UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND STUDENT MEDIA GUIDE
Operating Policies and Guidelines
INTRODUCTION
The University of Portland seeks to provide an environment that facilitates
development and growth in all aspects of a student’s life: intellectual, spiritual, cultural,
social and physical. The Division of Student Services specifically is charged with
developing and maintaining a quality of student life that contributes to this development
of the whole person. Toward that end, the University supports co-curricular activities that
include a student-edited newspaper, The Beacon; a student-edited yearbook, The Log;
and a student-run radio station, KDUP. The President of the University is the publisher
of both The Beacon and The Log and holds an equivalent role with KDUP.
Students are encouraged to participate in Student Media – as volunteers or in paid
positions. Besides the opportunity to enroll in applicable print journalism and
communication courses, Student Media participants also have the opportunity to receive
on-the-job training.
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF STUDENT MEDIA
The Beacon is the student newspaper. The Editor in Chief is appointed by the
President upon the recommendation of the Student Media Committee. The Editor in
Chief, in consultation with the Student Media Adviser, selects the Editorial Board and
fills The remaining staffing positions. The editor reports to the Student Media Adviser. In
basic terms, The Beacon serves the University community by giving voice to its members
and providing relevant information and dialogue.
KDUP is a non-commercial, student-run radio station. The General Manager is
appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Student Media Committee.
The General Manager, in consultation with the Student Media Adviser, fills the remaining
KDUP staff positions. KDUP serves the University community by giving voice to its
members and by providing music, information, dialogue and deejay services.
The Log is owned and published by the University of Portland. The Editor in
Chief, who is appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Student Media
Committee, selects the remaining Log staff members. The Log serves the University
community as the official student-produced yearbook.
In providing support for Student Media, the University draws from the provisions
of the “Professional Code of Ethics of The Society of Professional Journalists” and the
“Code of Ethics for Student Journalists of the Associated Collegiate Press” and thereby
asserts: The duty of student journalists is to serve the truth. Toward that goal, the student
newspaper, radio station and yearbook are carriers of public discussion and information,
acting on the students’ freedom of expression to learn and report the facts. Student
journalists are obliged to strive at all times to produce the highest quality of work to
which they are able and to perform their duties with objectivity, fairness and accuracy.
BYLAWS OF THE STUDENT MEDIA COMMITTEE

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 Article I: The Role
The Students Media Committee is responsible for 1) defining the role and purpose
of each student medium; 2) recommending to the President the appointment or removal
of student editors and managers; and 3) providing on-going feedback to Student Media
leaders. The SMC is not involved in the day-to-day operations of Student Media,
although it can review operating procedures and budgeting, or review for gross
negligence. Acting as an advocate for Student Media, the SMC will seek to ensure
editors have resources and support to do their jobs.
Furthermore, the SMC will review all complaints not resolved by the Editor in
Chief, General Manager or Student Media Adviser(s), and can review for gross
negligence at any time.
Article II: Membership
At the discretion of the University President, the Student Media Committee will
include representation from all constituencies of the University (e.g., faculty, staff and
students). The membership is as follows:
a) COMMITTEE CHAIR
The President appoints a faculty or staff member to serve as SMC chair.
b) FACULTY MEMBERS
The Academic Senate’s Committee on Committees recommends three faculty
members for appointment to the SMC. The President appoints at least three
faculty members to serve as voting members of the committee. The President
may reappoint at least one faculty member from the previous year to maintain
continuity on the committee.
c) STAFF MEMBERS
The President appoints at least three staff members to serve as voting
members of the committee. The President may reappoint at least one staff
member from the previous year to maintain continuity on the committee.
d) THREE STUDENT MEMBERS
The Associated Students of the University of Portland recommends three
students for appointment to the SMC. The President appoints at least three
students to serve as voting members of the committee. Moreover, no more
than one student should be a member of ASUP Senate or its Executive Board.
e) DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The Director of the Office of Student Activities is a non-voting member of the
SMC.
f) NON-VOTING MEMBERS

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 The Student Media Adviser(s), The Beacon Editor in Chief, The Log Editor
and the KDUP General Manager also are non-voting members of the SMC.
They are required to attend regular meetings of the SMC.
In addition, all subcommittees formed by the SMC must include at least one faculty
member, one staff member and one student member.
Article III: Officers
Appointed by the President, the chair presides at all meetings, upholds the bylaws
of the Student Media Committee, signs and executes all resolutions and correspondence
for the SMC, and votes only in case of a tie. The secretary may be appointed by the chair
to keep minutes of meetings and to coordinate sub-committee meetings. Proxies are
allowed; however, every proxy must be authorized by signature by the represented SMC
member and shall terminate upon the conclusion of the specific meeting for which the
proxy was given.
Article IV: Meetings
Meetings of the Student Media Committee, called by the chair, are held a
minimum of once a semester. Notification of the time and place of each meeting, whether
the meeting is a regular or specially called meeting, is to be served to each committee
member and to any other interested party to whom notification may be appropriate due to
the matter(s) to be presented at that meeting, not less than seven days prior to each
meeting. A special meeting may be called at any time by the chair (or secretary). A
special meeting also may be called if at least three members request such a meeting in
writing. A quorum, calculated as half of the membership plus one, must be established for
any meeting to be official.
Article V: Jurisdiction
The Student Media Committee or its subcommittees may meet at the discretion of
the chair to consider written appeals or complaints not resolved through normal
procedures.
Article VI: Amendments
The Student Media Committee shall have power to recommend to the President
any changes to the committee’s bylaws as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE OF THE STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER(S)

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 A. The Student Media Adviser is responsible for the advising and supervising of his or
her respective Student Media operation -- The Beacon, The Log and/or KDUP -including its finances.
B. The Student Media Adviser(s) is appointed by and responsible to the Director of the
Office of Student Activities or his/her supervisors, e.g. the Vice President for Enrollment
Management and Student Life or his/her designee.
C. The specific duties of the Student Media Adviser(s) include the following:
1. Advise Student Media staffs to carry out the operating policies and guidelines
set forth in the Student Media Guide;
2. Ensure, in conjunction with editors and General Managers, that these operating
policies, guidelines and the mission of the University are understood and observed
by staff members;
3. Assist Student Media staff in the development of ethical standards and
practices;
4. Assist students in pursuing and maintaining the highest standards by providing
training and orientation;
5. Assume the general supervisory responsibilities for the Editors in Chief and
General Manger with the authority to caution, reprimand and/or place on
probation
6. Monitor group process and dynamics;
7. Serve as a liaison between Student Media and the University community;
8. Using accepted journalism standards, provide ongoing feedback as is possible,
both prior and post publication and/or broadcast;
10. Coordinate and advise in the selection and hiring of paid Student Media
positions;
11. Seek to assure that appropriate supplies and resources are available;
12. Counsel staff members individually or collectively;
13. Work with Editors in Chief and the General Manager to design and implement
training for staff members and conduct relevant workshops throughout the year;
14. Meet regularly to review publications and broadcasts with Editors in Chief
and the General Manager.
D. The Code of Ethics of College Media Advisers and the tenets of Teaching, Faith, and
Service within the Mission of a Holy Cross University shall inform and guide the work of
the Student Media Adviser(s).
THE BEACON
I. PURPOSES
1) to report relevant news to the University community;

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 2) to disseminate diverse ideas, information, opinion, entertainment and
advertisements to the University community;
3) to provide a forum where students, staff and faculty members engage in public
dialogue on campus-related topics, as well as a wide variety of public issues;
4) to serve as an educational laboratory for students and members of the
University community in which the ethics and skills of print and Web journalism
are practiced within the context of a Catholic community;
5) to serve as a vehicle for free inquiry and free expression
II. EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FREEDOM
The Beacon is owned and published by the University of Portland. The
University, in delegating editorial responsibility to student editors, provides both editorial
freedom and the ongoing financial support necessary for The Beacon to maintain its
integrity of purpose.
The editorial freedom of student editors is governed by our University’s Catholic
identity and the tenets of responsible journalism, such as the avoidance of libel,
indecency, undocumented allegations, harassment, innuendo and attacks on personal
integrity.
“The Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists” and the “Model
Code of Ethics for Student Journalists” of the Associated Collegiate Press as well as the
mission of the University should guide all staff.
Editors will respect and consider the academic and religious traditions of the
University and its community in formulating and promoting the paper’s editorial content.
Advertising content will be evaluated according to the advertising policies outlined later
in this guide.
III. ASSESSMENT
The editors and the Student Media Adviser will critique each issue of the paper on
a regular basis using standards for journalistically sound publications.
Members of the Student Media Committee may provide ongoing assessment to
editors and may solicit feedback from various elements of the University community.
Using standards for journalistically sound publications, local journalism professionals
should also be invited to regularly critique the paper with student editors, the adviser and
reporters.
IV. SELECTION AND TRAINING OF EDITORIAL POSITIONS
The Student Media Adviser coordinates the selection process of Editor in Chief
during spring semester of the academic year. The Student Media Committee interviews
the candidates and makes recommendations to the President, who then appoints the
Editor in Chief for the following academic year.
Editorial positions will be open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate
students. Preference will be given to candidates with journalistic experience and
academic preparation, including courses in writing, editing and communications law.

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 An Editor in Chief designee, without academic training in editing and
communications law, may be required to take those courses (or appropriate directed
studies) the summer prior to assuming the editorship. The Editor in Chief must have been
a full-time student at the University for a full academic year before assuming the
position. Exceptions must have the approval of the Student Media Committee.
Prior to the start of fall semester, all editorial staff members are required to attend
an orientation program coordinated by the Editor in Chief under direction of the Student
Media Adviser.
V. OVERSIGHT
The Student Media Committee, responsible for recommending the hiring of the
Editor in Chief to the President, also has the authority to recommend dismissal to the
President. If dismissal or review for gross negligence is considered, the Student Media
Committee or its subcommittee will hold a hearing and review the matter, and make a
recommendation to the President. No Editor in Chief will be dismissed without benefit of
due process as described above. Should, for any reason, an untimely vacancy of the
Editor in Chief position occur, the Student Media Adviser shall work with the Student
Media Committee to recommend a new candidate to the President.
Under normal circumstances, The Beacon staff will accept public complaints
concerning the paper’s content. When appropriate, the Editor in Chief may respond to
the complaint in writing. In the event that a complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, it is
referred to the Student Media Adviser. If the matter is still not resolved, it may be
forwarded to the Student Media Committee for review. The Student Media Committee,
after careful deliberation, will make a recommendation to the President of the University
about the need for further action.
Guidelines for the Editor in Chief to oversee the performance of other editors are
contained in “Personnel Guidelines for Student Media” found in the Student Media
Guide.
BEACON JOB DESCRIPTIONS
The Beacon Editor in Chief shall:
1. Be responsible for the production of a weekly newspaper with a minimum of 12
issues each semester, not including the summer term.
2. Be responsible for all material that appears in the publication, except for
advertising content. While advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of their
advertisements, the editor should monitor and approve advertising content so that
it is consistent with University values. Adhere to all University policies and the
basic tenets of responsible journalism as outlined on page 1 of the Student Media
Guide.

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 3. Exercise sound judgment grounded in fairness and accuracy and the canons of
responsible journalism. In cases of subjective analysis and editorial opinion, full
opportunity must be given for dissenting replies or opinions with equal space and
display, as determined by the editor.
4. Be responsible for all content in both the Faith and Fellowship and the Opinion
sections.
5. Consult with the Editorial Board to determine general editorial policy (as distinct
from opinion articles that represent the points of view of specific writers). The
approval of a simple majority of the Editorial Board is required before the
publication of specific editorials. Ensure that all editorial direction is guided by
the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
6. Maintain an open mind and be accessible toward all elements of the University
community, while realizing that students constitute its largest element. In so
doing, the editor shall personally, or through delegated staff members, maintain
reasonable access for individuals and campus groups wishing to meet with the
editor.
7. With regard to personnel issues, the Editor in Chief will:
a. In consultation with, and subject to the prior approval of, the Student
Media Adviser, appoint section editors as listed in The Beacon table of
organization. Business Manager and Advertising Manager are to be
appointed by the editor in consultation with the adviser. Actively recruit,
train and supervise staff, including volunteers.
b. Exercise leadership that establishes and maintains an effective and
productive managerial and editorial relationship with members of the staff.
By personal example, encourage similar relationships between section
editors and their staffs.
c. Provide leadership aimed at assuring optimum learning, including
enhancing the journalistic skills of staff members.
d. Foster an amicable and productive relationship with Student Activities
staff and with Communication Studies faculty and students to reinforce the
news and editorial roles, and the activities and learning experiences of the
appointed staff.
e. Establish close and productive working relationships with campus
services, the contract printer and other agencies that provide production
assistance and services.

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 f. Represent The Beacon as a non-voting member of the Student Media
Committee.
g. Maintain an effective working relationship with the Student Media
Adviser in his or her role as a resource and as a representative of the
University. To accomplish this, the Editor in Chief will initiate weekly
conferences with the Student Media Adviser.
h. Conduct ongoing evaluations of the performance and product of staff
members with regular written reports to the Student Media Adviser, and
through periodic conferences with individual staff members.
i. Follow the “Personnel Guidelines for Student Media” found in the Student
Media Guide in all matters dealing with the publication staff.
8.
a. Hold weekly meetings with the editorial staff to plan the news budget and
weekly meetings to critique the paper.
b. Prepare a written account of each week’s news budget, including a brief
description of each story that has been assigned (three or four words is
sufficient), the name of the assigned reporter and whether a photograph
assignment is planned. The budget shall be e-mailed by noon Wednesday
(the following day) to all section editors and the Student Media Adviser
and posted in the newsroom in a location visible to staffers.
c. When such help can improve the quality of the reporting and writing of
The Beacon, direct individual staff members to seek out the Student Media
Adviser for individual coaching.
d. Write (before concluding his or her term) an evaluation of the year that
includes a brief critique of each issue, lessons learned, problem areas,
suggestions for changes, etc. The editor also will be expected to train his
or her successor once that person has been selected.
e. In advance of each meeting of the SMC, prepare a one-page summary of
accomplishments, challenges and feedback related to The Beacon to date.
The Beacon News Editor shall:
1. Be responsible for all news content of the newspaper.
2. Edit and design the News section of The Beacon.

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 3. Assign reporters to report and write all content in the News section, including indepth reports, series, news events, news features and other copy as necessary.
4. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings
5. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
6. Assume the duties of the Editor in Chief when requested to do so.
7. Report and write stories as needed.
The Beacon Opinion Editor shall:
1. Edit and design the Faith and Fellowship and the Opinion sections of The Beacon.
2. Create a calendar for timely topics for both sections and conduct a systematic
outreach to solicit thoughtful, informed commentary from on-campus contributors
or contributors with appropriate campus ties.
3. The Opinion Editor also shall make a specific effort to keep informed and current
with national and international news and developments that might impact or be of
interest to members of the UP community and which would be suitable topics on
which to seek commentaries.
4. Understanding the challenges of working with individuals who may not be
familiar with newspaper deadlines, the Opinion Editor shall maintain a schedule
that allows him/her to begin work early enough in the news cycle to guarantee the
production of quality pages that are timely in terms of subject matter.
5. Work with contributors to insure their submissions adhere to AP and Beacon style
and provide Beacon readers with meaningful content.
6. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings
7. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
8. Assume other duties when requested to do so.

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 9. Report and write stories and commentaries as needed.

The Beacon Features Editor shall:
1. Be responsible for all features content of the newspaper.
2. Edit and design the Living section of The Beacon.
3. Assign reporters to report and write all content in the Features section, including
news features; features series; arts and entertainment news and events; profiles;
restaurant, film and drama reviews; and other copy as needed.
4. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings
5. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
6. Assume other duties when requested to do so.
7. Report and write stories as needed.

The Beacon Sports Editor shall:
1. Be responsible for all sports content of the newspaper.
2. Edit and design the Sports section of The Beacon.
3. Assign reporters to report and write all content in the Sports section, including
sports news, columns, profiles, series, features and other copy as needed.
4. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings
5. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
6. Assume other duties when requested to do so.
7. Report and write stories as needed.

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 The Beacon Online Coordinator shall:
1. Organize and posts content to The Beacon web site every Wednesday
evening/Thursday morning to correspond with publication of print version.
2. On a weekly basis, working with either the Editor in Chief or section editors, post
breaking news to The Beacon web site, but no more than two additional posts a
week.
3. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings
4. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
5. Assume other duties when requested to do so.
6. Report and write stories as needed.
The Beacon Design Editor shall:
1. Be responsible for the design and layout of all special sections of the newspaper,
such as those typically published around Halloween, Election Day, April 1st , the
school year end, and the first of the calendar year issue, usually the Student Voice
(approximately five per academic year).
2. Coordinate and direct the work of Beacon photographers and free-lance
illustrators to insure the paper’s visual element is strong and that visuals – either
accompanying written material or standing alone -- are used to inform and/or
entertain readers. .
3. Be responsible for designing all templates for the newspaper, including the
masthead, and managing the overall “look” of the paper throughout the school
year. This is to be done in consultation with all Editorial Board members (editors).
4. Check for design consistency on deadline night (Wednesdays) and be available for
on-call help to section editors for design assistance on Wednesday evenings.
5. Manage electronic photo files and all other image-related tasks.
6. Design graphics (i.e. tables, charts, timelines, and art elements) for section editors
as assigned and suggest the use of graphic elements, when appropriate.

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 7. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings
8. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
9. Assume other duties when requested to do so.
10. Report and write stories as needed.
The Beacon Copyeditor shall:
1. Be responsible for copy and line editing the newspaper, including original copy
submitted for Monday’s first deadline, and proofing the layout pages on
Wednesday’s final deadline. This includes copy and design elements from all
sections of The Beacon, including cutlines, information boxes, and headlines on
each page.
2. Serve on the Editorial Board and attend all Ed Board meetings.
3. Have a working knowledge of AP and Beacon Style guides or actively pursue a
working knowledge of both.
4. Be able and willing to work with reporters in a tactful, thoughtful manner to help
them recast and/or make changes to their work, when alterations are necessary.
5. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings, Ed Board
meetings and critique meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must
read that week’s publication. Absences must be cleared in advance through the
editor and Student Media Adviser.
6. Assume other duties when requested to do so.
7. Report and write stories as needed.

The Beacon reporter shall:

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 1. Report to the News or Features Editor and write one to two stories per week (of
generally 700 words), as assigned. Reporter is also required to offer a minimum of
two story ideas at the weekly news budget meeting.
2. Make edits and corrections to his/her stories each week after the copy is reviewed
and/or edited by section editors. When required, the reporter must complete
rewrites per direction of section editor. The reporter shall be given sufficient time
to complete rewrites.
3. Meet deadlines. Stories are due at 1 p.m. Monday of the week they are scheduled
for publication. Corrected copy is due at 4 p.m. the following day (Tuesday.)
4. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings and critique
meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must read that week’s
publication.
5. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor or Student Media
Adviser.
The Beacon Sports reporter shall:
1. Report to the Sports Editor and write one to two stories per week (of generally
700 words), as assigned. The Sports reporter is also required to offer a minimum
of two story ideas at the weekly news budget meeting.
2. Make edits and corrections to his/her stories each week after the copy is reviewed
and/or edited by section editors. When required, the reporter must complete
rewrites per direction of section editor. The reporter shall be given sufficient time
to complete rewrites.
3. Be willing to cover weekend games as he or she is available.
4. Meet deadlines. Stories are due at 1 p.m. Monday of the week they are scheduled
for publication. Corrected copy is due at 4 p.m. the following day (Tuesday.)
5. Attend and actively participate in all budget planning meetings and critique
meetings. Prior to attending the critique meetings, must read that week’s
publication.
6. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor or Student Media
Adviser.

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 The Beacon Photographer shall:
1. Be responsible for taking high-quality digital photos as assigned by Beacon
editors and/or the Design Editor. (The Design Editor’s responsibilities include
coordinating the work of photographers.)
2. Supply accurate identification and information for each photograph submitted to
section editors. Information shall include proper identification (full names,
correctly spelled; and class level) of all persons in the photo, a description of the
activity and/or the event, including the proper name of the event, the location and
date it occurred.
3. Maintain effective communication with section editors and Design Editor and
organize digital photos on deadline and in accordance with editors’ needs.
4. Participate in at least one job-shadow opportunity with a professional
photojournalist; the Student Media Adviser will coordinate with a local newspaper
to provide access to such training.
5. Attend and actively participate in all news budget planning meetings and critique
meetings. Prior to critique meetings, must read that week’s publication.
Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor or Student Media
Adviser.
The Beacon Advertising Manager shall:
1. Be responsible for managing all advertising content of the newspaper and
maintaining relationships with ad clients, both on and off-campus.
2. Maintain and regularly check the Beacon advertising e-mail account, to which
clients can electronically submit ads.
3. At the start of each semester, make in-person visits to ALL campus departments
(i.e. Residence Life, Health Center) and distribute ad-rate sheet and deadline
information to each department. Check in at least once each semester with each
client department.
4. Create and employ a plan to solicit new and continuing advertising from local
businesses and from national advertisers.
5. Design basic ads, when clients request those services, using QuarkXpress design
program. Scan already-designed ads or accept these ads via e-mail.

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 6. Check Beacon Advertising voice-mail at least every other day and respond to email inquiries and ad requests in a timely manner.
7. Check in weekly with section editors to determine pages with ads.
8. Submit a weekly written account to the Business Manager that includes a list of
all published ads; the accurate billing amount for each client; and client contact
information, including the campus billing account number.
9. Every Tuesday, “clear out” all Beacon pages (saving content to appropriate files)
and places new ads on pages.
10. Manage Beacon Online ads in conjunction with the Beacon Online Coordinator.
The Beacon Business Manager shall:
1. Be responsible for billing all advertising in the newspaper and maintaining
business relationships with ad clients, both on and off-campus, and
representatives of the University Controller’s Office.
2. Keep accurate and current record of all financial accounts, and submit the records
to the Student Media Adviser each month.
3. Check in at least once each semester with each on-campus department and offcampus client to ensure billing is going smoothly.
4. Check mailbox in the newsroom and Office of Student Activities on a regular
basis and deposit checks in a timely manner.
5. Communicate at least once a week with the Advertising Manager to make certain
all ads published that week are billed to the appropriate address and/or on-campus
department billing number.
6. Communicate regularly with The Beacon Online Coordinator to manage the
billing of any online advertising.
7. Distribute the newspaper to approved campus distribution points on Thursday
mornings.
8. Keep current list of subscribers and recipients of courtesy copies of The Beacon
and mail the publication to all in a timely manner.
9. Manage billing and deposits of subscription payments.

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 10. Perform cost analyses for The Beacon upon request, and assist in developing
business plans to help increase revenue.
11. Supply an end-of-semester report of revenue/expenditures related to advertising
and subscriptions to the Student Media Adviser.
12. Manage miscellaneous correspondence.

KDUP
I. PURPOSES
1) to involve the campus community by providing information, news, opinion
and entertainment;
2) to build community by establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free
and responsible discussion;
3) to provide a wide variety of music and to connect students to the greater
college music scene;
4) to serve as an educational laboratory for students to learn the ethics and skills
of broadcast and Web journalism within the context of a Catholic community.
II. STATION RESPONSIBILITY AND FREEDOM
KDUP is owned and operated by the University of Portland. The University, in
delegating broadcast responsibility to student managers, provides both freedom and the
ongoing financial support necessary for KDUP to maintain its integrity of purpose.
The broadcast freedom of student managers is governed by our University’s
Catholic identity and the tenets of responsible journalism, such as the avoidance of
slander, libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, harassment, innuendo and attacks on
personal integrity.
Any material proposed for broadcasting on KDUP that contains controversial
subject matter as determined by University guidelines is to be submitted to the Program
Director prior to broadcast of the material. The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
of the Radio-Television News Directors Association shall serve as a guide in operations
and programming for all KDUP staff members, including the General Manager and
deejays. Pertinent guidelines can be found in the Student Media Guide.
Managers will respect and consider the academic and religious traditions of the
University and its community in formulating and promoting the station’s programming
and public service announcement content.
III. ASSESSMENT

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 The managers and the Student Media Adviser will meet to critique programming
on a regular basis throughout the year. Members of the Student Media Committee may
provide ongoing assessment to KDUP staff and may solicit feedback from various
elements of the University community.
IV. SELECTION AND TRAINING OF MANAGERIAL POSITIONS
The Student Media Adviser coordinates the selection process of the General
Manager during the spring semester of the academic year. The Student Media Committee
interviews the candidates and makes recommendation to the President, who appoints the
General Manager for the following academic year.
Management positions will be open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate
students. Preference will be given to candidates with broadcast experience and related
academic preparation.
A General Manager designee, without experience in broadcast journalism and
academic training in communications law, may be required to take those courses (or
appropriate directed studies) the summer prior to assuming the position. The General
Manager must have been a full-time student at the University for one full academic year
before assuming his or her position. Exceptions must have the approval of the Student
Media Committee.
Prior to the start of broadcasting in the fall, all paid staff members are required to
participate in an orientation program coordinated by the General Manager under direction
of the Student Media Adviser.
Prior to broadcasting, all staff and deejays must sign a statement acknowledging
that they are aware of station rules and guidelines. Station rules and guidelines are
outlined later in this guide. Consult “KDUP DJ Manual.”
V. OVERSIGHT
Because the Student Media Committee is responsible for recommending the
hiring of the General Manager to the President, it also will have the authority to
recommend dismissal to the President. If dismissal or review for gross negligence is
considered, the Student Media Committee or its subcommittee will hold a hearing, review
the matter, and make a recommendation to the President. No General Manager will be
dismissed without benefit of due process as described above. In the event of an untimely
vacancy of the General Manager, the Student Media Adviser will work with the Student
Media Committee to recommend a new candidate to the President.
Under normal circumstances, KDUP staff will accept public complaints
concerning their broadcasts. When appropriate, the General Manager may respond to the
complaint in writing and on air. In the event that a complaint is not resolved satisfactorily,
it is referred to the Student Media Adviser. If the matter is not resolved, it may be
forwarded to the Student Media Committee for review. After careful deliberation, the
Student Media Committee will make a recommendation to the President of the
University.
Guidelines for overseeing the performance of managers are contained in
“Personnel Guidelines for Student Media” in the Student Media Guide.

17

 KDUP JOB DESCRIPTIONS
KDUP General Manager Job Description
The KDUP General Manager shall:
A. Be responsible for all on-air material and discussion
B. Uphold all rules and regulations of the FCC and of the University of Portland as
they relate to station operation, and assist the Student Media Adviser in
implementing policies and directives.
C. Represent the station in community relations.
D. Represent the station as a non-voting member to the Student Media Committee. At
each meeting of the SMC, the General Manager will present a one page summary of
accomplishments, challenges and feedback related to the station’s standing to date.
E. Make the final decisions in all station matters in consultation with the Student
Media Adviser.
F. Exercise overall responsibility for supervising station staff. Exercise leadership in
establishing and maintaining a professional managerial relationship with all
members of the staff. Provide leadership in assuring an optimum learning
experience for all members of the staff leading to the enhancement of their
broadcast and interpersonal communication skills.
G. Hold one regular air shift each semester: two hours, one day a week.
H. Follow the “Personnel Guidelines for Student Media” in the Student Media Guide.
I. Initiate and forward to the Student Media Adviser all requests for station
requisitions and purchases.
J. Maintain an effective working relationship with the Student Media Adviser in his or
her role as a resource person and as a representative of the University. To
accomplish this, the General Manager will initiate weekly conferences with the
Student Media Adviser.
K. Write a concluding report/evaluation of the year.
L. Serve as the lead on all station budgetary matters in coordination with the Student
Media Adviser.
M. Set an agenda for and hold weekly all staff meetings. The meeting agenda shall be
distributed one day in advance of the all-staff meeting.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Program Director
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Assists in the overall management of the staff and helps the General Manager ensure
smooth operation and programming policy at KDUP.
Assumes the duties of the GM in his or her absence.

18

 Assists in selecting and implementing the stations’ music format.
Auditions, selects and evaluates all deejays.
Creates a written schedule of deejay shows and recruits new deejays to fill open slots.
Publishes the KDUP play list weekly; maintains regular contact with music company
representatives.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with KDUP staff members and strives for
coordinated efforts.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the GM and
Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Promotions Director
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Publicizes the availability of on-air deejay positions at KDUP in conjunction with the
Program Director.
Promotes the station on campus. Coordinates all advertising and promotional activities
such as Pump Up KDUP Day, sponsors, acquiring concert tickets from promoters and
deejay promotions at on-campus events such as dances.
Coordinates the publication and distribution of all printed and other promotional
materials including flyers and Pipeline announcements, newspaper ads, the station guide,
t-shirts, Frisbees, etc.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with KDUP staff members and strives for
coordinated efforts.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the GM and
Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Music Director
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Assists the Program Director in choosing music and screening music.

19

 Assists in selecting and implementing the stations’ music format.
Maintains contact with record label representatives.
Responds to deejay and listener requests for specific music.
With the Program Director, helps publish the KDUP play list weekly.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with KDUP staff members and strives for
coordinated efforts.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the GM and
Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Assistant Music Director
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Assists the Music Director in choosing music, screening music, and cataloging music.
Maintains contact with record label representatives.
Keeps the music library organized and up to date.
Responds to deejay and listener requests for specific music. Also contacts record labels
for new music.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with KDUP staff members and strives for
coordinated efforts.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the GM and
Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
News and Public Service Director
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Directs and coordinates all news-gathering activities, such as the recording of student
government election debates or lectures on campus.
Conducts recorded interviews “in the field” to be played on KDUP.
Oversees, records, produces and coordinates the scheduling of public service
announcements to be played at regular intervals in KDUP’s schedule.

20

 In August, introduces himself/herself to all campus departments and distributes written
contact info and procedures on recording a free public service announcement.
Produces at least one hour-long news program each week.
Recruits deejays to produce news-talk shows, debate shows, and interview programs.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with KDUP staff members and strives for
coordinated efforts.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the GM and
Media Adviser.
NEWS REPORTER:
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Assists the News and Public Service Director with duties recording events on campus.
Produces approximately one news or feature segment per week using high journalistic
standards of accuracy, balance, and fairness. News or feature stories can originate from
on or off-campus events or issues. Segments will be produced electronically and played
in the rotation on-air throughout the academic year, and may be replayed at any time.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with KDUP staff members and strives for
coordinated efforts.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the GM and
Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
On-Call Web Engineer
Is responsible, along with the staff, for setting goals for the radio station.
Ensures high-quality web operations; maintains and troubleshoots the computer systems
running KDUP’s web-streaming music.
Updates KDUP’s web site regularly.
Regularly monitors the station’s AM signal strength and quality. Notifies GM and Media
Adviser of any problems.

21

 THE LOG
I. PURPOSES
1) to assure a historical record that accurately and fairly reflects in print, photos and
graphics the entire academic year at the University;
2) to serve as a keepsake and reminder for students and members of the University
community of their time at the University;
3) to serve as an educational laboratory for students to learn the ethics and skills of
publication within the context of a Catholic community.
II. EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FREEDOM
The Log is owned and published by the University of Portland. The University, in
delegating editorial responsibility to student editors, provides both editorial freedom and
the ongoing financial support necessary for The Log to maintain its integrity of purpose.
The editorial freedom of student editors is governed by our University Catholic
identity and the tenets of responsible journalism, such as the avoidance of libel,
indecency, undocumented allegations, harassment, innuendo and attacks on personal
integrity.
“The Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists” found in the
Student Media Guide will guide The Log staff.
Editors will respect and consider the academic and religious traditions of the
University and its community in balancing the coverage of campus life in the yearbook.
III. ASSESSMENT
The editors and the Student Media Adviser will meet regularly to discuss progress
on the book’s development. The Student Media Adviser will read and approve each page
prior to publication.
The Student Media Committee or its subcommittee will meet as needed to offer
advice and counsel.
IV.

SELECTION AND TRAINING OF EDITORIAL POSITIONS

The Student Media Adviser coordinates the selection process of the Editor in Chief of
The Log during spring semester of the academic year. The Student Media Committee
interviews the candidates and makes recommendations to the President, who appoints the
Editor in Chief for the following academic year.
Editorial positions will be open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students.
Preference will be given to candidates with yearbook experience, strong writing and
design skills and academic preparation in journalism.
An Editor in Chief designee without academic training in publication production and
communications law may be required to take those courses (or appropriate directed
studies) the summer prior to assuming the editorship. The Editor in Chief must have

22

 been a full-time student at the University for a full academic year before assuming the
position. Exceptions must have the approval of the Student Media Committee.
All paid staff members are required to participate in an orientation program
coordinated by the editor under the direction of the Student Media Adviser.
V.

OVERSIGHT

Because the Student Media Committee is responsible for recommending the hiring of
the Editor in Chief to the President, it also will have the authority to recommend
dismissal to the President. If dismissal or review for gross negligence is considered, the
Student Media Committee or its subcommittee will hold a hearing, review the matter and
make a recommendation to the President. No Editor in Chief will be dismissed without
benefit of due process as described above. Should, for any reason, an untimely vacancy in
the Editor in Chief position occur, the Student Media Adviser will work with the Student
Media Committee to recommend a new candidate to the President.
Under normal circumstances, The Log staff will accept public complaints concerning
the publication’s content. When appropriate, the Editor in Chief will respond to the
complaint in writing. In the event a complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, it is referred
to the Student Media Adviser. If the matter is not resolved, it may be forwarded to the
Student Media Committee for review. After careful deliberation, the SMC will make a
recommendation to the President of the University.
Guidelines for the Editor in Chief to oversee the performance of other Log staff are
contained in “Personnel Guidelines for Student Media” found in the Student Media
Guide.
The Log JOB DESCRIPTIONS
The Log Editor in Chief Job Description
The Log Editor in Chief Shall:
To add: At each meeting of the SMC, the General Manager will present a one-page
summary of accomplishments, challenges and feedback related to the station’s standing to
date xxxxxxxx
A. Be responsible for all material appearing in the yearbook, and its appearance and
form. He or she shall exercise sound judgment grounded in fairness and accuracy
and the tenets of journalism to assure the yearbook truthfully and fairly reflects
the entire academic year at the University in print, photos and graphics in as
complete a manner as production schedules permit. In so doing, he or she will
call on the Student Media Adviser for counsel and support.
B. Attempt to present a balanced depiction of the University and all elements of the
University community during his or her year of editorship to create a publication
of accurate record, which is an acknowledged goal of the yearbook.
C. Strive to produce a yearbook that is a valid representation of the University
community during one year in its history. The Log is not a publication for

23

 commentary nor a forum for personal opinions of any one part or portion of the
community.
D. Maintain an open mind and an open-door policy toward all elements of the
University community while recognizing that the students are The Log’s largest
constituency. The editor shall personally, or through delegated staff, keep in close
touch with all facets of the University and all constituencies.
E. Establish goals at the beginning of his or her term in conjunction with the
yearbook staff. He or she is expected to coordinate all facets of yearbook
production (including senior portraits and yearbook distribution) and to meet all
deadlines with the publishing company.
With regard to personnel issues, the Editor in Chief shall:
A. Set occasional compensation for adjunct/supplementary staff after consultation
with, and subject to the approval of, the Student Media Adviser.
B. Foster an amicable working relationship with student services staff and with the
communications faculty and students.
C. Establish close and productive working relationships with campus services, the
contract printer and other agencies providing production assistance and services.
This can be done through judicious delegation of responsibilities to staff members
and continuing supervision.
D. Represent The Log as a non-voting member of the Student Media Committee.
Meet with the SMC or its subcommittee for evaluation of the previous yearbook
and consult during planning for the current year’s publication.
E. Maintain an effective working relationship with the Student Media Adviser in his
or her role as a resource person and as a representative of the University. The
will initiate weekly conferences with the Student Media Adviser.
F. Work productively with the incoming editor during the weeks following that
person’s selection and appointment in order to fully acclimate him or her to the
responsibilities of the position.
G. Follow the “Personnel Guidelines for Student Media.”
The Log General Staff Positions
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Assistant Editor
Is responsible, along with the Editor and staff, for setting goals and establishing a theme
for the yearbook.
Assists in the overall management of the staff and helps the editor ensure complete
coverage of the year’s events in the Log.

24

 Oversees distribution of the yearbook in early September. Arranges for distribution tables
and manages the staffing of such tables at campus events (movies, concerts) and in The
Commons. Tracks who has/has not picked up their yearbook. Makes arrangements for
and monitors yearbook distribution at the Info Desk in the Pilot House. Distributes
embossed copies to high-level administrators.
Is responsible for helping to manage, in consultation with the editor and Design Editors,
the overall design of The Log yearbook.
Attends yearbook training sessions when possible.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with yearbook staff members and strives
for coordinated efforts.
Assists the editor in reading and editing copy from the copy writers.
Writes photo captions.
Solicits photo submissions by campus individuals and groups through marketing efforts
in residence halls and other areas on campus.
Performs an overall edit during pre-submission deadline weeks (about five times per
year).
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor
and Student Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Photographer
Is responsible for taking high-quality photos as assigned by Log editors and copy writers
(digital and film) for all sections of The Log. Re-takes photos when asked by editors to
do so.
Supplies correctly-spelled names and a description of the action for each photo submitted
(both digital and film) to the Assistant Design Editor and Assistant Editor.
Reserves his/her university-owned digital camera for Log use only and keeps the camera
locked in the Log office when not in use (see Camera Release agreement).
Develops film and keeps organized photo files (negatives in hanging files and digital
photos in computer photo files/folders).
Takes initiative to snap photos for The Log that are not specifically assigned.

25

 Keeps tabs on supply levels and manages the purchasing of digital photo accessories,
regular film, and film developing chemicals with approval of the Media Adviser
Maintains a good working relationship with the Photo Lab manager in Buckley Center.
Supplies processed negatives to the editors and Design Editors in a timely manner, and
files digital photos from his/her camera into organized computer folders/files in a timely
manner.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor and
Student Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Copy Writer
Covers on-campus events for the yearbook as assigned by the editor and Assistant Editor.
Writes copy using material gathered at the event and through interviews with participants.
Communicates with photographer assigned to the same event to coordinate coverage.
Works with the editor and staff to set goals and establish a yearbook theme.
Follows a standard style for his/her writing as determined by the editor.
In a timely manner, makes edits or completes rewrites to his/her copy after the editor
and/or Assistant Editor has made editing marks and suggestions.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor and
Student Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Design Editor
Is responsible, along with the editor and staff, for setting goals and establishing a theme
for the yearbook.
Is responsible for the design and layout of all sections of The Log yearbook.
Is responsible for designing all templates for the yearbook, such as page numbers, and
managing the overall “look” of the Log throughout the production process. This should
be done in consultation with the editor, Assistant Editor, and Assistant Design Editor.
Attends yearbook design training sessions when possible.
Establishes cooperative working relationships with yearbook staff members and strives
for coordinated efforts.

26

 Directs efforts of the Assistant Design Editor. Works with him/her to select the best
photos for the yearbook.
Checks for design consistency during pre-submission deadline weeks (about five times
per year).
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor
and Student Media Adviser.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Assistant Design Editor
Scans photo negatives from staff photographers. Manages and organizes photo files,
including hanging file folders of already-scanned negatives and electronic photo files in
the computer.
In consultation with the Design Editor, uses PhotoShop to enhance the quality of photos
that will be used in the yearbook.
Designs a limited number of pages under the direction of the Design Editor and assists
him/her as necessary.
Attends all weekly meetings. Absences must be cleared in advance through the editor and
Student Media Adviser.
PERSONNEL GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT MEDIA
NOTE: For the purpose of these guidelines, “editor” refers to the Editors in Chief of The
Beacon and The Log and the KDUP General Manager. “Staff member” refers to all
salaried staff, e.g., section editors, directors, managers, reporters, photographers, etc.
I.

Job Description
A. A job description for each staff member is listed in the Student Media Guide, and
shall be discussed by the editor with prospective employees prior to hiring,
preferably in the presence of the Student Media Adviser.
B. At the discretion of the Student Media Adviser, and in consultation with the
editor, job descriptions may be altered temporarily to adjust to the needs of the
organization. Such changes shall not constitute a precedent for future staff
members holding the position. Any changes to a written job description will be
provided by the editor to the staff member and Student Media Adviser in writing.

II.

Staff Evaluations

27

 A. The editor shall make a mid-year written evaluation (and if necessary more regular
evaluations) of the job performances of staff members she or he has appointed, with
copies to the individual staffer and to the Student Media Adviser.
B. The editor will set up individual conferences with individual staff members to
explain these evaluations. The frequency of these evaluations is to be determined
by the editor, in consultation with the Student Media Adviser. It is recommended
that such conferences include the Student Media Adviser.
III.

Disciplinary Procedures

A. Warning: If a staff member’s job performance is judged to be inappropriate or
unacceptable, the editor will call a meeting with the staff member, which the
Student Media Adviser also shall attend. In an attempt to resolve the problem, a
verbal warning will be issued by the editor.
B. Probation: If a staff member’s job performance continues to be inappropriate or
unacceptable, the editor may recommend probation by written memo to the Student
Media Adviser, with a copy to the individual staff member. At this time, the Student
Media Adviser shall confer jointly with the editor and staff member. At the Student
Media Adviser’s discretion, probation may be given. If issued, probation would be
outlined in writing, for a stated length of time, and would detail corrective action
steps for the staff member to follow.
C. Termination: If the staff member does not complete the terms of the probation, the
Student Media Adviser would issue a formal notice of termination to the staff
member, citing cause, with a copy to the student editor and Director of Student
Activities.
D. Automatic Termination: If a staff member commits an act that is determined by the
Student Media Adviser or Director of Student Activities to be so egregious that it
warrants automatic termination, written notification, citing cause, will be issued to
the staff member with a copy to the student editor.
IV.

Right of Appeal

A. Appeal of termination may be made in writing to the Student Media Committee
within five business days.
B. On receipt of the written appeal, the chair of the Student Media Committee will
review the matter and issue a recommendation to the President.
PROFESSIONAL CODES OF ETHICS
THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS CODE OF ETHICS
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public
enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of
the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and

28

 comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media
and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional
integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a
dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and
standards of practice.
Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and
interpreting information. Journalists should:
1. Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid
inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
2. Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to
respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
3. Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information
as possible on sources' reliability.
4. Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions
attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
5. Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video,
audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not
oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
6. Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for
technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
7. Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is
necessary to tell a story, label it.
8. Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except
when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use
of such methods should be explained as part of the story.
9. Never plagiarize.
10. Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even
when it is unpopular to do so.
11. Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
12. Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual
orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
13. Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
14. Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be
equally valid.
15. Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary
should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
16. Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between
the two.
17. Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in
the open and that government records are open to inspection.

29

 Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings
deserving of respect. Journalists should:
1. Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage.
Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or
subjects.
2. Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by
tragedy or grief.
3. Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or
discomfort.
4. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
5. Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about
themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or
attention.
6. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
7. Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity
8. Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
9. Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
10. Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.

Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right
to know. Journalists should:
1. Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
2. Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or
damage credibility.
3. Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary
employment, political involvement, public office and service in community
organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
4. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
5. Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
6. Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their
pressure to influence news coverage.
7. Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for
news.
Be Accountable

30

 Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
1. Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over
journalistic conduct.
2. Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
3. Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
4. Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
5. Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of
writers, editors and other news professionals. The present version of
the code was adopted by the 1996 SPJ National Convention, after months
of study and debate among the Society's members.

THE RADIO-TELEVISION NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CODE OF
ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Professional electronic journalists should operate as trustees of the public, seek
the truth, report it fairly and with integrity and independence, and stand accountable for
their actions.
Public Trust
Professional electronic journalists should recognize that their first obligation is to
the public. Professional electronic journalists should:
1. Understand that any commitment other than service to the public undermines trust
and credibility.
2. Recognize that service in the public interest creates an obligation to reflect the
diversity of the community and guard against oversimplification of issues or
events.
3. Provide a full range of information to enable the public to make enlightened
decisions.
4. Fight to ensure that the public's business is conducted in public.
Truth
Professional electronic journalists should pursue truth aggressively and present
the news accurately, in context, and as completely as possible. Professional electronic
journalists should:

31

 1. Continuously seek the truth.
2. Resist distortions that obscure the importance of events.
3. Clearly disclose the origin of information and label all material provided by
outsiders.
Professional electronic journalists should not:
1. Report anything known to be false.
2. Manipulate images or sounds in any way that is misleading.
3. Plagiarize.
4. Present images or sounds that are reenacted without informing the public.
Fairness
Professional electronic journalists should present the news fairly and impartially,
placing primary value on significance and relevance. Professional electronic journalists
should:
1. Treat all subjects of news coverage with respect and dignity, showing particular
compassion to victims of crime or tragedy.
2. Exercise special care when children are involved in a story and give children
greater privacy protection than adults.
3. Seek to understand the diversity of their community and inform the public without
bias or stereotype.
4. Present a diversity of expressions, opinions, and ideas in context.
5. Present analytical reporting based on professional perspective, not personal bias.
6. Respect the right to a fair trial.
Integrity
Professional electronic journalists should present the news with integrity and
decency, avoiding real or perceived conflicts of interest, and respect the dignity and
intelligence of the audience as well as the subjects of news. Professional electronic
journalists should:
1. Identify sources whenever possible. Confidential sources should be used only
when it is clearly in the public interest to gather or convey important information
or when a person providing information might be harmed. Journalists should keep
all commitments to protect a confidential source.

32

 2. Clearly label opinion and commentary.
3. Guard against extended coverage of events or individuals that fails to significantly
advance a story, place the event in context, or add to the public knowledge.
4. Refrain from contacting participants in violent situations while the situation is in
progress.
5. Use technological tools with skill and thoughtfulness, avoiding techniques that
skew facts, distort reality or sensationalize events.
6. Use surreptitious newsgathering techniques, including hidden cameras or
microphones, only if there is no other way to obtain stories of significant public
importance and only if the technique is explained to the audience.
7. Disseminate the private transmissions of other news organizations only with
permission.
Professional electronic journalists should not:
1. Pay news sources who have a vested interest in a story.
2. Accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence
coverage.
3. Engage in activities that may compromise their integrity or independence.
Independence
Professional electronic journalists should defend the independence of all
journalists from those seeking influence or control over news content. Professional
electronic journalists should:
1. Gather and report news without fear or favor, and vigorously resist undue
influence from any outside forces, including advertisers, sources, story subjects,
powerful individuals, and special interest groups.
2. Resist those who would seek to buy or politically influence news content or who
would seek to intimidate those who gather and disseminate the news.
3. Determine news content solely through editorial judgment and not as the result of
outside influence.
4. Resist any self-interest or peer pressure that might erode journalistic duty and
service to the public.
5. Recognize that sponsorship of the news will not be used in any way to determine,
restrict or manipulate content.

33

 6. Refuse to allow the interests of ownership or management to influence news
judgment and content inappropriately.
7. Defend the rights of the free press for all journalists, recognizing that any
professional or government licensing of journalists is a violation of that freedom.
Accountability
Professional electronic journalists should recognize that they are accountable for
their actions to the public, the profession, and themselves. Professional electronic
journalists should:
1. Actively encourage adherence to these standards by all journalists and their
employers.
2. Respond to public concerns. Investigate complaints and correct errors promptly
and with as much prominence as the original report.
3. Explain journalistic processes to the public, especially when practices spark
questions or controversy.
4. Recognize that professional electronic journalists are duty-bound to conduct
themselves ethically.
5. Refrain from ordering or encouraging courses of action that would force
employees to commit an unethical act.
6. Carefully listen to employees who raise ethical objections and create
environments in which such objections and discussions are encouraged
7. Seek support for and provide opportunities to train employees in ethical decisionmaking.
In meeting its responsibility to the profession of electronic journalism, RTNDA has
created this code to identify important issues, to serve as a guide for its members, to
facilitate self-scrutiny, and to shape future debate.
Adopted at RTNDA2000 in Minneapolis September 14, 2000.
COLLEGE MEDIA ADVISERS CODE OF ETHICS
Those who advise college and university student media have an obligation to
demonstrate, by their example and teaching, the highest ethical and professional
standards possible to those they advise.
The adviser serves as:

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 A professional journalist who has the skills and education required to teach all
aspects of that particular medium;
a professional educator who should explain and demonstrate, commend and
critique, and urge students to understand their roles and responsibilities as journalists
learning and applying their craft; and
a professional manager who can provide sound fiscal and technological guidance
to the staff as it conducts its business and journalistic operations.
The adviser’s personal code includes:
A dedication to the goal for media to be accurate, fair, factual, unbiased and
honest;
a deep conviction that the adviser’s role, by law, is to guide and advise, but not to
censor or prohibit;
an unyielding commitment to defend and uphold the student’s constitutional rights
under the First Amendment related to a full and vigorous freedom of expression without
fear of prior restraint;
the integrity to reject any situation or instance which might be construed as a
conflict of interest to advising duties or which might violate any of the high ideals of the
journalism profession;
a determination to uphold the truth in dealing with students, colleagues,
administrators, suppliers and the public;
a commitment to encourage in staff members the goal to be as professional as
possible through accurate reporting, thorough coverage, editorial opinion labeled as such
and based upon verified fact, and a recognition of the public’s right to know the truth;
and an open door for consultation and advice.
The adviser teaches by example, by having a strong personal code of ethical values, by
possessing journalistic skills and professional experience in the area to be advised and by
being an understanding counselor who encourages high journalistic ideals in student
staffs.
CODE OF ADVERTISING ACCEPTABILITY
The courts have upheld the theory that a newspaper does not have to accept any
advertising that is offered to it.
To protect the interests of readers, listeners and advertisers, the University of
Portland Student Media Committee adopted a code of advertising acceptability standards
during the 1990-91 academic year that applies to all media under its jurisdiction. These
standards serve to protect the reader and listener from the potentially harmful effects of
misleading, inaccurate, fraudulent, doubtful or ambiguous representation, and dishonest
or unfair competitive statements. These standards also serve to prevent the effects of
questionable advertising from destroying reader and listener confidence in the media and
in the good advertising that it carries.

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 The general standards that govern the acceptability of advertising by the Student
Media Committee are outlined below. Public Service Announcements for KDUP are to be
screened according to the same standards. With the 1961 production of The Log, the
solicitation of advertising for future yearbooks was discontinued as matter of policy.
1. The SMC does not accept advertising that, in its judgment, contains attacks of a
personal, sexist, racial or religious nature, or that reflects unfavorably on competitive
organizations, institutions or merchandise. No advertising will be accepted that
subjugates either sex to an inferior role.
2. The SMC does not accept any advertising that appears to contradict the institution’s
values and any advertising with subject matter that violates the standards of the
University community. This includes such advertising that would promote abortion,
artificial contraception, X-rated movies, academic dishonesty, or illegal activities or
products such as alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia.
3. The SMC does not accept any advertising submitted in the expectation of receiving
publicity in news or feature columns.
4. The SMC does not accept advertising that, in its judgment, might destroy the
confidence of readers or advertisers. This includes advertising that is misleading or
deceptive, or that grossly exaggerates or makes unwarranted claims.
5. The SMC does not accept advertising that evades or attempts to encourage the evasion
or violation of any law, regulation or ordinance -- municipal, state or federal.
6. The SMC does not accept advertising that resembles news matter. If a type resembling
standard body type is used, a border will be placed around the ad and the word
“Advertisement” will be clearly defined at the top of the ad. Headlines shall not be a
standard news headline type.
7. All ads that are written in a foreign language shall have at least an abbreviated
translation of its contents in English to accompany the ad.
8. If telephone numbers are printed in the newspaper, written permission must be granted
by the person who will be receiving the phone calls.
The ultimate authority in determining whether or not an advertisement or series of
advertisements is acceptable resides with the publisher. This authority is delegated to the
Student Media Adviser and through him or her to the Beacon Advertising Manager. At
the discretion of the Advertising Manager or News Director, questionable advertising will
be submitted prior to the publication/broadcast to the adviser. The adviser’s ruling is
final unless an appeal made to the SMC is granted. If the advertiser or interested group
insists that the advertisement or type of advertising in question be submitted to the
Student Media Committee for its consideration, then all appeals shall be considered by

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 the Student Media Committee within seven working days after the appeal is made. A
decision of the Student Media Committee may be appealed to the President.
MODEL CODE OF ETHICS FOR STUDENT JOURNALISTS
© Associated Collegiate Press

1. Free travel: To remain as free of influence or obligation to report a story, the
journalist should not accept free travel, accommodations or meals related to
travel. For convenience, sports reporters may travel on team charters, but the
publication should pay the cost of the transportation and related expenses. The
same pay-as-you-go policy should apply to non-sports reporting as well, including
businesses and governments. Free travel and accommodations which are noncoverage related and which may be provided by the vendor may be accepted if the
primary purpose is for education or training of an agreement or contract.
2. Gifts: Gifts should not be accepted. Any gifts should be returned to the sender or
sent to a charity. If the gift is of no significant value, such as a desk trinket, small
food item or pen, the staff member may retain the gift.
3. Free tickets, passes, discounts: If money is available, staffers assigned to cover a
sporting event, lecture, play, concert, movie or other entertainment event should
pay for admission. Free tickets or passes may be accepted by staff members
assigned to cover an event or by those attending for legitimate news purposes.
Press facilities at these events may only be used by staff members who are
assigned to cover the event. Free tickets or passes may be accepted by staff
members for personal use only if the tickets are available on the same
complimentary basis to non-journalists.
4. Ownership of books, records, other products given for review: Any materials
given to the publication for review become the property of the publication and not
of any individual staff member.
5. Other employment: Other employment must not conflict with the staffers first
responsibilities to the publication. The staffer must report any other employment
to the editor to avoid any conflicts of interest with the assignments or other staff
editorial or business responsibilities or influences.
6. Other campus media work: To avoid a conflict of interest, a staffer may not
hold two or more similar positions on two or more campus news, public
information or public relations mediums or organizations.
7. Other off-campus or freelance media work: Any free-lance work or work for an
off-campus medium by a Student Media staffer requires prior approval of the
Student Media Adviser. Permission may only be granted when the off-campus or
free-lance work does not compete with Student Media work, when it is performed

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 on a staffer’s own time and when it does not conflict in any way with the staff
member’s obligation to the University publication.
8. Membership in campus organizations: A Student Media staff person may not
report on a campus organization of which he or she is a member or participate in
any editorial or business decision involving the organization. Staffers may provide
news leads to other staff members about the organizations to which they belong.
Staffers should disclose their memberships to their supervising editor. Toward the
goal of maintaining an independent press, a Student Media staff member should
not be an elected or appointed member of student government.
9. Outside activities, including political: Political involvement, holding public
office off-campus and service in community organizations should be considered
carefully to avoid comprising personal integrity and that of the publication. The
notion of the journalist as an independent observer and fact-finder is important to
preserve. A staffer involved in specific political activity should not be assigned to
cover any developments related to the activity or efforts by the respective
group(s). Staffers should conduct their personal lives in a manner which will not
lead to conflicts of interest.
10. Relationships and coverage: Staffers must declare conflicts and avoid
involvement in stories dealing with members of their families. Staff members
must not cover -- in words, photographs or artwork -- or make news decisions
involving family members or persons with whom they have financial, adversarial
or close relationships.
11. Use of alcoholic beverages while on assignment: To avoid suspicion that a
staffer’s judgment, credibility or objectivity could be impaired by alcohol, a
staffer (of legal age) should not drink – or should only drink lightly -- while on
assignment during a social setting, such as at a dinner or reception. When
covering an event where alcohol is served, staffers should not accept free drinks.
Staffers should avoid the appearance that they are being “wined and dined” by
any source or agency.
12. Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment is defined (verbally) as suggestive
comments, innuendo, threats, insults, jokes about sex-specific traits, and sexual
propositions; (non-verbally) as vulgar gestures, whistling, leering, suggestive or
insulting noises; (physically) as touching, pinching, brushing the body, coercing
sexual intercourse, or assault. This conduct can be called job-related harassment
when submission is made implicitly or explicitly a condition of employment, a
condition of work-related assignments, a condition for compensation and/or other
factors, and if such conduct interferes with the staffer’s performance or creates a
hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment. Sexual harassment is
prohibited. A staff should establish a procedure to report any harassment claim.
That procedure should include two alternate methods of reporting; information on
how the claim will be investigated; and what will be done to correct the situation

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 if real harassment is found to have occurred. A staff meeting that includes a
discussion of sexual harassment and working conditions is recommended at the
start of each publishing term.
13. Plagiarism of words, art, other: Plagiarism is prohibited and is illegal if the
material is copyright protected. For the purposes of this code, plagiarism is
defined as the word-for-word duplication of another person’s writing and shall be
limited to passages that contain distinctively personal thoughts, uniquely stylized
phraseology or exclusive facts. A comparable prohibition applies to the use of
graphics. Information obtained from a published work must be independently
verified before it can be reported as a new, original story. This policy also forbids
lifting verbatim paragraphs from a wire service without attribution or a notation
that wire stories were used to compile the story.
14. Fabrication of any kind: The use of composite character or imaginary situations
or characters will not be allowed in news or feature stories. A columnist may,
occasionally, use such an approach in developing a piece, but it must be clear to
the reader that the person or situation is fictional.
15. Electronically altered photos: Electronically altering the content of photos for
news and general feature stories or as stand-alone news and feature photos is not
allowed. Content may be altered as a special effect for a limited number of
features if the caption or credit line includes that fact and if an average reader
would not mistake the photo for reality. Readers expect photos and stories to be
truthful.
16. Photo illustration: Set-ups or posed scenes may be used if the average reader
will not be misled or if the caption or credit line tells readers that the visual is a
photo illustration.
17. Use of photographs of victims of accidents, fires, natural disasters: Photos
have a tremendous impact on readers. The question of privacy versus the public’s
right to know should be considered. The line between good and bad taste and
reality and sensationalism is not always easy to draw. Care should be taken to
maintain as much as possible the dignity of the subject of a photograph without
hindering the truth of the event.
18. Reporting names, addresses of crime victims: Staffers need to know the state
laws governing the publication of information that will identify rape and sexual
assault victims. Generally, the names of rape victims are not published; however
there is a trend to ask rape victims to go public. This disclosure may be
negotiated between the victim and the publication. Victims of non-sexual crimes
may be identified, but the publication has a responsibility to give some protection
to the victim such as giving imprecise addresses. With the exception of major
crimes, an arrested person is not named until charges are filed.

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 19. Cooperation with law enforcement, government, college administration: To
maintain its watchdog role, a publication must remain independent. The
publication should not take over any of the duties of any outside agency and
cooperation or involvement in the work of such agencies should be restricted to
what is required by law. Staffers should know any freedom of information, open
meetings and shield laws that apply to their work. If a staffer thinks a public
authority is interfering with the staffer’s ability to function as a journalist, the
incident should be reported to the editor.
20. Scrutiny of a public person’s life: Conflicts exist between a person’s desire for
privacy and the public good and/or the public’s right to know about the lives of
public persons. Persons who freely choose to enter public life as a celebrity or
servant should expect a greater level of scrutiny of their lives than private persons
-- even private persons who find themselves suddenly involved in public
situations. Staffers should make judgments based on the real news value of a
situation, common sense and decency. Reporters and photographers should not
badger a person who has made it clear that he or she does not want to be
interviewed or photographed. One exception is persons who are involved in
criminal activity or in court. Publishing intimate details, such as a person’s health
or sexual activities, should be done with extreme care and only if the facts are
necessary to tell the story and are significant in terms of the public having a
meaningful right to know.
21. Profane, vulgar words, explicit sexual language: The primary audience of a
college publication is adults. Although they are not generally used for scholarly
writing, profane and vulgar words are a part of everyday conversation and during
the interview stage of news gathering, staffers may encounter subjects whose
language fits that description. The staff may publish these words if the words are
important to the situation – the reality of life – or if the words help establish the
character of the interviewee. The staff also may decide to limit such references to
prevent the offending language from overshadowing the other, more important
facts of the story. Profane and vulgar words are not acceptable for opinion
writing. Though they may be vulgar or profane, individual words are not
obscene. When writing about health issues, and to a limited extent, when writing
about sex crimes, explicit references that are necessary to accurately describe
sexual activity and human body parts and functions should be used, provided the
language is not vulgar or that which is considered street slang.
22. Sexist language: Staffers will avoid sexist labels and language, using neutral
terms and descriptions instead.
23. Negative stereotyping: Staffers will take care in writing to avoid applying
stereotypes to individuals who are members of a particular group.
Generalizations based upon stereotypes can be misleading and inaccurate. In a
broader sense, writers and photographers should avoid more subtle stereotyping in
their selection of persons they interview and photograph. Some examples of

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 negative stereotypes: unmarried, black, teenage, welfare mothers; unemployed,
alcohol-abusing Native Americans; overweight, long-haired, white, biker outlaws;
limp-wristed, effeminate gays; inarticulate, dumb, blonde women.
24. Use of racial ethnic other group identifiers: Identification of a person as a
member of any population group should be limited to those cases when that
membership is essential for the reader’s complete understanding of the story; the
identification should be made with great care so not to perpetuate negative group
stereotyping. When identifiers are used, correct terms should be employed. Some
examples: Hispanic, Jew, lesbian, Italian, person with AIDS (PWA), physically
challenged, hearing impaired.
25. False identity, stolen documents, concealed recording, eavesdropping: In the
normal course of reporting, staffers shall not represent themselves as anything
other than representatives of the publication. In extraordinary circumstances,
when an editor judges that the information cannot be obtained through any other
means and the value of that information to the readers is crucial, the editor may
authorize a misrepresentation. Staffers may not steal or knowingly receive stolen
materials. Except in situations the editor deems as extraordinary, a staffer shall
not record without the interviewee’s permission or the obvious placement of a
recording device (not hidden) at the start of the interview or meeting in which the
interviewee or newsmakers do not object and are aware of the presence of the
recording device. Committing an illegal act to eavesdrop on a source is not
allowed. State laws on the use of recording devices should be consulted.
26. Granting and preserving confidentiality to sources: A reporter should not
promise confidentially to a source without the permission of the editor.
Confidentiality should only be given if there is a real chance that physical,
emotional or financial harm will come to the source if his or her name were
revealed. The editor should have all of the facts and the source’s name before the
decision is made. The editor should know of any laws pertaining to
confidentiality and disclosure before a decision is made. A reporter should make
every attempt to get the same information from another source who agrees to be
named since the goal is to attribute all information to a specific source for all
stories.
27. Anonymous sources: Generally, anonymous sources are not used in stories.
Information that comes from an unnamed or unknown source should not be used
unless it can be verified through another, known source. If two independent
sources verify the information and both are unnamed, an editor may decide to
publish the information with careful consideration of the need for immediacy and
the news value of the information. The source may be identified generally as
associated with an agency to give some degree of credibility to the information.
(See confidentiality.) The danger exists that the reader may not believe the
information if sources are not given; the publication’s credibility may suffer;

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 information obtained later from a named source and verified may disprove the
information given by the unnamed or unknown sources.
28. Corrections: An inaccuracy is never knowingly published. If any error is found,
the publication is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of
the source of the error. A consistent location should be established for corrections.
Corrections should be clearly and prominently labeled. A magazine or yearbook
published semi- or annually may want to publish a correction in a more frequently
published medium, such as the student newspaper. Clarifications similarly should
be labeled and published.
29. Ownership of work: Whether a staff is paid or a volunteer, the publication
“owns” the published and unpublished work performed by staffers if the work
was done as a staff assignment. Ownership of unpublished work may revert to the
staffer at a certain time if the editor agrees with this arrangement. The publication
has unlimited use of the work. The act of voluntarily joining a staff indicates
approval of this policy.
30. Contests, honors: The publication has a proprietary interest in the material it
publishes. Thus, as a voting group, top editors determine which entries will be
selected to represent the publication in contests. This will avoid the appearance of
a conflict of interest that may occur if staffers were to win or accept awards from
organizations they are assigned to cover. Awards presented to the staff as a whole
or to the publication generally become the property of the publication.
Individuals who are awarded for their published work may personally accept the
award and retain ownership of it.
31. Five Important Questions for a Reporter: 1.Why am I reporting the story? 2.
Is the story fair? 3. Have I attempted to report all angles? 4. Who will the story
affect? 5. Can I defend my decision to report the story?
POLICIES ON ACADEMIC STANDARDS
FOR STUDENTS IN PAID POSITIONS IN THE STUDENT MEDIA
1. Students applying for paid positions in Student Media should be in good academic
standing at the time of application. Preference will be given to students who have a
cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. The Student Media Adviser should screen
applications and may allow exceptions to this guideline, especially in circumstances
involving illness or family emergency.
2. Any student in a paid Student Media position who is put on academic probation must
meet with the Student Media Adviser. The Student Media Adviser has the option of
requiring the student to resign from the paid position, if the time required to perform job
duties hinders or jeopardizes the student’s academic focus. The Student Media Adviser
will consider extenuating circumstances, such as illness or family emergency.

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 Document adopted by the Board of Regents, May 1991. “Policies on Academic Standards
for Students in Paid Positions in the Student Media” approved by the University of
Portland President, May 16, 1994. Document revised by the Student Media Committee
and approved by the University President, February 2006.
Further editing for style adherence and staffing changes by Student Media Adviser Dee
Anne Finken, December 2008.

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