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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 1998-1999
Mendocino-Lake Community College
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 5 findings
F1
Page 57
As mandated by California Education Code, Section 76120-76121, the Board adopted Board Policies 509 and 524, which established a comprehensive policy protecting First Amendment rights throughout the campus.
F2
Page 57
Students were involved in the publication of The Eagle on a voluntary basis, loosely guided by a faculty advisor(s). The College administration provided assistance to the project in the form of a $200.00 monthly stipend for the advisor(s), space for the work and use of College equipment. At some point The Eagle established a link to the College's web site with no objection from the administration.
F3
Page 57
In late 1997, The Eagle received anonymously and published a confidential memo-randum concerning personnel issues involving administrative evaluations of a Dean of Instruction. The memorandum also included charges of improper hiring procedures for a specific administrative position and improper use of certain categorical funds.
F4
Page 57
Following the publication of the memorandum, the Administration took three actions regarding The Eagle: First, the Administration cut the previously condoned link between The Eagle and the college web site on the stated grounds that such linkage, without official college approval, was unlawful. The "hot link" to The Eagle web site was removed within 36 hours of the posting of The Eagle Extra in October 1997. Second, the Administration then terminated the existing arrangement of the publi-cation of The Eagle. The exact date of termination is difficult to determine because there was no official notice. Third, the Administration moved the publication of The Eagle into a newly created journalism class within the English Department. The newly hired instructor of the journalism class is also the advisor to the presently operating student newspaper.
F5
Page 58
The journalism teacher/faculty advisor has stated a commitment to ensuring that the publication meets high standards for quality journalism and to the free expression of ideas and non-interference in what appears in the newspaper.
Recommendations 4
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R1Page 57The Grand Jury recommends vigilance on the part of students and faculty alike to ensure that the established policies of the College and the First Amendment rights receive strict adherence.
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R2Page 57The Grand Jury recommends that the College Administration make no further changes in the status of The Eagle which might again give the impression of retaliatory restriction on free speech rights. The Eagle must be free to publish any information, with due regard for libel and obscenity rules, without fear of administrative interference or retaliation. The College Administration should reactivate a link between The Eagle and the College web site.
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R3Page 57The Eagle should publish the official policies of the College in order that everyone can be familiar with the College's official, established policy regarding free inquiry and expression.
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R4Page 57The Board should institute a colloquium including Board, Administration, faculty, and student body concerning freedom of expression on the College campus, including cyberspace issues. Freedom of Communication