2008 Woodie Awards
SB 31 endangers UST publications
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
When Senate Bill 31 was upheld last May, it effectively removed the Cauldron and Laurels from the protective umbrella of the students' governing body, and, as it now seems, left the organizations out in the rain.
As the Cauldron has stated before, the establishment of a publications board and fee is a good idea. Such a change would allow the publications to maintain autonomy from the administration and prevent any form of censorship. In fact, the Cauldron is supportive of the idea of a publications board and fee, assuming that the creation of this new format would do what it promised to do and not impede the function of the affected organizations.
It can now be seen that a good idea in theory does not always manifest as planned.
The problem with the reformations made by SB 31 is simply that they were made in haste without appropriate research, preparation and planning. The bill's creators neglected to consult members of the publications, study board models or create a time frame during which the board would be established before creating the bill. The quickness with which the Student Government Association made the decision to create and pass SB 31 made it impossible to have anticipated the results.
Now, the results are clear. No publications board has been created, as it seems, there simply has not been ample time to do so. Regardless, the Cauldron and Laurels are expected to function as normal. While all other student organizations received allocations last semester, almost a month into the year, the two publications still have no funding. The Cauldron continues to produce a product but has no sense of financial security, as the business accounts used to pay staff members, a printer and office supply costs dwindles.
The new system is not yet in place, and there is no longer a way for the publications to appeal. The Cauldron and Laurels are left wondering what sort of future they hold but are unable to request changes. There are no more appeals left.
It is now time for the students, faculty and staff who value the publications that exist on this campus and the contributions they make community to take a stand. It is never too late to make a wrong decision right.
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Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Cauldron editorial staff. All other columns and opinion pieces represent solely the opinion of the author.
As the Cauldron has stated before, the establishment of a publications board and fee is a good idea. Such a change would allow the publications to maintain autonomy from the administration and prevent any form of censorship. In fact, the Cauldron is supportive of the idea of a publications board and fee, assuming that the creation of this new format would do what it promised to do and not impede the function of the affected organizations.
It can now be seen that a good idea in theory does not always manifest as planned.
The problem with the reformations made by SB 31 is simply that they were made in haste without appropriate research, preparation and planning. The bill's creators neglected to consult members of the publications, study board models or create a time frame during which the board would be established before creating the bill. The quickness with which the Student Government Association made the decision to create and pass SB 31 made it impossible to have anticipated the results.
Now, the results are clear. No publications board has been created, as it seems, there simply has not been ample time to do so. Regardless, the Cauldron and Laurels are expected to function as normal. While all other student organizations received allocations last semester, almost a month into the year, the two publications still have no funding. The Cauldron continues to produce a product but has no sense of financial security, as the business accounts used to pay staff members, a printer and office supply costs dwindles.
The new system is not yet in place, and there is no longer a way for the publications to appeal. The Cauldron and Laurels are left wondering what sort of future they hold but are unable to request changes. There are no more appeals left.
It is now time for the students, faculty and staff who value the publications that exist on this campus and the contributions they make community to take a stand. It is never too late to make a wrong decision right.
-----------------------------------------------------
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Cauldron editorial staff. All other columns and opinion pieces represent solely the opinion of the author.