Between the Associated Students ofthe University of Alaska
Fairbanks and the UAF Department of Journalism and Broadcasting

February 1998

Preamble:

The objectives of the Sun-Star are:

A. To provide UAF students and the campus community with a stimulating , interesting, and professionally produced student newspaper.
B. To provide a realistic and practical journalism workshop experience for students.
C. To provide an outlet or mechanism to insure freedom of press and thought for the students of UAF.
D. To emphasize UAF campus news and other information of particular interest to the campus.

Article I

This newspaper shall be published by a five-member publication board called, hereafter, the Board.

A. The Board shall consist of the following five members selected in the
following way:

1. The Sun-Star's advisor from the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting. (This advisor serves only in an advisory role to the Sun-Star's editorial staff, and has no direct say or control over the publication or editing of material which appears in the Sun-Star. This person assumes no personal legal obligation related to any litigation for material or articles published in the Sun-Star.)
   
2. The Head of the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting or his/her designee. The designee may be either a student or faculty member of the department.
   
3. The ASUAF President or his/her designee.
   
4. An ASUAF member selected by the ASUAF Senate.
   
5. A fifth member selected by unanimous agreement by the other representatives already on the Board . This Board member may be a professional journalist, student, or anyone else with special skills or perspective to contribute to the Board. It is assumed that the type of person appointed to this position will vary from year to year, depending on the needs of the Board and the Sun-Star.
   
6. The current editor of the Sun-Star will serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) member.

B. The term of office for Board members will be one year. There is no limit to the number of terms a member of the Board may serve.
C. Any student member of the Board applying for a position with the Sun-Star that is compensated, either with pay or academic credit, shall step down from the Board during the selection process, and shall resign if selected. The member stepping down shall be replaced by an alternate selected in the same way as the original Board member.
D. The Board shall elect a Chair and a Secretary at the first meeting of the academic year. Both positions shall be elected by a simple majority.
E. The Chair shall be responsible in calling the meetings of the Board.
F. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of the meeting.

Article II

A. The Board shall have the responsibility of selecting and removing the editor through the following procedures:

1. The Board shall solicit applications for this position for a 3D-day period. The Sun-Star shall publish a 2x3 column inch house ad announcing this position opening for three consecutive issues during the period when applications are being accepted.
   
2. The Board shall select the editor by April 15 in the spring semester.
   
3. The Board shall select the two best applicants for the editor and then choose the finalist by a vote. The finalist must be selected by a majority (3 votes) of the full Board. Absent members may vote by absentee ballot.
   
4. The term of office for the editor is one year. An editor may only serve more than one term if no other qualified applicants are found.
   
5. The editor may be removed for failure to fulfill the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of the position as set forth in the job description written by the Board.
   
6. Formal disciplinary action must be initiated by a 4/5 vote of the entire Board and shall consist of the following steps:
   a. Notification of a formal hearing to the party against whom action is being initiated must be made in writing within 24 hours of the Board's action. Notification shall include the reasons for the hearing and shall be made public. The notification must be made at least 48 hours before the hearing is held.
   b. The Board shall convene a formal hearing as soon as possible after obligations outlined in (Article II 7a) above have been fulfilled, with a quorum present and presided over by the ASUAF Ombudsman or his/her designee. The Chair of the formal hearing shall have no voting powers. The hearing shall be public. The Board shall present its case in form of a written brief. The party against whom action is being taken shall have the opportunity to submit written and oral arguments and to call witnesses on his/her behalf.
   c. After full discussion, the Board shall adjourn for at least 12, but not more than 48 hours. After reconvening, the Board, with a 4/5 majority of the full Board present, may vote to pursue disciplinary action, which may include a vote to censure or remove the person. It shall take a 4/5 vote of the full Board to take either action. Absentee ballots are permitted. The board's decision is not subject to appeal.

B. The Board shall meet at least once a month between August and June to review the newspaper and make comments, suggestions, and recommendations to the editor. The Board shall also set aside an item on the agenda for the editor to make a presentation if he/she desires. The editor shall also present a written monthly financial report to the Board at each meeting.
C. All powers not specifically delegated to the Board shall be reserved for the editor.

Article III

The responsibilities of the editor shall include but not be limited to the following:

A. The editor shall have full responsibility for personnel decisions subject to
University regulations and the following grievance procedure.

1. All decisions to discipline or remove staff members shall be subject to appeal to the Board.
   
2. The editor's action may be overturned by a 4/5 vote of the Board.

B. The editor shall be responsible for the content and production of the paper
and shall attend the monthly meeting of the Board.
C. The editor shall see that a copy of each issue is sent to every member of the
Board each week.

Article IV

The financial concerns of the Sun-Star and the Board shall be handled as
follows:

A. The editor and the Board shall be jOintly responsible for the fiscal health of the
paper.

Signed by:

Stephen E. Nuss
ASUAF President

Jean Richardson
ASUAF Senate Chair

Charles Mason
Head, Department of Journalism and Broadcasting