San José City College was founded to serve the San José community in 1921. The college’s award-winning newspaper, The Times, was established in 1956 to provide a key forum for campus news, information and opinion for approximately 10,000 students, faculty, staff and administrators each semester. It has been printed every other Thursday, eight times a semester for 45 years.

SAN JOSE CITY COLLEGE TIMES PUBLICATION POLICY
(Adopted by the College in 1991)

PHILOSOPHY

Freedom of expression is guaranteed students by the San Jose City College Academic Freedom Policy, which states:
Students enjoy the freedom to express and defend their views, and to question or differ without suffering repression or scholastic penalty.
For student journalists, that freedom is reinforced by the First Amendment to the Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of the press. The right of student journalists at colleges and universities to print without censorship, prior restraint, or management by college officials has been recognized by the courts.
With freedom, however, come responsibilities. Student journalists, who are solely responsible for the operation and content of their newspapers, accept an equal obligation to meet commonly accepted journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, honesty, impartiality, and common sense in fulfilling these responsibilities.

EXPLANATION

A.Purpose
A newspaper’s policy provides the framework of principles and practices within which editorial decisions are made. It prescribes the newspaper’s conduct, determines its personality and character, and provides for uniformity and continuity under changing personnel; however, it is neither static nor uncompromising, and should remain open to discussion and change.

B.Function
The role of THE TIMES includes:
Providing a practical laboratory experience for students who are interested in careers in journalism or in learning about print media.
Informing the San Jose City College community — students, faculty, staff, and administrators — about college activities and other matters that may affect or interest them.
Striving for fair, complete, balanced and accurate reporting and writing.
Acting responsibly within the constraints of time and space limitations, staff size, established journalistic practices and legal requirements.
Observing the standards of intellectual openness and taste reflected in a college community.

C.Responsibility
.THE TIMES is recognized as an instructional activity of San Jose City College. As such, in the spirit of shared governance, it is accorded the encouragement and support of the San Jose Evergreen Community College District Board of Trustees and of City College’s administration, faculty, staff and students.
Views expressed in THE TIMES, however, are those of student writers, editors, and contributors,

They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the district’s Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff, Associated Student Council, or other campus organizations.
The college and the newspaper staff subscribe to the principles of ethics cited in "A Statement of Principles" of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and in the Canons of Community College Journalism of the Association of Community College. (See links)
It is the adviser’s role:
To instruct THE TIMES staff in the techniques, procedures, ethics, obligations and legal constraints facing student and professional journalists.
To supervise the technical aspects of computerized newspaper writing, editing, design and production.
To direct business functions of the newspaper including advertising.
To serve as a liaison with the district’s Board of Trustees, district and college administrators, faculty, and other employees in carrying out TIMES activities.
To be guided by the standards set forth in the Code of Ethics of the College Media Advisers, Inc. (see link)
The adviser should function as instructor and counselor but not as a censor since this would violate students’ First Amendment rights of free expression.

GUIDELINES

A.Editorial beliefs
1.THE TIMES plays a vital role in the college’s information system and has an obligation to serve the campus community. This obligation, however, does not preclude publication of news, comment or opinion about issues of legitimate public interest and concern that may reflect unfavorably upon the institution or its trustees, administrators, faculty, staff or students. Free and open presentation of such issues, even if controversial, is in the best interests of the district and of the campus community.
2.THE TIMES should not subject individuals to personal attack. This does not prohibit informed and responsible criticism of decisions, policies or actions by individuals or groups regarding events of interest to the campus. Writers of such criticism, however, assume personal responsibility for the accuracy of the assertions offered as fact, and should expect to accept the consequences of misstatements.
3.THE TIMES shall not take positions in editorials about candidates for the San Jose Evergreen Community College District Board of Trustees or concerning local ballot proposals affecting the district. This requirement, stated in the California Education Code (Section 72632), further restricts the newspaper from "urging passage or defeat of any school measure of the district, including, but not limited to, the candidacy of any person for election to the governing board of the district."

B.Editorial Board
1.The Editorial Board of THE TIMES is responsible for interpreting and applying this policy and serving as the planning and decision-making body for the newspaper. As nearly as is possible, the Editorial Board shall operate under guidelines similar as those that govern professional publications.
2.Members of the Editorial Board agree to accept, as a group and individually, the responsibilities implied in this policy and in the Canons of Community College Journalism and in the American Society of Newspaper Editors’ Statement of Principles.
3.The board, to be appointed each semester, shall consist of the editor-in-chief, principal sub editors and other supervising staff members, as the editor shall appoint. All members shall be enrolled in the Journalism (Newspaper staff) class. The editor-in-chief shall chair regular board meetings, designating a senior editor to do so in case of absence.

Decisions of the Board shall be by majority vote, with sub editors receiving one vote and the editor-in-chief two. The adviser may participate in board discussions in an advisory and instructional role but shall not vote.

1.Editorial Board members may, as a group or as individuals, recommend candidates for editorship of THE TIMES. The adviser shall select the editor upon written application and interviewing of qualified candidates. The editor-in-chief shall have the power to appoint and remove sub editors in consultation with the adviser. The editor may be removed from office by the adviser for misconduct, neglect of duty, refusal to comply with TIMES policy, or academic or progress dismissal. Before removal, editors-in-chief shall be advised in writing of the complaints against them and shall be provided the opportunity to respond. If removed, an editor may be re-assigned to another staff position.

2.Topics to be considered by the Editorial Board include:

Discussion of editorials, columns and cartoons.
Discussion of the general shape and content of news and feature coverage in future issues.
Problems and complaints from inside or outside THE TIMES, and any problems or issues involving policy.
Editorial leadership.
Advertising content
3.The content of editorials and editorial cartoons appearing in THE TIMES represents policy decisions of the Editorial Board and should be approved by a majority of its members. Proposed editorials that fail to receive majority approval may run as signed opinion columns.
4. Advertising of a potentially sensitive or controversial nature should be presented to the Board by the advertising manager for approval.
5. The editor-in-chief is encouraged to consult the Editorial Board about coverage of controversial or otherwise sensitive topics before their publication. This in no way reflects upon the editor-in-chief’s power to make the final determination as to the suitability of editorial content for publication.

EDITORIAL POLICY

A.News Coverage
1.Since academic freedom is critical in an educational institution, THE TIMES should not print statements made by instructors, students and others during class sessions, unless permission is obtained; this does not apply to statements made in classes to which the public is invited as a campus event.
2.It is the policy of THE TIMES to publicly acknowledge errors made in reporting as promptly as possible. Publication of retractions or apologies, however, shall be approved by the Editorial Board.

B.Expression of Opinion
1.THE TIMES reserves the right for its editors to be the final judges of the newsworthiness and/or suitability of requests for coverage or of the use of press releases and information submitted for publication.

2.Since newspapers are forums for public discussion, THE TIMES encourages its readers to express their views on a broad spectrum of issues in the newspaper’s letters to the editor and opinions columns.

3.However, letters should not be published if, in the view of the Editorial Board, the contents are libelous, self-serving, exceed the bounds of contemporary good taste, attack individuals rather than discuss issues, or criticize individuals or groups because of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, or physical disability.

4.Letters to the editor should be typed and must bear the name of the writer unless nonpublication of name is approved by the Editorial Board. Editors reserve the right to edit submissions for style and length but not for content. Preference will be given for letters that are brief, are written by district students, faculty, staff and administrators, and comment on campus issues and do not reflect opinions offered recently by the same writer.

5.Guest columns of up to 1000 words MAY be printed at the discretion of the editor if space is available and if the subject matter is considered of interest to THE TIMES audience. All columns must be signed.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITY

A.Conduct
Conduct of staff members should be professional, both in and out of the newsroom. Staff members should identify themselves (press cards are provided) when appropriate in covering news events. They are to remember that THE TIMES is judged by their behavior.

B.Conflict of interest
Staff members may participate fully in campus activities; in doing so, however, they will act as individuals and not as representatives of THE TIMES.

C."Freebies"
Free meals, records, books and admissions to theatrical events, or other gratuities are to be accepted by TIMES staff members only with permission from the editor-in-chief and for specific coverage of news or feature events.

ADVERTISING
A.Revenue
Funds received from advertising in THE TIMES shall be maintained in a separate account by the college’s fiscal administrator. THE TIMES adviser may make recommendations for use of such funds, which shall be disbursed with the approval of the college president or a designee to support the institutional program in journalism.

B.Policy

1.Philosophy
The TIMES shall accept general advertising to defray publication costs, but the newspaper’s primary purpose is educational and informative, not commercial.
2.Standards
The TIMES reserves the right to refuse advertisements that are deemed by the Editorial Board to be inconsistent with the role of a college newspaper. Advertising will not be accepted that in the opinion of the Editorial Board:
i. Is misleading or that may be misinterpreted as to purpose or content.
ii. Attacks individuals or groups.
iii. Offers services or products that are illegal for all students.
iv. Offers products or services that the Editorial Board considers unethical or offensive to commonly accepted standards of taste in the college community.

THIS POLICY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION WITH STAFF MEMBERS OF THE TIMES, FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS. THE ADVISER WILL DISCUSS ITS PROVISIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SEMESTER WITH NEWSPAPER STAFF MEMBERS. AFTER THAT STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO THE POLICY AND TO CONSULT WITH THE ADVISER IF QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ARISE. ALL STAFF MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE COPIES; AN ADDITIONAL COPY WILL BE POSTED ON THE STAFF BULLETIN BOARD.