personnel policies of the media heads.
2. Ensure long term quality by setting goals and establishing broad editorial and program guidance.
3. Adhere to and support the principle of a free and unbiased press with particular attention to the statements of the Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi) and the National Association of Broadcasters.
4. Advocate the position of the media to ASUPS and the University of Puget Sound.
5. Following the Spring Inauguration, the ASUPS Vice President will select Editors and General Managers and the Board may remove Editors and General Managers.
6. The Board has the authority to require that an editor print a retraction or that the general manager broadcast a public apology when it is evident that a published or broadcast statement is clearly contrary to libel laws or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.
7. Any and all complaints from any member of the readership or listening public should first be taken to the appropriate media head. If either party determines that substantive matters remain unresolved, the Board may be convened to consider the complaint and take action as necessary. If the complaining party is unwilling to approach the media head directly, the Board will receive their complaint, notify the media head, convene to consider, and take necessary action.
8. In the event a dispute arises between a media head and the media advisor that can not be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chair of the Board and the Vice President should be consulted in the attempt to resolve the matter. If after consultation, either party determines that substantive matters remain unresolved, the Board may be convened to settle the matter.

C. Membership

1. Director of Medias and Technology Services, chair.
2. Vice President.
3. One Senator.
4. Two (2) students-at-large, non-staff members of the student sponsored media selected by the Vice President with alternating two (2) year terms.
5. One faculty member, serving an indefinite term selected by the Faculty Senate.
6. Dean of Students or their designee.
7. The Media Advisor(s). In cases where more than one Media Advisor attends that meeting, the sum of the Advisor votes carries that same number, one, as other voting members.
8. Editors and General Managers of the medium, non-voting.
9. Vacancies are filled as they arise according to the same procedure by which members are selected.

D. Meetings

Meetings of the Board are to be convened at least twice a month or as determined by the chair. In order to provide adequate direction, it is essential that the Board meet with Editors and the General Manager during the first three weeks of each semester. All meetings are open unless closed by a majority vote of the Board. The voting members of the Board reserve the right to meet in executive session, excluding ex-officio members, for deliberation on sensitive issues.

E. Selection of Editors and General Managers

1. The ASUPS Vice President-Elect will solicit applications for Editors and General Managers after the Spring ASUPS election. The Vice President-Elect will maintain this responsibility even after the Spring Inauguration as Vice President and until the election of a new Vice President-Elect.
2. The ASUPS President-Elect, ASUPS Vice President-Elect, and Director of Medias and Technology Services will interview all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of undergraduate student as defined by the University of Puget Sound Bulletin, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Proof of both claims must be provided by all candidates prior to the interview. The Vice President-Elect will maintain this responsibility even after the Spring Inauguration as Vice President and until the election of a new Vice President-Elect.
3. The ASUPS Vice President-Elect may request certain additional information from applicants, including letters of reference from faculty or staff, samples of journalistic writing, resumes, and personal statements. The Vice President-Elect will maintain this responsibility even after the Spring Inauguration, as Vice President, and until the election of a next Vice President-Elect.
4. The ASUPS Vice President, following the Spring Inauguration, in consultation with the ASUPS President, will select the Editor of each publication and the General Manager of KUPS-FM and Photo Services.
5. No elected official or Cabinet member of the ASUPS may serve as an Editor or a General Manager.
6. The Vice President shall fill vacancies in the position of Editor or General Manager as they occur in a manner similar to the annual selection process. If the regular selection process would jeopardize normal operation of the medium, an interim Editor or General Manager may be appointed by the Vice President to serve until regular selection processes can occur.

F. Removal of an Editor or General Manager.

1. The Vice President shall have no authority to permanently remove an Editor or General Manager from their position without the confirmation of the Board.
2. The Board may decide to remove an Editor or General Manager under the following conditions:
   1. Failure to perform. If an Editor or General Manager fails to carry out the duties assigned to them such that regular operation of the publication or station is severely jeopardized, they may be removed from office by a simple majority decision of the Board.
   2. Engaging in illegal acts. An Editor or General Manager found guilty of conduct in violation of the Student Integrity Code, Code of Conduct, University policy, or Federal or State law will be removed from office.
   3. Violation of libel laws or FCC Regulations. An Editor or General Manager who violates libel laws or FCC regulations will be removed from the position by a simple majority decision of the Board. The Vice President or Board, by simple majority vote, may suspend an Editor or General Manager during the time in which charges are being adjudicated.
   4. If an Editor or General Manager is removed from office, they may not serve as an Editor or General Manager for the remainder of their time in ASUPS.
3. The process by which the Board considers the removal of an Editor or General Manager should be characterized by a concern for due process and objectivity. The individual in question should receive written notification specifying the reasons for such consideration. An Editor or General Manager should be given sufficient time to prepare an answer to such charges. A hearing on the charges should be scheduled within ten (10) days unless the individual charged requests an extension which must be approved by the Board. The individual should also be given the opportunity to request that the Board's considerations of the charges be conducted in an open public meeting. The final vote on the charges is conducted in an executive session of the Board.
4. The decision of the Board to remove an Editor or General Manager may be appealed to the President of the university. Such an appeal should be made within five (5) days of the receipt of the decision of the Board. The decision of the President of the university is final.
5. Student and staff members of the various media are subject to the same standards mentioned above. It is the responsibility of Editors or General Managers to suspend or dismiss student and staff members found in violation of these standards. In the event of a dispute between a student and staff member and an Editor or General Manager concerning the severity of a violation, the Board, by simple majority, serves as the final arbiter. The Vice President will serve as the final arbiter only if the Board is unable to meet within three (3) business days of a media Head failing to perform, engaging in illegal acts, or violating libel or FCC regulations. The Board must confirm or reverse the decision of the Vice President by a simple majority vote at the next Board meeting. Failure on the part of an Editor or General Manager to act on such a suspension or dismissal is considered failure to perform and renders the Editor or General Manager subject to considerations for suspension or dismissal by the Board.

G. Powers and Responsibilities of Editors and General Managers

1. Carry a minimum of two (2) units per semester, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and must be a fee-paying member of ASUPS during their tenure of office.
2. Establish and implement sound editorial/broadcast, advertising, fiscal, production, and personnel policies.
3. Be responsible for the editorial content of their media.
4. Be free from prior restraint and review, except as stated in the KUPS-FM Charter.
5. Select all student staff, with the written approval by the ASUPS Vice President, Director of Medias and Technology Services, or Director of Business Services prior to hiring. Must provide prospective student staff member names, proposed job title, proposed job description, and proposed stipend amount. Editors and General Managers may appeal student staff hiring decisions made by the Vice President to the Senate. A two-third (2⁄3) majority will overrule the decision.
6. Propose student staff member salary changes for approval by the Student Leader Review Committee.
7. Supervise the daily operations of their respective media.
8. Prepare and submit a budget to the Budget Committee.
9. Meet with the Director of Medias and Technology Services bi-weekly and report to the ASUPS Vice President when applicable.

H. Powers and Responsibilities of a Media Advisor

1. Hired by the ASUPS Vice President.
2. Supervised by the Operations Coordinator.
3. Advise the media on editorial/broadcast, legal, fiscal, production, and personnel policies. Serve as administrative liaison between student media, relevant academic departments, the University, the Board of Trustees, and ASUPS.

I. The Official ASUPS Media Departments.

1. Definition.
   1. ASUPS Medias serve a distinct, long-term need or area of interest that is not met by other media, clubs, or organizations.
   2. ASUPS Medias produce student work and are managed by students committed to the advancement of that creativity.
   3. The opportunity to participate in ASUPS Medias should be accessible to all members of the University of Puget Sound community, as should the ASUPS Media Department’s product.
2. Membership.
   1. The Trail. The student newspaper, published once a week.
   2. Crosscurrents. The student literary and arts journal published at least once a year.
   3. KUPS-FM. The student-operated, non-commercial, educational radio station, as defined by the KUPS-FM Charter and FCC license.
   4. Photo Services. The student photography service.
   5. Wetlands Magazine. The campus publication dedicated to the critical interrogation of gender, sexuality, ability, age, class, race, embodiment, intersectional identities and social justice as well as the celebration of related art, poetry, literature and performance.
   6. Elements. The student science magazine published at least once a year.
   7. Other such official publications or electronic media as are approved by the ASUPS Senate through the process listed below.
3. Becoming an ASUPS Media Department.
   1. An organization must be active as an officially recognized or registered ASUPS Club for no fewer than three full academic years before it is eligible to apply for the Evaluation Phase. Prior to the Evaluation Phase an organization should clearly define its goals and operations.
   2. Upon completing at least three (3) years as an ASUPS Club, an organization may appeal to the ASUPS Senate to enter the Evaluation Phase. The ASUPS Senate will decide, based on a simple majority vote, if the organization will be allowed to enter the Evaluation Phase.
   3. The Evaluation Phase.
      1. With ASUPS Senate approval, the evaluation will be administered by the ASUPS Media Board.
      2. The evaluation does not have a time restriction.
      3. During the Evaluation Phase, the ASUPS Media Board has the power to adjust the organization’s status. Decisions to change an organization’s status must be approved by a two-thirds (2⁄3) majority vote of the ASUPS Media Board.
      4. The ASUPS Media Board is responsible for conducting a semesterly evaluation of any organization in the Evaluation Phase, using the definition of ASUPS Media Departments as well as a list of practical provisions including, but not limited to, financial planning, demonstration of student commitment and continuity, effort to involve the campus community, faculty involvement and advisor roles, and plans for future growth.
         1. For each semester that the organization is under evaluation, the ASUPS Media Board must submit a Report of Recommendation to the ASUPS Senate outlining their decision to:
            1. Make the organization an ASUPS Media Department. 
            2. Keep the organization in the Evaluation Phase. Upon this decision the ASUPS Media Board will also evaluate the progress of the organization in question and advise the organization on areas of needed change.
            3. Remove the organization from the Evaluation Phase and return it to normal club status.
            4. A Report can be submitted by the ASUPS Media Board to the ASUPS Senate at any time during the semester, but must be submitted at least once each semester for each organization in the Evaluation Phase. Each Report of Recommendation must contain a detailed justification of the ASUPS Media Board’s need to make a ruling at a later date.
            5. During the Evaluation Phase, an organization will operate with all of the privileges and responsibilities of an ASUPS Club.
            6. If, during the Evaluation Phase, the ASUPS Media Board determines that an organization should become an ASUPS Media Department, the ASUPS Senate must approve, with a two-thirds (2⁄3) majority vote, the organization’s status as an officially recognized ASUPS Media Department. At such time the organization will gain all privileges and responsibilities of an ASUPS Media Department.
4. Regular Performance
   1. Each ASUPS Media Head will be responsible for regularly updating the ASUPS Media Board on the editorial, fiscal, production, and personnel policies of their ASUPS Media Department.
      1. Each ASUPS Media Head will formally present documented continuity to their successor at the last meeting of the ASUPS Media Board for the spring semester with the next year’s budget proposal for that medium.
      2. Copy of the continuity for each medium is filed with ASUPS and kept in a binder in the ASUPS office as well as a cloud storage space, managed by the ASUPS Vice President.
   2. If any of these requirements are not met, or if the contents of a presentation suggest that action should be taken, the ASUPS Media Board may choose to file a complaint against the Media Head in question. 
5. The Emergency Review Process.
   1. Instating an Emergency Review.
      1. Following an unresolved complaint under Bylaws Article VI, Section 6, B, 7., B, 8., or I, 4, b., the ASUPS Media Board may agree by unanimous vote of those present to recommend to the ASUPS Senate that an Emergency Review process be conducted.
      2. The ASUPS Senate must vote by a two-thirds (2⁄3) majority to approve the Emergency Review.
   2. Conducting an Emergency Review.
      1. An Emergency Review process must consist of:
      2. A financial audit.
      3. An individual interview with the ASUPS Media Head.
      4. Individual interviews with staff of the Media Department.
      5. A review of the physical workspace of the ASUPS Media Department. At least one publicized open forum for members of the campus community to address the concerns regarding the ASUPS Media Department under review.
   3. An Emergency Review may consist of other elements if deemed necessary by the ASUPS Media Board.
   4. The ASUPS Media Board or a subcommittee of the ASUPS Media Board must administer each element of the Emergency Review process. However, the ASUPS Media Board may choose to out-source the financial audit.
   5. The ASUPS Media Board may request, if necessary, that the ASUPS Vice President appoint members of the campus community as temporary ASUPS Media Board members to assist in the Emergency Review process.
   6. The Emergency Review process does not have a limited time frame, but should the Review need to occupy more than one semester the ASUPS Media Board must report to the ASUPS Senate with a formal update at least once each semester.
6. Reporting the Results of an Emergency Review.
   1. Upon completion of an Emergency Review, the ASUPS Media Board will submit a written report and formally present their findings and recommendations to the ASUPS Senate. The ASUPS Media Board will recommend one of the following actions:
      1. End the Emergency Review as the ASUPS Media Department was able to rectify the situation.
      2. Continue the Emergency Review of the ASUPS Media Department in question for an additional semester, with specific conduct recommendations to that ASUPS Media Department.
      3. Terminate the ASUPS Media Department.
         1. The ASUPS Media Board must issue a full copy of this report to the ASUPS Media Head in question.
         2. The ASUPS Media Board must retain a full copy of the report in its records for no fewer than ten years.
         3. The public portions of the report will be made available to the campus community.
         4. The Media Department will remain terminated for the remainder of the academic calendar, and eligible to be reinstated as a Media Department by a majority vote of the Senate at the start of the Fall term.

J. Revisions of the Student Media Board Bylaws

Any future alteration of the Student Media Board section of the Bylaws must be reviewed by the Board of Trustees' Academic and Student Affairs Committee and approved by the full Board of Trustees prior to final Senate approval.