2008 Woodie Awards
SGA seeks coverage in newspaper, but bans reporters from meetings
SGA policy practices create anxiety between organization and reporters.
By Lauren Kendrick
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
Originally published: 4/10/08 at 12:42 PM CSTLast update: 4/11/08 at 6:29 PM CST
Student Government wants to promote its activities in the pages of The Ranger, but does not allow reporters to attend its meetings at 2 p.m. Mondays upstairs in the craft room of Loftin Student Center.
Student life Director Jorge Posadas, also serving as an adviser to the group, told The Ranger April 7 that a reporter could come back at 3:30 p.m., "that's when the general public is allowed in the meeting."
However, the remainder of the meeting only lasted six minutes.
This is not the first time someone from The Ranger has not been allowed to attend the meeting.
This reporter was let into a meeting at 3:30 p.m. March 10.
This has happened despite student government's request for coverage over the past few weeks.
Political science Instructor Suzanne Martinez, the adviser to Student Government, expressed her frustration April 7 saying, "What do we need to do to make sure we get coverage in The Ranger?"
"Student government will just go over your head and speak to the adviser of The Ranger so we can make sure we get in," Martinez told this reporter.
Alton Tondre, vice president of Student Government, called The Ranger newsroom April 3 asking how he could buy a front page advertisement in The Ranger.
Journalism Instructor Susan A. Merkner told Tondre that The Ranger does not sell advertisements on the front page.
"The Ranger is committed to preserving the editorial integrity of its front page by keeping it free of advertising," Merkner said.
After the April 7 meeting, Tondre presented a sheet of paper that had information on application deadlines set for April 11.
When asked if Student Government had anything planned for Earth Day, Tondre said, "not that I know of."
In an article published by The Ranger Feb. 22, reporter Lauren Nichole Barrera was denied access to an association meeting because the members said they did not want to be misquoted by The Ranger.
Student life Director Jorge Posadas, also serving as an adviser to the group, told The Ranger April 7 that a reporter could come back at 3:30 p.m., "that's when the general public is allowed in the meeting."
However, the remainder of the meeting only lasted six minutes.
This is not the first time someone from The Ranger has not been allowed to attend the meeting.
This reporter was let into a meeting at 3:30 p.m. March 10.
This has happened despite student government's request for coverage over the past few weeks.
Political science Instructor Suzanne Martinez, the adviser to Student Government, expressed her frustration April 7 saying, "What do we need to do to make sure we get coverage in The Ranger?"
"Student government will just go over your head and speak to the adviser of The Ranger so we can make sure we get in," Martinez told this reporter.
Alton Tondre, vice president of Student Government, called The Ranger newsroom April 3 asking how he could buy a front page advertisement in The Ranger.
 Although Student Government told Ranger reporter Lauren Kendrick it has nothing planned for Earth Day, following the Monday meeting, the SGA vice president supplied her with this note. Listed are incomplete notices for SGA events and Earth Day. |
Journalism Instructor Susan A. Merkner told Tondre that The Ranger does not sell advertisements on the front page.
"The Ranger is committed to preserving the editorial integrity of its front page by keeping it free of advertising," Merkner said.
After the April 7 meeting, Tondre presented a sheet of paper that had information on application deadlines set for April 11.
When asked if Student Government had anything planned for Earth Day, Tondre said, "not that I know of."
In an article published by The Ranger Feb. 22, reporter Lauren Nichole Barrera was denied access to an association meeting because the members said they did not want to be misquoted by The Ranger.
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