University Policies

PUBLICATIONS

A. Newspapers, newsletters, yearbooks or any other publications by registered graduate or undergraduate student associations are subject to the direction and supervision of assigned University administrative personnel. Any publication not produced by a registered student association is subject to the provisions of the Distribution of Information policy above.

B. The student press shall be free of unnecessary institutional or student association control. Publication staff shall not be arbitrarily disciplined as a result of student, administrative, faculty, alumni or community disapproval of editorial policy or content.

C. It shall be clearly stated in all student publications that the opinions expressed therein are not necessarily those of the University of San Diego or of its Student Body.

D. Student publication responsibilities include:

1. Maintaining sufficient levels of journalistic integrity with regard to verification of facts prior to publication. That is:

a. Identify all writers and sources of information and make such information available to the Advisors, upon request. When published, identity may be withheld upon request of the writer or source.

b. Refuse publication of any information if the writer or source has not been identified.

c. Refuse publication of material which is libelous, seditious, obscene, unidentified or incompatible with the educational goals of the University of San Diego as set forth in the Preamble to the Student Code of Rights & Responsibilities.

d. Possess a sufficient understanding of an article's implications prior to publication.
2. Writing in accordance with accepted principles of English composition.

E. The official undergraduate publication of the Associated Students of the University of San Diego is the VISTA, which is published by the University of San Diego.

1. The VISTA shall have two Advisors: an Administrative Advisor responsible for review of the paper's content and for operation of the paper, appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs ; and a Faculty Advisor responsible for journalistic development of the student staff, appointed by the chairperson of the Department of Communication Studies, College of Arts and Sciences.

2. The VISTA Editor-in-Chief shall be a full-time undergraduate student who has achieved and is maintaining a full-time academic load and a 2.5 GPA, and has been selected and approved according to the process as set below in this Code.

3. VISTA Editor-in-Chief Selection Process:

a. The following individuals will participate in the selection of the Editor-in-Chief: AS President or designee; AS Director of Public Relations; AS Senior Senator (appointed by the AS President); outgoing VISTA Editor; outgoing Director of Finance; at-large VISTA member (appointed by the Editor); Administrative Advisor; Operations Advisor; Faculty Advisor; and Communication Studies faculty member (appointed by the chairperson of the department).

b. Each individual shall have one vote in the selection process. The candidate receiving the majority of votes will become the new Editor-in-Chief.

c. The process shall be completed not later than twenty-five (25) days before Spring Commencement each year.
4. The Editor-in-Chief shall, with the Administrative Advisor, establish and adhere to a format for regular review of VISTA content and form prior to an issue's publication. In the event of a disagreement with the Administrative Advisor's decision on the content of a story or advertisement, the Editor shall request a meeting with the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee to appeal the Advisor's decision.

5. Appeals shall follow the following procedures:

a. The Administrative Advisor and VISTA Editor-in-Chief make a statement to the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee on the issue in question.

b. The Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee examines the respective positions, consults "expert" sources on the matter in question, as is necessary, and issues a statement on the dispute.

c. The decision by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee shall be final.

6. VISTA Editorial Staff Status:

a. The VISTA Editor-in-Chief shall serve a term of one year. The Editor may apply for a second term per the application process outlined in the VISTA Student Publication Board Charter.

b. Section Editors shall be appointed on a yearly basis at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.
For further information please refer to the VISTA Student Publication Board Charter, revised July, 1996.