Policy 6-408: Student Media Council

1. General Regulations
2. Student Media
3. Student Media Council

Purpose and Scope‌

1. Purpose.

   This Policy sets forth principles for oversight and operation of the University’s student media outlets, and establishes the Student Media Council to oversee funding and operation of such student media outlets, in accord with further regulations to be approved by the Board of Trustees.

2. Scope

   This Policy applies to all student media outlets (as defined here) and to all students or other University personnel involved in any of the activities of any such student media outlet. In particular it applies to the editors, managers, and staff of any student media outlet listed in the definition below.

Definitions‌

1. ”Student Media” refers to any University-wide student media outlet, and any products, related services and business functions of any such student media outlet, which is supported entirely or in part by student media production fees. It includes the following media outlets as defined by Council Policy and Procedure.

Policy‌

1. General Regulations‌

   1. Students who are involved in student media activities (as defined here) are required to comply with Policy 6-400, and the rules, regulations, and laws governing the University.

2. Student Media‌

   1. The student media shall be free of illegal censorship. Editors, managers, and other employees of student media outlets shall not be dismissed or suspended solely because of student, faculty, administration, alumni, or community disapproval of content or editorial policy; provided, however, that sanctions may be imposed on editors, managers, and other employees of student media outlets by the Student Media Council in accordance with previously established written policies, procedures, and implementing guidelines previously approved by the Board of Trustees and in effect at the time the cause for imposition of such sanctions occurred.

3. Student Media Council‌

   1. The Student Media Council (“Council”) is hereby established. Its members shall be appointed by the University’s Board of Trustees and the Council shall report to and be overseen by the Board. Further description of the membership structure and authority and functions of the Council shall be provided in a supplemental rule(s) approved by the Board and disseminated to the University community.

      1. [See current version of Supplemental rule on Student Media Council Policy & Procedures]

   2. Such supplemental rule(s) shall be consistent with the following principles and requirements:

      1. The Council shall oversee all University-wide student media outlets, related services, and business functions supported entirely or in part by student media fees.

      2. The Council shall have authority, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, to establish general policies and procedures regarding editorial, production, marketing, promotional, advertising, and business operations of student media outlets, as well as the makeup and operations of the Council itself. Such policies and procedures shall comply with applicable University Regulations and laws and ensure the protection of academic, creative, and journalistic freedom.

      3. The Council is committed to innovation, open governance, and the primacy of student involvement.

      4. The Council shall have the custody of, and administrative authority over, budgeted funds allocated to publications, broadcasts, and strategic communication agencies within its jurisdiction and shall have the responsibility to account to the Board of Trustees for the expenditure of such funds and for the audit and control of their financial accounts.

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         Sections IV- VII are for user information and are not subject to the approval of the Academic Senate or the Board of Trustees. The Institutional Policy Committee, the Policy Owner, or the Policy Officer may update these sections at any time.

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Policies/ Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms and other Related Resources‌

1. Policies/ Rules. [reserved]

2. Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms. [reserved]

3. Other Related Resources.

References‌

1. Policy 1-007: University Speech Policy

Contacts‌

The designated contact officials for this regulation are

1. Policy Owner(s) (primary contact person for questions and advice): Liaison to the Board of Trustees

2. Policy Officer(s): Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Senior Vice President for Health Sciences

   See Rule 1-001 for information about the roles and authority of policy owners and policy officers.

History‌

1. Current version. Revision 0.

   1. Approved by Academic Senate April 30, 2018 and Board of Trustees May 8, 2018 with effective date of May 8, 2018.

   2. Legislative History Revision 0

   3. Editorial Revisions

      1. Editorially revised August 15, 2023 to delete reference to Policy 6-400 as “student code”.

      2. Editorially revised August 15, 2023 to move to current regulations template.

      3. Editorially revised October 11, 2011 to reflect the changes in Employee definitions as set forth in Policy 5-100

2. Previous versions.

3. Renumbering

   1. Renumbered from Policy 6-401 May 8, 2018. Previously numbered as PPM 8-11 and earlier as University Regulations Chapter XI.