In the spring of 2000 the popular Gorham campus television station G-TV was shut down on two separate occasions. And though last year passed without incident, University officials have outlined a contract to avoid future problems.
Two weeks ago, however, while an old contract existed between G-TV and the group officially responsible for the station, the Student Senate, many were unclear on what the contract entailed.
When asked if he had seen the contract, G-TV General Manager Chad Carter claimed he had not. When asked again, he responded, “Well, maybe I have seen it and I just don’t remember.”
Carter said he believed the contract had to do with “the whole work-study thing.” He elaborated, “The whole conflict was about work study. It was too complicated. There were too many detours between me and Kathleen [Pease, coordinator of Student Senate activities]. With her directly in charge [of G-TV work-study], everything should run smoothly.”
What Carter did know and what he was excited about was that this year he will be able to work closely with Student Senate Chair Marcy Muller and Vice-Chair Brittany Esposito. “Brittany and Marcy like to hear the individual.”
Muller had a different idea as to the content of the contract.
“[G-TV] had aired racist and anti-homosexual remarks and Joe Austin [Director of Gorham Student Life] wanted to pull their connections.”
Muller said the contract outlined what Student Life, the Student Senate and Carter are all responsible for, tightening an established relationship between the three student bodies. It was created to establish a good working relationship between Student Life and G-TV.”Basically,” Austin said, “they are using our space and the contract is just a use agreement.”
This year’s contract will be similar to last year’s, which outlined who’s ultimately responsible for G-TV content and space, according to Austin.
Carter and Muller both discussed issues that have negatively effected G-TV, particularly in the spring of 2000.
The week of March 18, 2000, following the resignation of former G-TV general manager, concerns about work-study abuse were behind a Student Senate shutdown of the station.
A month later, on the week of April 21, 2000, reports of hate speech brought a second shutdown of G-TV. Carter met with Austin to discuss the station’s future.
Austin expressed his wishes for a new set of guidelines for G-TV to follow.
Since the confusion about the content of this year’s proposed contract, Austin has approached Muller, asking her to sign a “Channel & Studio Use Agreement” which, as stated in the agreement would hold the “Senate solely responsible for the operations of G-TV.”
The contract specifically outlines the responsibilities of Gorham Student Life and the Student Senate on the behalf of G-TV. Issues concerning studio curfews, inspection notification, and station content are covered in the use agreement.
On Friday Muller presented the contract to the Senate. (See Senate Update on page 7.)
Citing concerns about portions of the contract’s wording, specifically concerning hours of studio operation, Gorham Student Life conditions of inspection and loss and damage responsibility, the Student Senate appointed a senatorial committee to investigate the potential agreement before Muller would agree to sign.
The committee has yet to meet.
Staff Writer Alex Steed can be contacted at: [email protected]