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Gannett: CSU turned down sale of Collegian, partnership dismissed
Advisory committee members question timeline, administration's intentions
Erik Myers
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: News
"Strategic partnership is the phrase that Dr. Penley and Christine have been using, and I think that's probably just as good a phrase as any," Moore said in a Jan. 22 interview.
Connell's contradicting comments were raised during Thursday's meeting of the Collegian Advisory Committee, in which members expressed concern over the committee's purpose.
Dell Rae Moellenberg, a university spokesperson, said that from what she knew, the closed-door meeting between Penley and Gannett representatives centered on nothing but a partnership.
"That spokesperson was from the corporate office … Their spokesperson, I believe, didn't have the full story," Moellenberg said. "From what I understand, they approached us about a partnership, and we said if you want a partnership, please put together a proposal. At no point has the president's office ever said that they were approached for a sale."
Katie Gleeson, president of the Associated Students of CSU, was present at the closed-door meeting, and says she does not remember terms of purchase being offered by Moore and Chin.
"From my recollection, there was never really any discussion of price or buying, I don't really recall that being any part of the conversation," Gleeson said.
But Greg Luft, chair of the Journalism Department, told committee members that in his e-mail conversations with Moore, the executive editor had expressed interest in a takeover of the Collegian.
"Bob Moore told me directly that they didn't want to buy the paper, but they wanted to acquire the paper and operate the paper as a for-profit entity," Luft said. "… They were interested in running a business."
Following discussion over the latest confusion, Amy Parsons, associate legal counsel for CSU, said the Board of Governors, who oversee Board of Student Communications, the Collegian's publisher, had not looked at the bylaws of the committee for the past twenty years, even though bylaw changes had been made during that time without the approval of the Board of Governors.
Connell's contradicting comments were raised during Thursday's meeting of the Collegian Advisory Committee, in which members expressed concern over the committee's purpose.
Dell Rae Moellenberg, a university spokesperson, said that from what she knew, the closed-door meeting between Penley and Gannett representatives centered on nothing but a partnership.
"That spokesperson was from the corporate office … Their spokesperson, I believe, didn't have the full story," Moellenberg said. "From what I understand, they approached us about a partnership, and we said if you want a partnership, please put together a proposal. At no point has the president's office ever said that they were approached for a sale."
Katie Gleeson, president of the Associated Students of CSU, was present at the closed-door meeting, and says she does not remember terms of purchase being offered by Moore and Chin.
"From my recollection, there was never really any discussion of price or buying, I don't really recall that being any part of the conversation," Gleeson said.
But Greg Luft, chair of the Journalism Department, told committee members that in his e-mail conversations with Moore, the executive editor had expressed interest in a takeover of the Collegian.
"Bob Moore told me directly that they didn't want to buy the paper, but they wanted to acquire the paper and operate the paper as a for-profit entity," Luft said. "… They were interested in running a business."
Following discussion over the latest confusion, Amy Parsons, associate legal counsel for CSU, said the Board of Governors, who oversee Board of Student Communications, the Collegian's publisher, had not looked at the bylaws of the committee for the past twenty years, even though bylaw changes had been made during that time without the approval of the Board of Governors.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 3/08/08 @ 10:43 PM MST
congrats to the Collegian on not being sold. Now if you guys can stay away from future profanity and articles glorifying theft and drunkenness , and write more articles like the Holocaust piece I am behind you 100%. (Continued…)
Deebo
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:49 AM MST
"Strategic partnership" means sale 9 times out of 10. Dr. Penley's background is in business. Makes sense.
Craig Hawley
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:55 AM MST
well said deebo
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