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Home > Administrative Offices > Division of Student Affairs > Dean of Students > Communications Board > Meeting Minutes > 11/17/2006 Meeting Minutes

11/17/2006 Called Meeting

The Campus Communications Board was called to order by the Chair, Russ Mast.  Members present were Octavia Meyers, Jennifer Outley, Robin Vickery, Michael Taylor, Dr. Pat Miller, Marcela Gonzalez, John Wright, Deven Jeffers, Andy Wood, and Adam MacDonald.  Guest present were Johnna Pinholster, David Rodock, Kerry Laster, Emily Zimmerman, and Tanya O’Berry.

Russ Mast, the Chair stated that the reason for the called meeting of Communications Board was to address the temporary suspension of Johnna Pinholster, Editor-in-chief of the Spectator, David Rodock, Opinion/Darkside Editor of the Spectator, and Kerry Laster, News Editor on Wednesday, November 15, 2006.  Russ Mast stated that he was asked by Dr. Pat Miller, Spectator Advisor to suspend the above mentioned Editors.  He reminded the Editors that this was not a disciplinary action through the Dean of Students Office but a suspension by the Chair of the Communications Board.  He also stated that this suspension would not be noted on their disciplinary records.  On Wednesday, November 15, 2006 he also appointed Adam MacDonald and Danielle Green as Interim Co-Editors.

Russ Mast then asked Dr. Pat Miller to address the committee as to the reasons for this suspension.  Dr. Miller stated that she received notice that there was possible legal action against the Spectator regarding the Darkside article “The unofficial autobiography of Robert Carlos Cortez Zaccari” that ran in the November 9, 2006 edition of the Spectator.  Dr. Miller then read her statement addressing the rationale for her request of these susupension.  (Dr. Pat Miller’s statement is attached)

Russ Mast then asked Dr. Miller if she had a statement for the Board and opened the meeting up to the Board for questions.  Dr. Miller stated that she had “no other option” in temporarily suspending the Editors of the Spectator regarding the November 9th article in the Darkside section of the Spectator.  Due to the fact that she has no control over content this was the only way to guarantee that another Darkside article of this nature would not run.   There is thirty minutes of questions and answers between the Board and Dr. Miller.  This can be heard in its entirety on the official recorded minutes of the November 17, 2006 Communications Board Meeting which is located in the Dean of Students Office.

Russ Mast then asked Johnna Pinholster, David Rodock and Kerry Laster to introduce themselves and their guests to the Board.  Guests included Emily Zimmerman and Tanya O’Berry.  Mr. Mast then asked the editors to make a statement to the Board and opened the meeting up to the Board for questions.  Johnna Pinholster stated that they still were not sure why they were suspended.  At this time Johnna, David and Kerry were given a copy and an opportunity to read Dr. Miller’s memo asking the Chair of the Communications Board to suspend them from their positions with the Spectator.  Johnna stated that Wednesday, November 15, 2006 was the first time that they had heard that there was a problem with the November 9, 2006 Darkside article.  She stated that the Spectator staff usually has a post production meeting on Thursday afternoons.  Dr. Miller did not show up or email Johnna that she would not be at the meeting.  The following Monday (11-13-06) Leah Cassorla came to the 2500 class and handed out a booklet on satire with no explanation. They stated that they knew that the article was in poor taste but was meant as test for Leah Cassorla to see if she would let in run.  There is thirty plus minutes of questions and answers between the Board and Johnna Pinholster, David Rodock, Kerry Laster, Emily Zimmerman and Tanya O’Berry.  This can be heard in its entirety on the official recorded minutes of the November 17, 2006 Communications Board Meeting which is located in the Dean of Students Office.  It should be noted that at the end of this question/answer session letters of resignations submitted by Johnna Pinholster, David Rodock, and Kerry Laster under their own accord effective Friday, November 17, 2006.

The Board deliberated and decided on the following recommendations. 

• The Communications Board recommended that Johnna Pinholster, David Rodock, and Kerry Laster be paid through the remainder of the semester (Fall 2006).
• The Communications Board recommended that at the beginning of each new staffing period of the Spectator that a satirical writing workshop be held by an outside professional.
• It appears that there are strong personality conflicts with the students and they do not feel comfortable addressing these concerns with Dr. Miller or Ms. Cassorla.  The students also feel that they are not being supported.
• The Communications Board expects no repercussions for any employee (paid or unpaid) of the Spectator who came before the Board to make a statement or answer questions.

Next meeting of the Communications Board will be Friday, December 1, 2006 at 12 noon in the Dean of Students Conference Room. Meeting was adjourned at 11:40 am.