Minutes of Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003

Members Present: Chairman Riley Wilson; Argonaut Advertising director Abigail Bottari; GEM editor Jessi Bacon; Argonaut editor Brian Passey; Argonaut/GEM advisor Brian Beesley; Faculty representative Hans Rosenwinkel; ASUI representative Carrie Joslin; Student Bar Association representative Andrea Schiers; undergraduate representative Kate Heady; undergraduate representative Diana Crabtree.

Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order at approximately 5:05 p.m. Oct. 21, 2003, in the Chiefs Room of the Student Union Building. Wilson began by calling for department reports and then moved on to other media topics.

Argonaut Advertising: Bottari reported that Argonaut Advertising was going well and advertising sales where strong. She mentioned two advertising specials that where approaching; the Winter Recreation Guide and then a special for ads on Tuesdays as it has been slower than the Friday ads. Bottari added that ad sales where higher on Fridays in advance of the weekend football games.

Argonaut: Passey announced that the Argonaut was co-sponsoring a Moscow City Council candidates forum with the ASUI Civic Engagement Board. The event is Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Idaho Commons Food Court. He said that eight of the 10 candidates are scheduled to attend and Justin Eslinger, who has held many positions in the ASUI office, will be officiating. Passey also said that three editors will be heading to Boise for an Idaho Journalism Advisors Association Conference. Nathan Jerke will be doing a sports writing workshop with some of the high school students and all the editors will serve as judges. The conference is a good opportunity to recruit future Argonaut contributors.

GEM: Bacon announced that the 2003 Gem of the Mountains has arrived from the publishers and it is an excellent edition. The media front desk has a list of students who pre-purchased the yearbook, and students can stop by and pick them up with their student ID. She added that the Gem has lost its photo editor and she has not yet decided whether to move a current photographer up into the position or to advertise and hire a brand new one.

GEM COMMITTEE: The Gem Committee did not meet but Bottari mentioned some of the promotional ideas that have come up. They have decided to use the display case on the first floor of the SUB to advertise the new book as well as a display in the UI Bookstore.

PHOTO BUREAU: Argonaut and Gem adviser Beesley said he and Michele Kimberling have been discussing the possibility of creating a separate photo bureau as a fifth department of Student Media. The idea would mean that the Argonaut, the GEM and even KUOI could pay photographers by the picture rather than the present system of a stipend every two weeks regardless of number or quality of photos. Beesley said it would involve restructuring some budgets and also hiring a department head. He added that with Kimberlings expertise and extensive experience in photography, she would be an excellent resource for the project and also serve as adviser to the bureau. Beesley said that the current editors and the Idaho Commons and Union administration are supportive of the idea. He added that once the proposal is ready, he and Kimberling would present it to the board to give members a clearer idea of the pluses and minuses of creating such a bureau.

Argonaut editor Passey said he was a strong supporter of the idea and felt, as a former Gem photographer and photo editor, that it will quite possibly save the Gem money. Passey added that it may help with the shortage of experienced photographers as well.

Beesley said that it could potentially put the emphasis on quality. He also pointed out that since the UIs School of Journalism and Mass Media lacks much in the way of a photojournalism program, this could serve as hands-on experience for students interested in pursuing a career in photography. In addition there may be the possibility of bureau photographers hiring out to shoot portraits or passport photos.

Faculty representative Hans Rosenwinkel was curious how the departments found their photographers and said that through his classes he may be able to help find a few experienced photographers for Student Media.

LOGO: The different drafts that had previously been presented to the board, along with two news ones submitted by Bacon, were passed around the table and discussion began. Bottari said her advertising graphics staff had been busy with ads and unable to come up with additional logo design options. The general consensus leaned toward one of Nomusa Ndbeles designs but several changes where recommended. The vote on the logo was tabled until some minor adjustments could be made to the logo.

Joslin motioned to adjourn, Bottari seconded and the motion passed 7-0-0. The Student Media Board meeting adjourned at approximately 5:35 p.m., Oct. 21, 2003.

-Minutes submitted on 10/23/03 by Stacy Carroll, Student Media administrative assistant