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ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE 4500

COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS CCDAcademic Services

NEWSMEDIA

A. Philosophy:College news media are any news/feature publications issued under the name of the CollegeDistrict, funded by theDistrict, and produced by students as an integral part of instruction in the Journalism Department. It may include, but is not limited to, student newspaper reporting,broadcast news journalism and internet news journalism. The term "editorial" refersto all content other than advertising.

This administrative procedure recognizes Section 66301 of the Education Code, which went into effect January 1, 2007, and which states inpart: “Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize anyprior restraint of student speech or the student press.”

College news media, as laboratory publications of the Journalism Department, shall provide vehicles to train students for careers in mass communication. College news media shall also serve the entire college community by reporting the news, including college events and activities, providing a forum for comment and criticism, and encouraging free expression as guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

College news media are valuable aids in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion. College news media shall exercise editorial freedom in order to maintain their integrity as vehicles for free inquiry and free expression in the college community. Atthe same time, theeditorial freedom of the college news media shall entail corollary responsibilities.

Each college newspaper or other news medium is published as a learning experience, offered under the Journalism Department. The editorial and advertising materialspublishedineachnewsmedium,including anyopinions expressed, are

the responsibility of the student staff. A student editorial board should be formed for the news media involved. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. These procedures are adopted so as to encourage a

responsible exercise ofsuch freedom. B. Grievance Procedures:

1. Submit a letter to the editor on The Campus website

2. If the grievance needs further investigation,make an appointmentwith the

Campus Editorial Board:

a. Phone: editor’s desk (559) 737-4856 b. E-mail:

3. ThosewishingtoappealmaydosototheAcademicSenatepresident.

Journalism Grievance Procedures

Definition of a Grievance – A grievance is a complaint that includes allegations which, if true, would demonstrate a violation of the grievant’ s right to free inquiry, free speech, or fair treatment; contains allegations that appear to be substantially credible; and is not frivolous.

Informal Grievance Proceedings: Every effort will be made to solve a student grievance at the informal grievance level. The steps to proceed with an informal grievance are as followed:

  1. The student, who wishes to initiate the informal grievance process, will submit a letter to the campus editorial board. After receipt of the letter, the editorial board will notify the newspaper advisor.
  2. The editorial board will make every effort to resolve the issues and respond to the student in writing no more than two weeks after receipt of the letter.

Formal Grievance Proceedings:

  1. For formal grievance proceedings, the student will follow the provisions set forth in AP 5503 and BP 5503 provided that the procedures followed and/or resolutions sought do not violate the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America or other applicable laws and regulations.

Reference:EducationCodeSection66301

May12,2009

BP/AP APPROVAL PROCESS
Step 1 / Step 2 / Step 3 / Step 4 / Step 5 / Step 6
3-1-15;
La Serna / 7-30-15;
Senior Mgmt. / 8-17-15;
30 Day Review / *9/24/15;
Senior Mgmt. / *10/14/15;
Acad. Senate

*tentative dates