GOVERNMENT BILL 142

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

An act to order a referendum on reorganizing the student media authority

WHEREAS,   Article V of the Student Body Constitution provides for the structure and composition of the Student Media Authority and its board; and,

and,

WHEREAS,   the current governance structure of the SMA is widely criticized as ineffective; now, therefore be it

ENACTED,            by the North Carolina State University Student Senate that:

Section 1.        Article V of the Student Body Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:

Article V STUDENT MEDIA

Preamble – Code of Ethics

The student media are valuable in establishing and preserving an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and intellectual exploration within the University community. To that end, the North Carolina State University Student Media exists to ensure that the code of ethics is followed. If such a goal is to be reached, freedom of inquiry and expression are guaranteed and, of equal importance, corollary responsibilities must be exercised by student editors and managers to provide reliable and responsible journalism. Such responsibilities include the avoidance of libel, obscenity, undocumented allegations, undue harassment, and unwarranted attacks on personal integrity.

SECTION ONE – Student Media Board of Directors jurisdiction

All Media which are supported in whole or in part by funds from University Student Media Fees shall be defined as Student Body Media and shall be under the jurisdiction of the Student Media Board of Directors.

SECTION TWO – Student Media Board of Directors composition

Composition of the Media Board of Directors shall be:

A.      Three Student Body Representatives elected at-large in the Student Body Election;

B.       Three student college representatives, elected by and from their respective colleges in Student Body Election, as apportioned to the colleges in the Media Statutes;

C.       Two faculty representatives, selected by the Faculty Senate on staggered two-year terms, as apportioned to the colleges in the Media Statutes;

D.      Three individuals not under the employ of the University providing expertise on media management qualified and selected as provided by the Media Statutes;

E.       One representative from each Student Body Media, chosen as provided by the Media Statutes, non-voting;

F.       The Treasurer of the Student Body, ex-officio, non-voting;

G.       The senior-most professional employee of the Student Media, non-voting.

G.

Elected student members shall not be members of the Student Senate or of a Student Body Medium. In the event an elected seat becomes vacant, a replacement member shall be selected by the Student Body President.

SECTION THREE – Student Media Board of Directors powers and duties.

The Student Media Board of Directors shall:

A.      Update and determine the Charters for each student body medium.

B.       Select each publication's top editor and the radio station manager, provided that all such appointments be made in sessions open to the Student Body.

C.       Determine an annual media budget for the Student Media.

D.      Determine and update when necessary, the Student Media Statutes.

E.       Determine and update when necessary, the Documents of Policy.

F.       Approve contracts for services.

G.       Approve the transfer of funds to and from the Media's Reserve.

G.

SECTION FOUR – Student Media Board of Directors meetings

Student Media Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly, on such schedule provided by the Media Statutes. Quorum of the Board shall be a simple majority of voting members in office, and shall always include at least three students. No business shall be transacted without quorum, and only voting members shall count in determination of quorums.

SECTION FIVE – Student Media Officers

The Student Media Board of Directors shall elect from the Student Body Representatives a Student Media Chairperson, who shall serve as presiding officer.

SECTION SIX – The Student Media Statutes                                                                                

The Student Media Statutes shall be the by-laws of this Article of the Constitution and shall require passage by a two-thirds majority vote of the Student Media Board of Directors and shall not require passage by the Student Senate.

Each Student Body Media Charter must be entered in the Student Media Statutes. The Student Media Statutes shall be considered a part of the Student Body Documents and shall be available for the information of the Student Body.

SECTION SEVEN – Expiration

The Student Media exists to maintain popular control over student fee funds. This article shall cease to be in force should use of student fee monies to support student media be entirely discontinued.

Section 2.        This act shall enter full force of effect on the election of the Student Media Board of Directors. Such election shall occur in the next Fall or Spring Student Body Election following ratification of this act. The existing Student Media Authority shall remain in force until the completion of this election.

Section 3.        Upon enrollment, this act shall be presented to the Student Body in the form of a referendum. This act shall become effective upon approval of two-thirds of those voting in the said referendum.

I hereby certify that this bill was read twice and adopted by the North Carolina State University Student Senate, this 19^th day of March 2004.

______________________________________________

Erich M. Fabricius

Student Senate President

I hereby signify my approval of this bill as adopted by the North Carolina State University Student Senate, this _______ day of ____________, 2004.

______________________________________________

Tony Caravano

Student Body President