TKS hearing
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Day=Thursday, May 24, 2007
Time=4-6 PM
Place=McClellan Meeting Room
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On May 24, 2007, the BIP held a hearing for the editors of TKS, in response to Flunk Day Issue 2007. The continued complaints about the against the paper for the Jesus Fucking Christ headline caused a "trial" to be held, discussing what corrective action might be taken. The meeting lasted for two hours, allowing both the plaintiffs and the editors a chance to speak their side.
Procedures
The following procedures were given to the TKS editors when they arrived at the meeting.
Procedure for the Hearing May 24th BIP/TKS
At the Hearing
The chairperson in charge of the case presides at the hearing. It is his or her responsibility to see that proper procedures are followed.
The chairperson shall introduce each person in the room with their title or the members may introduce themselves.
The respondents, complainant, nature of the complaint or charge, and date, issue or volume shall be stated at the beginning of the hearing. (The "respondents" may be one or more persons. The "complainant" may also be one or more persons.)
The first witness is the complainant, who will explain the reasons for bringing the case, the nature of the evidence, and any other information deemed relevant. The complainant may wish to rest on his or her written formal complaint. Other witnesses, if any, in support of the complaint or charge will be heard at this time.
The chairperson will ask the respondents if they have any questions to ask of the complainants. Following, the complainants may ask questions to the respondents and other witnesses. the chairperson presiding at the hearing will determine whether any other witnesses will be allowed to ask questions during the hearing.
When the chairperson determines that both complainants and respondents have had ample opportunity to ask questions of each other, the complainants may choose to leave or may choose to remain for the rest of the testimony.
The Board of Publications voting members will now have a chance to ask questions of the TKS editorial board with the intent of determining which members of the editorial staff were most and least involved in the production of the Flunk Day issue. The Board of Publications will break for deliberations and dismiss those staff members the board determines had little to no involvement in the issue in question. All persons except BIP members will be asked to leave when the Board makes it deliberations.
The Board will then resume deliberations with those staff members most pertinent to the case at hand. The Board of Publications voting members will now have a chance to question the TKS editorial board with the intent of addressing the specific charge of "irresponsible journalism."
After deliberation, the Board will excuse all parties except for voting members. The Board will determine the merit of the complaint or charge and penalty, if any, by acquiring three out of four votes. If such a vote is not obtained, the case is recorded as "no decision" and no penalty is given. Such a case may be reopened, but only if new evidence is immediately pending. In its decision, the Board strives to preserve balance among the principles of consistency with precedent, justice to individuals, and the maintenance of an academic community.
Student Protest
Led by Graham Troyer-Joy, sympathetic students gathered to protest the hearings. Around two dozen people showed up to support TKS in the meeting. They congregated outside the hallway to McClelland, passing out fliers and holding signs reading "Everyone Makes Mistakes" and "Knox Students for The Knox Student". Graham's contribution stated "Please don't fire my roommate." (Tom Fucoloro) Only a select number of students stayed through the entire trial, but many additional people stood outside for short sections of time, in support of the paper.
The Verdict
As of right now, the verdict is unknown. Information will be posted within 24 hours.
