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Long debate ends with introduction of three professionals

By Daily Bruin Staff

April 10, 1996 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 11, 1996

Long debate ends with introduction of three professionalsBy
Jason Packman

Daily Bruin Contributor

With little of the fireworks that accompanied a debate for
months now, the students’ association’s Communications Board
unanimously changed its membership of professional media members
from one to four.

"It’s been a long trip," said board Chair Deanna Cherry after
the vote was taken.

The board voted to change how professional members were
appointed, deciding that the professional members can be nominated
by either the Student Media Director or the Operations Committee,
rather being nominated solely by the Student Media director.

Also passed were proposed changes to the editorial
nondiscrimination policy, which were initiated and recommended by
editors of the student newsmagazines.

The constitutional changes still need the approval of Chancellor
Charles Young.

At the March meeting, newsmagazine editors openly opposed
proposed changes to the makeup of the board. However, following the
meeting, they re-evaluated their position, and decided to support
the proposal with only minor changes to the constitution.

"We didn’t read the constitution carefully (before the March
meeting), and once we did, we realized that the constitution did
protect Student Media," said Bruin Life Editor Quan Duan during the
meeting.

The passage of the related proposals signifies the end of a long
process that began last year when Media Director Arvli Ward
proposed the addition of three professional members. Ward and other
supporters of the change to hoped to expand the resource base of
Student Media.

As it stands, the Daily Bruin is the only publication that
regularly turns a profit, and in therefore uses its revenue to
supports the newsmagazines, Bruin Life and radio station KLA.

The constitutional changes are part of Ward’s larger plan to
develop Student Media that historically have been unable to be
financially independent.

Changes to how professional members would be added to the board
pleased Patrick Kerkstra, next year’s Daily Bruin editor in chief.
While he still had second thoughts about the addition of
professional members, he was now taking a wait-and-see attitude, he
said.

Norm Pattiz, the current lone professional member and chairman
of Westwood-One radio corporation, was pleased with how the vote
turned out.

"I think that it was good that the board passed it and that it
was passed unanimously," he said.

Daily Bruin editor in chief Roxane Márquez, who has
repeatedly opposed restructuring measures, continued to voice her
adamant disagreement with to the measure.

"I’m neither shocked nor dismayed; it was everything I
expected," Márquez said. "I wish more people would realize
that (one person) represent the entire Daily Bruin staff ­ 150
plus people ­ while there are seven newsmagazine editors and a
yearbook editor.

"I haven’t completely abandoned the idea of continuing to fight
this," she added.

Ward, however, was pleased that the constitutional changes were
finally passed.

"I think it is a move that will create a lot of positive
things," he said. "It is the start of some very good things. I’m
happy … Now comes the hard work of actually getting new
people."

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