Spring Break
We are not corporate media
Sean Reed
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Opinion
Apparently, transparency between students and university administration is not something valued by CSU President Larry Penley.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the editorial staff got wind of a secret meeting between our favorite university president and key members of the Fort Collins Coloradoan.
The subject of the meeting -- a possible cooperative relationship between the university and Gannett, their publishing organization. Loosely translated - they were talking about a takeover.
The fact that the university would even consider selling a student organization that has operated for 117 years is a travesty, but what is particularly disgusting is the manner in which they attempted to start negotiations.
This morning was the first time that any members of student media -- including professional staff -- were alerted to the potential discussion of a sale, but several sources, including Bob Moore, editor in chief of the Coloradoan, indicated the meeting had been in the works for a while.
It is unclear when exactly the date of today's meeting was set, but it is clear that today's discussions took root in November when, according to Moore, the Coloradoan contacted the president's office to discuss the student paper, clearly sensing an opportunity to move in on our paper in the wake of the Sept. 21st Our View splash.
Penley, probably not a fan of the criticism solicited from CSU's student paper or of the negative feedback from the editorial, likely saw this as a golden opportunity to get rid of an especially pesky thorn in his side, hence his agreement to hear the Coloradoan's proposal.
What happened next is typical Penley.
Rather than alert the members of student media of the discussion, Penley opted instead to pursue the talks in a clandestine manner reminiscent of his move to amend the Long Bill last spring to allow a drastic tuition hike to pass without any input from students.
Unfortunately for Penley, Luke Ragland, director of legislative affairs for ASCSU, sounded the horn and alerted students they were being duped.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the editorial staff got wind of a secret meeting between our favorite university president and key members of the Fort Collins Coloradoan.
The subject of the meeting -- a possible cooperative relationship between the university and Gannett, their publishing organization. Loosely translated - they were talking about a takeover.
The fact that the university would even consider selling a student organization that has operated for 117 years is a travesty, but what is particularly disgusting is the manner in which they attempted to start negotiations.
This morning was the first time that any members of student media -- including professional staff -- were alerted to the potential discussion of a sale, but several sources, including Bob Moore, editor in chief of the Coloradoan, indicated the meeting had been in the works for a while.
It is unclear when exactly the date of today's meeting was set, but it is clear that today's discussions took root in November when, according to Moore, the Coloradoan contacted the president's office to discuss the student paper, clearly sensing an opportunity to move in on our paper in the wake of the Sept. 21st Our View splash.
Penley, probably not a fan of the criticism solicited from CSU's student paper or of the negative feedback from the editorial, likely saw this as a golden opportunity to get rid of an especially pesky thorn in his side, hence his agreement to hear the Coloradoan's proposal.
What happened next is typical Penley.
Rather than alert the members of student media of the discussion, Penley opted instead to pursue the talks in a clandestine manner reminiscent of his move to amend the Long Bill last spring to allow a drastic tuition hike to pass without any input from students.
Unfortunately for Penley, Luke Ragland, director of legislative affairs for ASCSU, sounded the horn and alerted students they were being duped.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 1/23/08 @ 6:22 AM MST
Did the Collegian announce it's F Bush headline before it caused all this. No it met in secret if at all , and just dropped the F Bomb on every student there without asking , or considering their subscribers rights to not be made a part of their rule breaking stupidity. (Continued…)
Arvensis
posted 1/23/08 @ 2:08 PM MST
"secret meeting" What a priceless description. I suppose that President Penley should make a public announcement every time he schedules a meeting? Maybe he should also ask the entire student body, faculty, and staff if they are in support of the meeting. (Continued…)
Joe Schmitz
posted 1/23/08 @ 5:13 PM MST
I cannot believe what I just read (BdyGard and arvensis). Deciding whether or not to privatise an institution that has been running for over 100 years is not an average meeting and yes he damn well should include the the entire CSU community when thinking of making a decision of such magnitude. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 1/24/08 @ 12:51 AM MST
First of all Joe Schmitz much respect for using your name.
Here is the problem. You the students are a major part of the school paper but you are not the ultimate part. (Continued…)
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