Media Board Meeting

November 9, 2007

Student Center

Blue and White Room

Present:  Susan Sweeney, Scott Hazan, Vivian Martin, Rebecca Barrieau, Matthew Barnes, Maurice Ledoux, Hilda Sullivan, Tiffany Moffo Simpson, Alexander Estrom, Wayne DeRoy, Melissa Cordner, Chris Boulay, Melissa Traynor, Lisa Gorski, David Cappella, Mike Galluzzo (Guest), Amanda James (Media University Assistant),

I.  Welcome

Ms. Barrieau called the meeting to order at 12:10p.m.

The minutes from the October 12, 2007 meeting were reviewed.

Motion: (DeRoy/Estrom) To approve the October 12, 2007 Media Board Minutes.

           Motion Passed (12 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstained)                                            

Ms. Sweeney said that Mr. Barnes and Ms. Barrieau will be sending around a link to the Media Board website to the students on campus.  Otis Mamed will be putting a link to the Media Board website on Central Pipeline so that it coincides with registration. 

II. Student at Large Position

Ms. Barrieau asked Mike Galluzzo, who is interested in the Student-at-Large position, to introduce himself.  Mr. Galluzzo is interested in the position because he would like to be involved with media organizations.  He feels that his minor in Communications will be helpful in this position.  Ms. Barrieau also read an application submitted by Shawn Ingraham.  He was not in attendance at this meeting.  Ms. Sweeney pointed out that the minutes of the last meeting indicate that the Board would appoint a Student-at-Large at this meeting.  Mr. Ledoux asked why Shawn was not present at the meeting.  Ms. James said that she did not send him an email until the day before the meeting.  Ms. Gorski said that she feels that he should have made the time because the Media Board typically meets around the same time each month.  Ms. Moffo Simpson asked if she would like Ms. Barrieau to call Mr. Ingraham to see why he was not in attendance.  Ms. Sweeney suggested that we give Ms. Moffo Simpson the opportunity to contact Mr. Ingraham and resume discussion of this topic when she finds out whether or not he can come to the meeting. 

III. Recorder Constitution

The Board had agreed to discuss The Recorder Constitution at this meeting.  Ms. Sweeney wanted to clarify that she and Mr. Barnes and Ms. Barrieau met in advance to discuss The Recorder Constitution.  She also pointed out that this is developmental conversation and that suggestions were not mandatory, just food for thought.  Mr. Estrom brought up his concern that media organizations be prepared in case of a conflict of interest.  Mr. Boulay said that they are looking at their ethics policy and hope to include a clause like that.  Mr. Barnes asked how someone becomes a voting member of The Recorder.  Mr. Boulay responded that you have to either be printed in 5 issues over the semester or be an editor.  Mr. Barnes said that his concern is that someone may not be allowed to be a voting member even though they have fulfilled the requirement of writing in 5 issues.  Mr. Boulay said this would only happen if there were extenuating circumstances.  Ms. Sweeney asked about whether or not this is ageless, if someone writes in 5 issues does that carry over into the next semester or do they have to start over again and write 5 pieces to become a voting member.  Mr. Boulay said that this is the case that every semester the slate is wiped clean and that they have to write 5 pieces again in order to become a voting member.  Ms. Sweeney pointed out that their constitution does not reflect that.  She also said that they have to include all full-time undergraduates as members, although they do not need to be voting members.  Mr. Boulay also pointed out that The Recorder has training sessions for people who want to write for the paper; however these sessions are not mandatory.  Ms. Barrieau explained the extensive training session that WFCS has and suggested that The Recorder look into something like this.  Ms. Traynor said that they wanted to put into their constitution that the writers should have taken certain journalism classes to write in The Recorder but they could not.  Mr. Barnes was also worried that the Editor in Chief could appoint anybody to be an editor and they would automatically be a member.  Mr. Boulay said that part of the problem is that they do not have enough writers and editors and that is why the requirements are not as strict as they would like them to be.  They do actively recruit members but have a hard time getting students to commit to The Recorder.  Ms. Barrieau said that she understands how difficult it can be to recruit but that they may want to consider doing something like an open house.  Mr. Barnes said that he had asked Otis Mamed if they would be able to have a table downstairs for the Media Board and do coffee hour and people could approach the Media Board for information.  Ms. Sweeney said that because of the length of our meeting unfortunately we cannot spend more time talking about The Recorder Constitution but that hopefully the leadership of The Recorder will take in account the discussion that we had today.

IV Student-at-Large Continued

Mr. Galluzzo had to leave at this time to go to class.  Ms. Barrieau asked the Board if they would be okay with voting for the Student-at-Large position now, even though Mr. Ingraham is not in attendance.  Mr. Galluzzo was asked to step out of the room while they made their decision.  Ms. Barriuea asked if anybody had anything to add before they made their decision about which if any of these candidates would be elected to the Media Board.  Mr. Estrom announced that he would not be voting on this decision as Mr. Galluzzo is a personal friend of his.  Mr. Boulay also said that he would not be voting for similar reasons.  Ms. Traynor said that she and The Recorder were concerned about Mr. Ingraham’s intentions.  She contended to say that Mr. Ingraham was one of the biggest proponents of The Recorder and reacted extremely negatively to recent articles published in The Recorder.  Ms. Traynor said that she thinks that it is important to take this into consideration when voting for a Student-at-Large.  Ms. Cordner said that perhaps he wants to be involved to help The Recorder improve. Mr. Cappella pointed out that the fact that Mr. Ingraham is not at this meeting and that this might be telling of what kind of board member he might be. Mr. Barnes pointed out that if Mr. Ingraham still wants the position next semester we will be in need of another Student-at-Large after Mr. Barnes becomes the chairperson. 

Motion: (Gorski/Ledoux) To elect Mr. Galluzzo as a Student-at-Large for the Media Board.

           Motion Passed (6 Yes, 0 No, 4 Abstained)                                              

V. Food for Thought

Mr. Barnes said that he took everyone’s suggestions about the Food for Thought Program.  Mr. Barnes suggested modifications to the program such as getting more student organizations involved besides the Media Board.  They hope to get people from the Theater Department to act out roles of certain characters.  They hope to get other departments involved as well.  They serve food and students who signed the contract for free food have their first amendment rights taken away.  Later in the night the students will be given their rights back.  SUBOG will sponsor a lecture series on the importance of the Constitution.  Later in the night there will be a party and music so the students can celebrate having their rights back. 

VI. Sharing

The Recorder shared their experience going to CMA, the College Media Conference.  Mr. Boulay said that there were workshops that were relevant to each of the members and that they learned a lot.  They are also looking to recruit members and looking more closely at their constitution.

Off-Center shared that they are still trying to figure out how they are going to get things started as far as finding a printer and working out all the details.  They have also been considering going on a retreat so that the members can get to know each other better as well as going to a conference.  They are also working on promotion of Off-Center.  

The Helix shared that they have grown a lot since last year and now have 15 members on their staff.  They would like to review their constitution and make some changes.  They are still working on recruiting and would like to encourage more English majors to participate in the Helix.  They are also maintaining their website. 

WFCS shared that they attending CMJ in New York City recently and that they had a great time.  They learned a lot at CMJ but are thinking about attending a different conference next year that might be more relevant to college radio.  They also recently hosted alumni in their station for coffee and the alumni were able to play some music and are looking to become community members. 

Last updated:  Friday March 14, 2008