LETTER: Why should newspaper “get the boot” from ASUSU?
Dear Editor,
I was saddened to read a report of the recent ASUSU resolution to give the Utah Statesman “the boot.” This appears to be a hasty lame duck action without out much research or fact finding. Perhaps if the resolution had not been rushed through in one evening a few more facts could have considered.
The Utah Statesman is a newspaper. It is not an ASUSU newsletter. It has been serving students for over 100 years. It operates independent of ASUSU for a very good reason. it is a campus voice. Campus surveys indicate that over 90% of the students read the Utah Statesman not only for campus happenings but also national news stories. The Utah Statesman on-line edition is used by alumni and friends around the country. Subscriptions of the newspaper are mailed each week to people who want to keep in touch with what is happening at USU.
I am not sure where Mr. Millet got his statistic about only 30 people are employed by the Utah Statesman. The payroll includes many more writers, advertising representatives, and a graphic designer. I understand that Mr. Millet made several walk-by surveys of the office. If he had inquired for more information it would have been provided. The office in the evening is a very busy place with many students working to meet deadlines for the three times a week publication. The 1:30 a.m. deadline requires many late nights to cover the events. The daytime hours on the editorial side might seem quiet but the business office is busy throughout the day. I am quite sure that there are not any ASUSU offices that have that much activity in a week.
The current office location was remodeled just two years ago to accommodate the expansion of the women’s center on the third floor. It was very expensive to install computer lines, new lighting, specially designed cabinets, and an office. The current location makes the office accessible to students and faculty. It seems like a waste of student and university funds to make this change. I know that every President wants to leave his mark, but this resolution should have been recognized by the other ASUSU officers as something that should have been “booted” out.
Marilyn P. Grunig