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Show WEDNESDAY, AUGUST lS, 1999 UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OPINION !PAGE 14 THE JOURNAL IS YOUR PAPER M any papers are owned by corporations, or by eccentric old men who hide their money under their mattresses and are never seen by light of day. Many of those will print only what they want to be news. This newspaper is not one of those many. This newspaper is the voice of the students of Southern Utah University-a// of the students of Southern Utah University. This newspaper is not an arm of student government or of the SUU faculty, staff or administration but strives to be an independent voice in behalf of all students. To this end, this space will be regularly used to voice the opinion of this newspaper as a single entity; as an advocate for students and of any worthy cause in search of defense. The basic function of any newspaper is to communicate to the human race what its members do, feel and think. The public's right to know of events of public importance and interest is a newspaper's overriding mission. These responsibilities require journalists to perform fairly, accurately, objectively, intelligently and professionally in serving the truth-the primary duty of jo.urnalism. Truth is our ultimate goal. The Journal strives to serve its readers' interest fairly and accurately at all times. It will not give favored news treatment to any special interest groups. The University Journal will not invade private rights or feelings without sure warrant of public right as distinguished from public curiosity; nor will it publish material which is malicious, libelous, involves character assassination, is obviously untrue or discriminates. It will not publish official charges affecting reputation or moral character without an opportunity given to the accused to be heard. News reports will be free of the opinion or bias of the writer. The Opinion section is the proper forum for those thoughts which fall into that category. It is the privilege, as it is the duty, of the University Journal to make prompt and complete correction of mistakes-in fact or opinion-of consequence, whatever their origin. Good faith with the reader is the foundation of all journalism worthy of the name and a newspaper is constrained by good faith to be truthful. The University Journal should not be excused for lack of thoroughness or accuracy within its control, or failure to obtain command of these essential qualities. Because the University Journal's journalistic mission involves public trust, it is essential not only that editorial independence and integrity be assured, but that suggestion of obligation, bias and conflict of interest be avoided. Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know. Members of the University Journal staff go to great lengths to avoid personal involvement in campus affairs and campus activities that could create a conflict of interest, or the appearance of one. Staff members will take all possible care to ensure the integrity of the paper by not allowing their affiliations with other Cijmpus entities into the newsroom, and to not use their position on the newspaper for the furtherance of the goals of such entities. Staff members will make other members of such entities fully aware of this stance. 'Mlile editors are constantly faced with the challenge of determining what is newsworthy and how and where it is placed, students and all readers should know that their input is encouraged and welcomed. There are several ways of reaching readers through the University Journal. The space to the right details those avenues: SOUTHE RN UT A H UNIVERS ITY · CE DAR (ITY UTAH DIRECTING STAFF ANO DESK PHONE NUMBERS: Editor Kamilynn Egan 586-7750 Associate Editor Anna Turpln 586-7759 Opinion Director Cami Peoons 586-7759 Photo Editor Jerry Curtis 586-7750 Copy Editor Deborah Perry 586-1992 Focus Editor Lisa Dawn Perry 586-1992 Arts Editor Kevin Haring 865-8443 Sports Editor Jasen Asay 865-8443 Almanac Editor Lizzy Rugg 865-8226 Ad Manager Miranda Mabbutl 586-7758 Ad Designer Jansen Gunderson 586-7758 Faculty Advisers Larry Baker 586-7751 • Morris Brown 865-SS56 SENIOR STAFF WRITI:RS AND REPORn:RS' DESK 5118-n57, 586-5488 The UMWSl(y IS put,bhed _ . , Monday Tlvsday of lhe academic year by tor the slUdent body of s.,._,, Utah Urwonily II , . . . _ advl-t lrom tile unvenily's c:cmmunlc:ncn dopattment and from lhe urove,Uy lldrrwnoslnlion The vi._ and oponions expressed In tile .Joumal are lhOSe of individual and do not necnurily refled Iha Yi- of tile ins1lrubOn, l'aailty. stall 0( body in gene,-.!. The uns,gned direcly lbove " lhe opn,an ol lhe Un,..,.,,., Jo,Jmai as a single enllly. i.... IO the editor must be typed indude lhe name Ind phOne number Only tile name will be pnn1ed. Names will not be WIChheld . . - . . . , orcunstances and the ecilor resen,es editing priweges. lAlleB must b e • - by 5 p.m. Tlkrsdays tor lncluslon in Monday edloons• .., by 5 p m Mond.ys tor Th<nday edillan5 Grlevancn: Any - . a l wit, a g,,eva'1QI 8jl8inst the .Jounal should direct sue!, ~ Int IO the edilOr If unresolved. !hat QMY.,_ Sl'loud lhen be direded IO the faculty.the Joumal Steering Comtrollee, wlloch IS chared by Or F....,, G Pearson. -7971 Unlvwsify Journal: Olficas ,n SUU Tecmology BUlkling 011 Mlil Ill SUU, Cedw Clly, Utah 8-4720 FAX (•35) 586-5487 E-<11M addreu jol.mal@sw edu Cr-a OH RECYCI..EO PAPER. Pl.EASE RECYCLE llilS COP't'. THl5 5PACE AVAILABLE We're looking for a cartoonist. If you can comment artistically and wryly on issues of campus concern, give us a call at 586-7750. How to use the newspaper This newspaper stands constantly ready to serve the interests of its readers; the bulk of which are the students of Southern Utah University. The Journal's primary responsibility is to serve its readers. While it also may exist to train student journalists, that purpose is best served by diligent exertion of and dedication to the first principle. Part of any student's education is the forming of opinions and it may be quite difficult to do so without knowing what all opinions on a certain subject are. This newspaper plays a role in allowing all these opinions to be heard. We will print letters to the editor, although we reserve the right to edit due to space limitations. The ideal length for a letter is between one full page and two full pages of doublespaced typing. The letter needn't agree with our point of view-it can even be critical of us. It must not, however, be libelous or obscene. The Journal does not print anonymous letters and checks the identity of letter writers . Letter deadlines are listed in the box at left in each edition of the newspaper. The 'Access' column is a chance to spout off at a bit more length. It should not exceed four typed pages. Deadline for this column is three days prior to print. Readers also have the power to access the paper through classified ads, Almanac sub-missions, and article ideas. Deliver these, and all letters and 'Access' columns to our offices (TH 011) or send them ,___ _ _ __ through campus mail. All classified ads must be paid for in advance, however. Almanac submissions may be phoned 24 hours a day to 865-8226. E-mail for lhe Journal is: journal@suu.edu. Letters and other materials may be transmitted to that address. Student clubs and organizations are encouraged to make use of the back page of the newspaper by having their news placed on the SUUSA full-page Th J advertisement. To do so, those interested must contact representatives in the SUUSA offices in the Sharwan Smith Center. The Journal is not authorized to accept additions, subtractions or corrections to this page other than from duly authorized - representatives of the SUUSA president. The Journal adheres to the following guidelines: Any criticism of groups or Individuals shall be on a responsible basis and no material malicious or libelous in nature, or that involves character assassinatioR, will be published. The newspaper shall reflect responsibility to all members of the university community, and the editors shall seek press accuracy and fairness at all times . Responsibility to the public interest is vital and won't be used to advance any selfish interests. A more complete handling of this topic is contained in the space to the left. If readers have problems or grievances with the newspaper or with any of its editors or other staff members, there is recourse available. SO, Those who feel they have a grievance are encouraged to speak directly with the editor, Kamilynn Egan , TH 011, 586-7750. If the problem remains unsolved, complainants may speak with the adviser, Larry Baker, TH 011A, 586-7751. If the problem is still not resolved through this avenue, a meeting with the Journal Steering _ _ _ _ _ CQmmittee may be scheduled through the adviser or through Neal Cox, assistant to the SUU president, in AD 312C, 865-8552, or communication department chair Frain G. Pearson, CN 213C, 586-7971 . The Journal and its staff look forward to serving the campus community this year and further encourage those who would utilize the paper or who would be a part of it to contact us in our offices in the lower level of the Technology Building. The weekly staff meeting is Mondays at 4 p.m. / e ourna eXiStS first and foremost tO Serve its fieader.s and h ·1 d · W I e OJng staff members prepare themse/VeS for Careers In j.OLJ/ina/J.Sm. \. |