11.06.2003
Campus newspaper looking for moral support
We received this a day or so ago. Phone number and other information have been taken off for obvious reasons:
From: Rebecca Wyatt [editor@oakpostonline.com]MORE: Student Press Law Center has a press release.
Subject: Student Newspaper looking for moral support
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 13:30:08 -0500
I am writing you as editor in chief of The Oakland Post at Oakland University in Michigan.
I know there is no formal relationship between our newspapers but I am asking for a favor.
Our newspaper is in the fight of it’s life right now. We are fighting our administration on an open meetings act violation and as many of your know, it can be a daunting thing to be up against the university.
Last January, two other editors and myself stumbled upon a meeting of the Board of Trustees. When we tried to enter the room we were told it was closed. We sat outside the room and waited for the people inside to come out. They finally exited and were moving to a private luncheon. We counted six of the eight board members. That’s a quorum. The General Counsel and Secretary to the Board told another person waiting outside the door that it was a formal session to discuss state budget cuts and the effect on higher education appropriations.
We asked the board repeatedly to admit that it violated the state's open meeting act but it would not. Students on campus signed petitions asking the board to reaffirm its commitment to openness and it would not. We finally filed a lawsuit against the Board of Trustees.
It went to court in May. Our attorney, who does represent large media organizations in the area, was up against six attorneys hired by the university, some of who were friends with the judge.
We ended up loosing the lawsuit but the judge did acknowledge the board violated the act by having a close formal session. He just decided that the Board is not subject to the Open Meetings Act.
This ruling mean the Oakland University Board of Trustees is not accountable to anyone. Not the students who pay tuition, not the employees, not the taxpayers. It’s a scary situation and while our newspaper hasn’t decided for certain whether or not it will appeal the decision but the chances are very likely.
We are looking for moral support from our colleagues---or you. We are hoping to have at least 50 newspapers backing us and basically just giving us some moral support.
If you are interested in standing up and supporting another student-run newspaper who is fighting against the university please let me know. I will be more than willing to provide you with any more information you need to make a decision.
We will also be at the National College Media Convention this week in Dallas. I would be more than willing to talk with any of you about our situation. Just let me know in advance.
At times like these it’s important to have the backing of your peers. Hopefully, this time around, people will take notice of just how powerful a group of students can be.
Rebecca Wyatt
Editor In Chief
The Oakland Post
www.oakpostonline.com
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