MARCH 28, 2007

CAMPUS

Cont. - SU Votes for More Input on Independence

Teresa Wright-Constable.

..about any proposals discussing changes to management of the papet.

She said she also originally thought the committee’s purpose was only to generally discuss avenues of independ- ence. But after the committee focused its discussions mainly around the ISMS pro- posal, she felt it necessary the proposal be brought to council for consideration.

“We thought it was worth giving (ISMS) a shot to propose it to us, but as we were sitting there meeting, I know, for myself, I didn’t feel this is the way we definitely had to go.”

After the student council meeting, Palmer — who was hopeful the proposal would be received favourably by council — said he was disappointed in the stu- dent union president’s absence from the meeting, as he felt Gallant could have helped to clarify the confusion and con- cerns about the proposal.

“Ryan Gallant and I have worked hard on this even before the committee was struck initially, so, you know, it’s a bit disappointing for me to see this.”

Student council unanimously passed a motion to restructure the commit- tee, acknowledging the previous Cadre Direction Committee wasn’t working. The new committee will now include

one member of the Cadre editorial staff. | - the Cadre will:-become autonomous until

_ details of a possible change in manage-

a member at large of the cadre staff and a trained journalist who has worked in print media, as well as two members from the student union.

any member of ISMS, but will still con- sider ISMS’ proposal, alongside propos- als from any other interested groups, societies or individuals.

The committee will make its recom- mendations to student council regarding future management and autonomy by December.

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1 Weare eR AL FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK

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University Newspapers Across Canada work Autonomously

Teresa Wright-Constable Wright-Constable is a journalism student at Holland College

The Cadre’s fight for independence from UPETD’s student union isn’t over yet. But it is a battle several university newspa- pers in the region have also fought — and won,

UPEI student union decided March 25 to hold off on determining whether

ment are worked out. But the Muse, Memorial’s student

The committee will no longer include | newspaper in Newfoundland, has been

_ autonomous for about four or five years.

Arts editor Angie Barrington said

| independence from student union is very _ important for her paper because they _ had to fight for it.

“We try to focus more on what stu-

_ dents care about and what is pertinent to ' students without worrying about trying

to please our union or our administra- tion.”

The Brunswicken, UNB’s campus paper, is also autonomous.

“You need to be able to do certain things. You can’t have the student union coming in and saying, “No you can’t print that,”’ said Bill Traer who heads up sales for the newspaper.

Despite their autonomy from stu- dent council, however, both newspapers answer to a board of directors.

Barrington said the Muse’s board in- cludes a member of Memorial’s student union, as they were once run by student council.

“Our board of directors doesn’t do a whole lot. It’s in case an issue ever does come up that they could perhaps do something. But it’s never come up.”

Traer said his paper’s board, made up of editorial staff, university and alumni representatives and one student union member, does have the power to veto or

pull an item — but only in theory.

“They, in all likelihood would never do that. They wouldn’t see it.”

At UPEI, the Cadre is still funded and overseen by the university’s student union.

But management at the student news- paper has wanted autonomy for the last few years, and has been very public for the last year fighting for independence.

The issue was sparked last winter when university officials removed most of the Cadre’s February issues from campus after the paper reprinted contro- versial Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Most recently, the Independent Stu- dent Media Society proposed to student council they assume control over the Cadre, releasing it from student union control and placing it under ISMS man- agement.

ISMS president Ryan Palmer said he feels there is a desire at UPEI for the Cadre to be more independent.

“There’s a general feeling that student union is not meant to be in the publish- ing business.”

Richard Kurial, who is co-ordinator for Bachelor of Applied Arts in Print Journalism degree and the Dean of Arts at UPEI, said he thinks the Cadre’s continuous fight for independence stems from the paper's turbulent history.

“They didn’t like student council having a veto over what went into their paper, which theoretically they had. And they argued that they should be inde- pendent of the student council. So I think that’s the source of the debate.”

But he was reluctant to comment on the current debate over the Cadre’s fate, as it could be seen as administration meddling in student affairs.

“It’s important to know that senior administrators are loath to engage in an issue of student politics,” said Kurial.

Amber Metcalfe wins Female Athlete of the Year

Marcel Pellerin Reporter

Amber Metcalfe, who is a first year ACE student of UPEI, has been competing in the Special Olympics for five years.

She travelled a “four day bus ride that was long and cramped” to Brandon, Manitoba to compete in Nationals. She won medals in butterfly (bronze), back stroke (silver) and front stroke (gold).

Amber is swimming her way to the top. She also competes in freestyle and the breast stroke.

“T enjoy spending time with my coaches and mom,” she said. “And I was nervous when they called my name,” Metcalfe said, talking about the award ceremony a few weeks ago where she received the Female Athlete of the Year award for her accomplishments in 2006.

Amber also curled for the first time in the winter special olympics this year, she didn’t place in Bathurst, NB but she said that isn’t always the most important thing.

“My coach says if you don’t win, just enjoy yourself,’ Metcalfe said.

Overall she plays a variety of sports including: basketball, bowling and snow- shoeing.

Amber has worked hard to get to where she is, practicing four times a week, three days at the pool and one at the gym. The Special Olympics are always looking for willing volunteers to help out in the program. Debbie Met- calfe, Amber’s mother, is a swim coach as well as a softball coach.

“She’s very excited about it, and it’s a deserving award for her,’ Debbie said when talking about the recent award.