OCR Text |
Show Page 4 The Thunderbird Wednesday November 7, 1984 Utah open meeting law ought to be obeyed On Oct. 30 the SUSC Athletic Council held a meeting behind closed doors to discuss the revocation of an athletes scholarship. The Thunderbird protested the closing of that meeting, claiming in a letter to the council chairman that it was probably a violation of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act. This protest stemmed from an honest difference of opinion, and The Thunderbird made it clear in its protest that it was making no accusations of intentional wrongdoing. In short, the administration and The Thunderbird disagree on the interpretation of the law. The law states that meetings can be closed for discussion of the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Most news organizations have interpreted this to apply only when that individual is an employee. The administration disagrees. It is not for us to decide who is right and who is wrong in this dispute, but this situation points to a far deeper problem on this campus: no one seems to understand or abide by the law. The law requires that meetings of public bodies and committees of this college certainly qualify under that heading be held in the open, with the public and the press equally able to view the proceedings. Meetings can only be closed for a few specific and narrowly defined reasons. The law also requires the posting of agendas 24 hours prior to meetings. This is not being done. It may seem like a minor detail, but in reality it isnt. No news organization, including The Thunderbird, can report what is happening on campus if it doesnt hear about meetings where important decisions that affect students on campus are reached. Coach needs help, not Students who dont care what happens in these meetings are cutting their own throats. Many decisions and changes that affect Editors note: Paul Husselbee is a Thunderbird staff them are made in them. member and also assistant sports information director for The Utah Open and Public Meeting Act specifically states that SUSC. the Legislature finds and declares that the state, its agencies and Ive been a salesman of some kind ever since I was political subdivisions, exist to aid in the conduct of the peoples business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken a kid. When I was nine, it was Scout Fair tickets to earn a free pack. A year later, it was Little openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly. day-hik- e Lest anyone doubt it, decisions made by committees on this campus are certainly the peoples business. These decisions, and the deliberations leading to them, should be taken in the light of day and under the scrutiny of the public and the press. Moreover, campus committees should do a better job of notifying the press and public of meeting dates and agenda items. This is, after all, the law. Its a good one and needs to be obeyed. Che Chunderbird s'l nil VOLUME 79, NUMBER Editor Lynn Nolnn Managing Editor Doug Christensen Copy Editors Brndford Lewis Amy Pnge Photo Editor Tamara Rumbaugh Sports Editor Stewart Smith Ml M Ml t 'l h 4 Il'Mt ID .Ml 7 Entertainment Editor Lanai Greenhnlgh Senior Staff Writer Ralph Si Mock Production Manager Tracy Girdwood Advertising Manager Laura W earing Assistant Manager Brian Goettlich Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The ThuntierbirJ is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Lkah State College. The views and opinions expressed in The Thundirbird are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the institution, faculty, staff or student bixly in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name, student number (if from a student) and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Names will not lie withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves the right to edit letters for length and to preclude libel. Letters must be submitted by noon Friday for inclusion in the following weeks edition. The Thunderbird: editorial and advertising offices at 529 West 200 South, Cedar City, 7758. UT 84720. Mail at SUSC Box 384, Cedar City, UT 84720 (801) League candy to win a new. Later, I sold subscriptions to the newspaper I delivered to get a free trip to Disneyland. I always had success because I was able to find something about my product that everyone wanted, and I used that something as a major sales point. People could not resist an organized sales pitch with a major sales point. Nowhere have I more noted the need for a major sales point than I have with the promotion of this years Southern Utah State football team. In its zeal to foster public support for athletics, and the college in general, the Southern Utah State administration has gone all out to bring folks to home games. My, my, I havent seen a spread like this for athletic promotion in years. No sirreee. First, the administration pulls M.L. Smith, a master salesman, out of the forensics program to direct the hoop-la- . And what a hoop-l- a it is. Nice red flags all over town, fireworks after Thunderbird touchdowns and a cook-ou- t before the game. Next, theres the revitalization of the old worn-ou- t Quarterback Club. Now theyre calling it the Thunderbird Athletic Club, hoping the new name and identity will draw more interest and more scholarships to the college. Finally, there are new lights on the field, Eric Hemmert is walking around dressed as a bird, and a new interest in athletics has taken hold all over the college, fueled by administrative support. hoop-l- a These are all good moves. I honestly commend the college administration for finally recognizing the power intercollegiate athletics have in drawing attention to an institution. These adjustments were long overdue, and they help the school, for both its students and patrons reap rich benefits. Theyve forgotten one thing, though. Wheres the major sales point? Red flags are nice, fireworks are nice, but they dont mean a damned thing if you dont have a championship caliber team, one that consistently wins at home. Comparatively few people want to come see a team score a few touchdowns just to look at some fireworks. Dont get me wrong. Im not down on either Don Conrad or his team. Theyve done a helluva job this year with the resources theyve been afforded. There is a possibility they could finish second in the conference, which seems almost miraculous in light of the facts. So what are the facts? Well, consider this: About a month ago, Mesa College visited Cedar The City and our Thunderbirds ended up losing 28-teams were pretty evenly matched. I thought Mesa was outclassed for much of the game. Their players werent any more talented than ours. But they did have one advantage. They were better prepared. Mesas players carried out their assignments more efficiently and that made the difference in the outcome. But I dont think that can be blamed on Coach Conrad either. e You see, Don has one paid assistant coach, and Mesa has five. In fact, without exception, Southern Utah has the smallest coaching staff in the conference, and one of the smallest in the nation for a school of its size. is nice, but it doesnt win games. Sure, the hoop-l- a Flead coaches need assistants. mid-divisi- full-tim- |