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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

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