SPECIAL MEETING
called for the purpose of hiring editors of two media

March 16, 2004 • 7 – 9 p.m.
Witherspoon Student Center

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:10 p.m. by the chair.

ROLL CALL

MEMBERS AND ADVISERS PRESENT: Thushan Amarasiriwardena, Carie Windham, Faith Leach, Lock Whiteside, Anjan Kundavaram, Jaime Trivette, Jerry Blackmon, Bradley Wilson, Carol Allen, Birnettiah Killens, Jamie Proctor, Tony Caravano, Ed Funkhouser, Sherry McIntyre, Joe Wade Formicola, Roger Cordes, Dan Holly

MEMBERS AND ADVISERS ABSENT: Nathaniel Horner, Shawna Jones, Nick Snell, Joe Constant, Emmaus Smith, Jamie Proctor, Seth Lester

NEW BUSINESS

The board briefly discussed goals and ideals for hiring student media heads, continuing a discussion held at the   March 1 meeting. Editors, friends and guests joined in the discussing, outlining the traits and characteristics of a good media leader. Attendees discussed passion, experience, ethics, dedication, accountability and leadership.

Before introducing candidates, the board decided to limit presentations and questions to 15 minutes each and that each candidate should leave the room while the other is speaking.

1. Appointment of Nubian Message editor

After the board voted to reopen the hiring process after the March 1 meeting, the board heard candidates for the Nubian Message, Jerry Blackmon and Robert White.

Before hearing a presentation from Jerry Blackmon, the chair pointed out that Mr. Blackmon had not signed a waiver to allow the Student Media coordinator to check his records. The waiver allows the coordinator to make sure each candidate meets requirements set out by the SMA policies. Mr. Blackmon said he did not feel comfortable signing the waiver after events at the December meeting.

Executive Session: The Student Media Advisory Board adjourned into executive session to discuss the matter.

Motion The board resumed open session and a motion was put forth to refuse to hear the application of Jerry Blackmon based on his refusal to sign the waiver. The motion was seconded and passed by a majority of the board.

The board asked Robert White to present for Nubian Message editor in chief. Mr. White offered a brief explanation of his experience and goals. He was then questioned by the board about his position paper. A member of the board brought up the point that Mr. White is expected to graduate in December 2004. Members questioned whether this would be violating SMA policies, which require an editor to have two full semesters remaining. Board members debated whether the summer could count for a full semester or whether his application should be accepted.

Executive Session: The Student Media Advisory Board adjourned into executive session to discuss hiring the Nubian Message editor in chief.

Motion: The board resumed open session and a motion was put forth to hire Robert White as Nubian Message editor. The motion was seconded and tied in a vote by the members. The chair broke the tie, selected Robert White as editor in chief of the Nubian Message.

Birnettiah Killens and Faith Leach left the meeting, Ms. Leach had told the board earlier in the meeting that she would need to leave early.

2. Appointment of Technician editor

The board heard a presentation from Jessica Horne for editor in chief of Technician. Ms. Horne offered a brief explanation of her experience and goals before being questioned by the board.

The board called Ben McNeely to present to the board. The chair noted that Mr. McNeely is not compliant with one of the requirements for editor in the SMA policies. Board members discussed the importance of standing by their previous statements and a motion was presented to refuse Mr. McNeely’s application because it did not meet requirements. The motion was seconded and adopted by a majority of members present.

The board briefly discussed GPA policies for all employees of Student Media but decided to postpone the issue until a later discussion or meeting.

The board heard a presentation from Matt Middleton for editor in chief of Technician. Mr. Middleton offered a brief explanation of his experience and goals before being questioned by the board.

Executive Session: The Student Media Advisory Board adjourned into executive session to discuss hiring the Technician editor in chief.

Motion: The board resumed open session and a motion was put forth to select an editor in chief for Technician by asking voting members to say the name of the candidate they selected. A majority selected Matt Middleton editor in chief of Technician.

ADJOURN

A motion was made to adjourn at approximately 8:35 p.m.