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The Nexus Publishing Society
Nexus became incorporated as its own society
on March 22, 1999. Operated before that by the Camosun College
Student Society, the newspaper now functions separately, complete
with its own constitution, bylaws, elected student board and paid CUPE staff. The purpose
of the society is:
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To publish informative, analytical and entertaining
materials with focus on issues affecting Camosun College
students; in the pursuit of which the society will strive
to maintain current journalistic standards of truth, fairness,
and accuracy.
Funding
The
Camosun College Student Society provides an annual grant of
around $65,000, an annual referendum grant of around $20,000, and the remainder of the paper's costs are
covered by revenues raised through selling ads and holding
fundraising activities.
Board
A board is elected at each annual general meeting of the society which takes place in early April.
Five positions are available, including president, vice-president,
treasurer, secretary, and one director. These individuals are
responsible for maintaining the operational side of the society.
They oversee the finances, policies and procedures, and staffing
needs of the paper. They meet about once every two weeks.
Vacancies during the year are filled through appointment.
Editorial Committee
An editorial committee is formed by contributors of the paper who attend our weekly meetings. This committee is responsible
for decisions relating to the editorial side of the society.
They meet weekly with the editors to provide advice and feedback
on editorial content ranging from writing and photography
to design
Membership
Membership in the Nexus Publishing Society is automatic to all
Camosun students registered in at least one credited course
and paying fees to the Camosun College Student Society. Members are eligible to hold board positions
and to vote at any society meetings, including the annual
general meeting, usually held in April.
AUTONOMY
Student newspapers have traditionally been created and promoted
by student societies. The student council, however, has
an inherent conflict of interest when dealing with the student
paper. Even the most sincere councilor, when dealing with
the newspaper's internal affairs, will be influenced by how
she has been or could be treated in the newspaper's articles.
In order to function as an independent
scrutinizer and reporter, the newspaper must be kept free
from interference and control by political or funding bodies.
If either can be used to manipulate the editorial content
or operation of the newspaper, newspapers cease to function
as they should.
Autonomy does away with the conflict
of interest, and leaves the newspaper free of fear of reprisal
or harassment for the way it reports on council, or indeed
reports anything.
Autonomy usually requires becoming
a separately incorporated legal entity with a board of directors
on which student council does not have a significant presence.
Student newspapers continue to
receive the financial support of the student society, who
is the only body on campus permitted to collect revenue from
the students for the purpose of supporting student services.
In some case, the money collected
from students goes into the coffers of the student society
before it gets distributed to the various services, one of
which is the newspaper. But in a growing number of cases,
especially where a legal contract or agreement separates the
student council from the newspaper, money collected from students
is earmarked for the newspaper and is transferred directly
to the newspaper without going through the hands of the student
society.
Student newspapers
throughout Canada have been progressively moving towards greater
autonomy. Freedom of the press is enshrined in the Canadian
Constitution and defended throughout the world; should it
not be defended just as much on student campuses?
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