CUNY Graduate Center
Doctoral Students’ Council
Media Board

November 14, 2008

Chair: Rob Faunce (RF),

Present: Ally Foster (AF), Efrain Cardenas (EC), Gregory Donovan (GD),Chris Sula (CS) (guest), Denise Torres (DT),

Absent: None

Meeting was called to order at 6:05pm

I. Approval of Agenda

RF asked if there were any items to add to the agenda, there being none, GD motioned to approve the agenda, AF seconded. Motion passed by unanimous consent.

II. Designation of meeting secretary

DT acclaimed meeting secretary.

III. Approval of Old Minutes

RF asked if there were any additions, corrections or items left out of the minutes. There being none, AF motioned to approve the old minutes, EC seconded. Motion passed by unanimous consent.

IV. Advocate Report

JH submitted 4 types of documents for the report: 1) summary report; 2) statistics on web traffic; 3) newest edition of Advocate; and two versions of the budget.

JH offered that the stock used for the cover and pullout were of a higher quality. Given that it is brighter it draws the eye and looks more professional. JH offered that he would like to eventually move to color. This would require $170 more per issue and felt this was something for the Board to think about. GD asked what beyond the aesthetics would JH provide as a rationale for color. JH offered it was primarily the look and it would draw more people to read. the Advocate.

Regarding the budget, JH noted that given the suggestion and work of Michael Busch, the new Managing Editor, they have substantially reduced the budget by running a series called “What’s Happening in America” as well as he and JH doing much of the writing. The authors such as Chalmers Johnson, Bill Ayers, and Amiri Baraka have written for free. Hence, the Advocate has been able to provide a lot more content at reduced cost. Given this James is proposing that writers be given more than is currently paid (i.e., $50 for short article; $75 for extensive research articles). The $65 would cover book reviews, feature articles, and hopefully another column next year. EC asked if there was a link from the GC website. There is not. RF offered that as long as the budget would not be exceeded the Board could entertain a motion. DT motioned GD 2nd the motion. Motion passed by unanimous consent.

JH also noted that the comments section has been filled with a lot of inappropriate spam since the Web Editor has left. As well, traffic is done with March + May being the months with the most hits. GD asked regarding the ads. Ads are not going well. Partially this is the larger economic state and the other is that the change in managing editor may have been a factor as the relationships built by the previous ME have to be re-built.

IV. New Business

RF noted that JH should send archives to John Rothman as the Advocate is underrepresented. He can be found at the Concourse Level of the Library.

RF also noted that the February 27, 2009 MB will be for budget discussion and Editor-in-Chief hiring. If JH will not be considering returning, the Board respectfully asked for consideration in notification so that other candidates could be explored as early as possible. JH offered that he would like to continue on.

RF asked if there were any new business, there being none. the chair entertained a motion for adjournment.

XI. Adjournment

DT motioned to adjourn the meeting, AF seconded. Motion passed by unanimous consent.

Meeting adjourns at 6:31 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Denise Torres