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Show page 4 signpost nov. 3, 1972 I 1 J I funding study urged, dollars can be saved letters to the editor letter writers charge, condemn, praise, hit, comment, propagate.. Remember the good old days when education's chief problems were building enough buildings for the bulging studentbody and finding skilled, trained and adequate professors. Those problems have not been solved entirely, but a new dimension has been added - declining enrollment. This new situation, of course, provides headaches for President Bishop and other administrative officials, but it also creates problems for student government. Fewer students means less money from activity fees and a smaller student government budget to work with. Yet, there seems to be no lessening of demands on the budget for the "pressing" needs of the various student organizations. A few weeks ago we mentioned one method of paring the present budget which drew some amount of comment. One area of the budget was not discussed, namely the appropriations given the Signpost by student government every year. This year's estimated newspaper appropriation is more than $11,000 with the Signpost being responsible for raising another $16,600 (via advertising). In other words, every student on campus is "taxed" about $1.50 a year to support the publication of the Signpost and pay its expenses. One dollar and fifty cents is not very much money, but $11,000 is and if at all possible, the Signpost , and every funded organization on campus, ought to be required to financially maintain itself to the maximum. How can Signpost save the students $11,000? Sell more advertising space. It costs about $100 to print a four page issue of the Signpost, $200 for an eight page issue, and about $300 for a 12 page edition. Presently the unwritten rule is for the Business Manager to sell enough advertising to pay for only the printing costs of any given issue. Thus for an eight page edition a combined total of near three pages is sold, raising about $225. This leaves about five full pages (combined) to use for news stories. But what if the policy was to pay for the entire cost of the newspaper, (i.e. printing, salaries, supplies, etc.) and still retain the same amount of news space. It could be done by merely increasing the total numbers of advertising pages. That is, print a 12 page edition with seven pages of advertising and five pages of news. Such an edition would bring in about $525, up some $300 from present policy, with an increase in expense of only about $100-110. Over a period of time this added money would either pay for most or all of the newspaper's expenses saving the $11,000 now shelled out by the students. Bear in mind, this idea would NOT involve cutting the amount of news offered the students. Most newspapers have a far higher proportion of advertising to news than even this new proposal envisions. Students at Weber State deserve a break and if $11,000 can be saved and put into other studentbody enterprises then a careful study of the situation is needed. We therefore urge the Executive Cabinet, the Senate, the Publications Board, and the administration to at least examine this concept. We realize that even if approved this idea cannot be immediately implimented, but let the preparations begin. Dear Editor: In your last editorial you were balling out all students who were not a member of these "private" committees - - Dance Committee, Traffic Committee, etc. I used the word "private" because that is what they seem to be. I have never seen a sign or read anywhere about how us "quiet cussers" at WSC could become a member of these committees and be heard. I myself have been on a private protest of the lack of parking at WSC by not buying a parking sticker and by parking off campus. But you and I both know that the only good this is doing me is saving me $7. Therefore, I would very much like to know how to become a member of these committees and have my voice heard. Charles Franklin Luke (When the various committees were opened at the beginning of the quarter, stories were printed in the Signpost announcing these openings and where to apply for them. Also, if a person were truly interested in a position on one of the committees, it wouldn't be hard to find out how to get involved. The secretary in the student activities center located in the northwest section of the Union Building can help put you in touch with the right people. Mike. P.S. parking fees are $6 per year.) Dar Editor: For five weeks now the Signpost has littered the halls, classrooms, and garbage cans of WSC campus, and, with all the pornagraphy floating around, it's a relief that there DOES EXIST a paper on campus that is not obscene, but may be obtained FREE. As a past member of a school paper, I would like to compliment you on a couple of points. 1. The organization of the Signpost - after taking into consideration your expert handling of "tomb-stoning" of the Signpost, I have the slight impression you've exceeded yourself. 2. The few good articles the Signpost has produced it's comforting to know that someone over there at the Signpost Acorn cares aboutit's readers, but, God did not spare Sodom and Gomora for a few good people!!! And now Editor, with the neon glory light flashing upon your face, and with your permission, I turn my words towards the readers. In these past weeks we have been confronted with the Signpost's 'new image' as opposed to last year. Last year we were bombarded with sordid images of campus life and this year we are presented with a high school operetta oriented towards the soap opera - Dr. Zesus' view of life. Our minds have been automated with ideas that campus life is full of serenity, that school is nothing morethan'queen-for-a-day' or perhaps those little notions that the WSC 'Cats' are back because they can whollop the last place team in the conference. How can we allow our senses to be programed when there's virtually no limit for imput? Oh! If you're wondering where my spirit's at, well, I'm glad you asked - It may be located across the street at the Institute dwindling among the bishops, or sometimes enveloped by the next Fraternity and Sorority love-in, or maybe, meditating about the upcoming Intramural Banana juggling tournament. The Signpost is the only material we students have to read on campus besides the quarterly syllabus. It's a pity they're so similar. As of now, senor Editor, I have been humored by your newspaper, and if that is what you had in mind, I compliment you ever again. Now I must close, and I leave you with your problems to ponder. . . Gary Ray Ortega (continued on page 5) |