College journalists strike significant blow against censorship

Home News Tribune Online 06/27/07

ARTHUR Z.
KAMIN

Ocean County College President Jon H. Larson is having a hard time coming to grips with the real meaning of a recent momentous First Amendment student newspaper lawsuit settlement in which he and his administration were charged by three Viking News editors with intimidation and censorship.

"The mark of a good settlement is that it makes everyone happy and that is certainly true in this case," said the embattled community college president, trying to put his best face on a major free-speech issue he created two years ago that drew national attention to the Toms River institution.

Over the years, Larson used heavy-handed tactics in an attempt to silence and gain control of a probing campus newspaper that shed light on his leadership shortcomings. He also harshly targeted the publication's faculty adviser, who was fired from that post — only to be permanently reinstated by the new agreement.

So while Larson gropes to stamp his own spin on the settlement, several journalism academics have come forward to put the issue into perspective.

"The OCC journalism settlement is a victory for the First Amendment and for college journalism," said Dr. John V. Pavlik, a professor and Department of Journalism and Media Studies chairman at Rutgers University . "Journalism at Ocean County College and in New Jersey generally will be stronger because of this settlement."

"It is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit from editors of the Viking News to bring about this result. But it is essential that students throughout the state have full rights to freedom of speech and press," Pavlik added.

The censorship culture at Ocean became an academic and a journalistic disgrace that drew criticism and concern from mainstream and collegiate newspeople as well as media organizations, academics and students at colleges and universities throughout the land.

There on the Internet and in print was Ocean journalism — a symbol of a broken-down program badly in need of emergency academic-freedom repairs. Larson, his administration and his board of trustees were so arrogant and smug that they did not understand what was happening on their own campus.

It was unfortunate that Larson — in his prepared settlement statement (He was too busy for an interview.) could not bring himself to recognize the positive influence that Karen Bosley, the longtime Viking News faculty adviser and professor, had on Ocean's journalism studies. The program went downhill when Larson and his loyal lieutenants started meddling and interfering with the award-winning college paper's independence in seeking out the truth.

But the good news is that Bosley is back and secure as adviser, even though she still has her own personal lawsuit against the college. The settlement also brought forth a strong First Amendment statement adopted by the college. And it created a student media advisory board that would oversee budget and staffing but keep clear of editorial and news policies and decisions.

Alberto D. Morales, one of the three editors who filed the lawsuit, said they all had had it with Larson and his administration. "I'm not sure if courage was what we were thinking," he said. "We just knew it was the right thing to do. Simply put, we felt something wrong happened and we weren't going to get picked on as student journalists." The other editors are Scott Coppola and Douglas Rush. Morales is now an Indiana University journalism student and an editor on the college daily newspaper there.

Ronald Miskoff also called the settlement "a great victory for college journalism." He is the assistant director of the Rutgers Journalism Resources Institute, a journalism professor there and a college newspaper adviser.

The settlement, he stated, "shows that the courts agree that collegiate journalism — certainly the news and editorial departments — ought to be free of interference from administrations that use their position to control the campus media."

And Miskoff viewed the Bosley permanent reinstatement decision as sending "a message that college administrations should be careful in the way they treat the campus media."

"A college newspaper is not a public relations publication," Miskoff said. "It is designed to report news fairly and accurately while simultaneously teaching students the basics of journalism. Bosley worked for years toward this high goal."

But, as the debris is cleared from the Ocean County College First Amendment battlefield, there is no question that the human and emotional toll exacted will linger for a long time.

Bosley said she finally will be able to go to work and stop "wondering and dreading what new actions and indignities would be taken against me and/or my students in attempts to stifle our journalistic efforts."

That sentiment was echoed by Kathy Lawrence, director of student media at the University of Texas-Austin and immediate past president of the College Media Advisers of which Bosley is a member.

"I cannot begin to tell you how much I admire the courage that Karen Bosley and her students have shown in this situation," she said. "It's hard to imagine a scenario in which you work to uphold your own code of ethics, your value for the First Amendment — only to have those you work for try every trick in the book to discourage you or force you to quit."

The wounds are deep. But Ocean County College now should take up a collection to install a small plaque in the Viking News newsroom dedicated to Scott Coppola, Alberto D. Morales, Douglas Rush and Karen Bosley for their dedication and determination to ensure free press and free speech at the school. Larson, in a show of good faith, might want to make the first contribution and, at the same time, demonstrate he really understands the full meaning of the historic settlement.

Arthur Z. Kamin, Fair Haven, is an independent journalist and teaches journalism as a Brookdale Community College adjunct instructor. As a Rutgers undergraduate, he was editor-in-chief of The Targum, the student newspaper

Comments

[Suzanne]

Hey, just a quick question...has anyone heard anything about Dr. (Dean) Brown. He is in the hospital, and not sure what his prognosis is...just trying to determine what is happening.

[Pouty Professor]

FNG and Suzanne: Your concerns and insights are comme il faut! All the Jonbots and admin care about and have cared about since the getgo is how they look. They don't give a rat's ass about education, community, or the Novins Planetarium. Oh, would that be The Jon H. Larson Planetarium ? The Strubbs Fun House? Look, my friends: rather than allow what is happening at OCC to fall to the wayside and out of the public eye--even Bosley's now settled case--we still must make every effort to keep the momentum and " to make a better OCC" as the website is called, and oust these bastards. Despite Larson's continuing efforts to intimidate, fire, or force outspoken tenured (and non-tenured)people out and replace them with hand-picked young and moldable faculty (search committees hard work and recommendations are ignored --how ethical and democratic), there are still many of us who want to and can still make a difference. We owe OCC this if, for no other reason, than to honor Bill Kanouse's memory and the efforts that cost him his life.

[Suzanne]

I urge all those support staff that having been working without a contract for so long to start making some noise somewhere (like the media).

I understand you say you don't care about the planetarium because you still don't have a contract. Have you spent some real time in trying to figure out why? I could give you a big reason SARA WINCHESTER. When you get the chance to see and ratify this contract (which will be happening soon) I HIGHLY suggest you make sure you have time to read through and truly understand the contract BEFORE you even consider voting yes or no. Don't get yourselves caught like the Fulltimers did. DO NOT RATIFY without full disclosure and at LEAST a week to read and understand for yourself.

Now, as far as only being concerned about yourself and not the planetarium. That is a sad revelation of the times. People only care about their own immediate gratification or care. While I understand our own innate desire to consider ourselves above all others, it is not a truly wise way to live. In the end it leads to more problems for yourself and everyone else. Just look at the political system in New Jersey. Who cares about anything until it affects themselves...we let politicians run rampant hiring cronies, padding their own pockets, taking trips on the people's dime (Ginny Haines is just one local name) and we don't do anything about it until..wow, we suddenly have a problem paying our taxes or we lose some sort of benefit that our county, town, state use to offer but can no longer afford to. Don't bury your head in the sand and think that the Planetarium doesn't affect you. When you have to suddenly pay more for your school taxes because in order to fulfill the space science curriculum which could have been done locally, children now have to be taught by an additional "specialized" teacher, or they have to take long trips to another planetarium or, they have to install special computer terminals and connections to link them to another facility where the curriculum is taught (which also costs a fee). The simple quick answer is NOT always smart!

[Forgotten not gone]

Hey! It just dawned on me seeing the date listed . . .

Happy 38th anniversary of the 1st Moon landing.

[Forgotten not gone]

To the anonymous one:

All part and parcel of the same problem. An idiotic and controlling administration with no respect for anyone. Besides, last time I checked Suzanne was a student, does she have a contract?

Quite a few people care about the planetarium. And quite a few people (at least on campus) care about the fact that there is a segment of the OCC community that has been working for an outrageously long time with no valid contract.

The greater public community, however, really doesn't care all that much whether you, I or anyone else on this campus has a valid contract. Most already think we get paid too much.

Besides, the planetarium is about science education and community service, not just pretty pictures of space. You might not care about space, but we all live there and it pays to know your neighborhood.

who cares - I want a contract not a pretty picture of space

[Forgotten not gone]

It's not just YOUR belief. There are definitely others who believe that the planetarium NEEDS to get out of OCC control. The college is the reason the planetarium was in the state it was to begin with. It had a deficit because OCC would not repair equipment properly and didn't market the place. And from what I've seen, heard and found out about, I certainly worry about its future. I'm sure the College has already got a schedule of OCC and Kean use of the place that leaves very little time for the community and schools to make use of the planetarium.

I know they're continuing to poorly market the facility. I've seen very little marketing about the "Reach for the Stars" campaign the college is running. And several times I've been by the planetarium, the Director's trying to prep or send out flyers that she makes at home to advertise the events they're holding because the college still hasn't made up a brochure.

The college does not now and never will care about the planetarium. I believe they're just trying to make themselves look good in the public eye, toss the public enough time that they'll think everything is normal, and don't care a whit about the quality of presentation. I fear that what I and many have enjoyed about the planetarium is going to be forever lost - through Larson's actions.

good plan have the county piss more $$ down the rat hole. Dont we pay enough in tax already. How about we do something to get a contract so I can get paid. I don't give a hoot about outspace just my inner space! I guess if your contact has been settled for so long it is easy to look for things to bitch about. Maybe if I can get a contract I will worry about outspace as well.

[Suzanne]

It will be my personal belief, like I have stated in the past and stated again last night, that the county needs to take the entire planetarium over. They claim that they don't have anything to do with the "running" of the college, only the buildings and grounds. My contention is that the planetarium is used more by the community than the college.
The Freeholders are frighteningly unaware of ANYTHING that happens at the college, especially the Planetarium, as evidenced by Mr. Kelly's comments that "I don't think the decision was ever made" when responding to someone's question as to when the college decided to close the planetarium. They thought the planetarium closing wasn't decided until AFTER the donor pulled out. THEY are ALL trying to blame the donor (or state) when in reality the blame falls squarely on them. The situation didn't "pop" up over night, and it is a true picture of how the administration operates. Don't worry about it til someone makes a fuss! Just keep padding our pockets.

[Forgotten not gone]

Of course there are some REAL planetarium names that are good for a chuckle too . . .

Moody Planetarium
Brest Planetarium

Although, is it really appropriate to sell naming rights to things that the county is paying for with our tax dollars? Considering the Freeholders just passed that 2 million dollar allotment for the planetarium, doesn't that make Ocean County and its citizens the largest donor to the project?

But . . . down off my soapbox . . . I kind of like the Viagra Planetarium suggestion, keep 'em coming! (No pun intended.)

[WebMaster]

Planetarium naming rights up for sale?!!

http://www.ocobserver.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/NEWS01/707170334&SearchID=73287483500721

Come on, folks, I know that it's summer, but we should be able to come up with some good ones.

"Viagra Planetarium-Let the Stars Turn You On"

"Preparation H Planetarium-Rest Your Aching Ass!"

[Citizen Sane]

It's hard finding the proper emotional bearings in this summer of grief.

Grief needs the distance of time, which at the moment we sorely lack.

[Pouty Professor]

Thanks, CS et al, for the insights into the Japan jaunt. While I'd like to be able to see it as worthy and legit (and Dr. Novelli is for the most part sincere and a true academic), I am too jaded and wary of anything the evil twins do that seemingly benefits them in some way. An Associates degree to run the Writing Lab? Nice. Prof. Boese was an experienced teacher with a Masters. So, instead of putting value on helping our students, the focus is on pie in the sky "global education." Surprised Catherine Tiege (the new darling of OCC) isn't spearheading it--she seems to be the shadow admin having gone over to the dark side with hands in everything. These university alliances would be better served by a US 4 year university unless the deluded King Jon really thinks he runs Kean. Mark my words: They will wind up having student tutors and some computer program. Short sighted management.

[Forgotten, not gone]

Sorry Suzanne . . . you'd be overqualified for the position and they'd have to pay you too much.

[Citizen Sane]

I like your thinking, Suzanne. Wait, however, until the college funds a trip to the Brazilian rain forest for the medicinal mysteries you seek.

A point of fact might be useful on the Japan trip of OCC ranking administrators. The trip is courtesy of the Japanese government. Next year six faculty members are slated to go, also paid for by the Japanese taxpayer. This all came about as a result of a connection related to Dean Novelli.

It is always good policy to leave the country just after you announce a settlement to a losing law suit, even if the opportunity comes from the good work of someone you tried to ax five years ago.

Some guys get all the breaks.

[Suzanne]

Speaking of trips...I was actually considering the Mexican one in January...if I could find someone to foot the bill! It would be cool to work it into a nursing program, where you could research the ancient civilizations use of medicinal cures, etc!

[Suzanne]

Oooo, I could apply, I have a BS (in science) LOL!

[WebMaster]

Anybody notice the posting for the Writing Lab Tutor? "Associates Degree" required. You have got to be kidding me. Didn't the newly retired Writing Lab tutor have a Master's degree? We are replacing a Master's degree holder with an Associate's degree...perfect for Writing Across the Curriculum. Brilliant.

They went to Japan to escape the first amendment of the US Constitution. To escape the reality that the students were right and the administration was wrong. No more interviews, no more spin needed. What a great trip for them, to visit a country where the women still walk 10 feet behind the men.

The provine in Japan is trying to make new relationships with East Coast Colleges - they have several on the USA West coast and are looking in our direction. It all started when Dr Novelli team taught with a person who is involved with the Japanese college. I heard that the province in Japan was picking up the tab.

[Pouty Professor]

Anone else find it disgraceful and sickening that King Jon & entourage, (etta, Novelli and McGinty I think) are on holiday in Japan?! Presumably forging yet another pointless "partnership" at taxpayer expense. China, Israel...nice work if you can get it...guess they figure that the news of their recent fall from grace hasn't reached Asia. Projected spin: Came out of a different budget and Japan picked up the tab. Right.

[Citizen Sane]

Kamin: ". . . the human and emotional toll will linger for a long time."

[Pouty Professor]

Know what? At this point, I have to believe that he could not get hired at any 4 year school. OCC might have willingly overlooked his reputation, but we have a definite pattern here with his management style and shenanigans. Anyway, the cited article is in today's APP...

[Forgotten, not gone]

Better job offers at a 4-year university.

[Pouty Professor]

Where's Jonny's crack PR team who should seriously edit his comments or simply advise him to shut up. "Spinning" the story doesn't make it what it is not. His responses to the settlement are so idiotic and deluded that even I'm embarrassed for him. He's doing the same thing with the planetarium--making it seem like he and his board spearheadeded its revival. They are even throwing in in a few bucks themselves. The APP had a front page piece today about the 2 million the county is donating. Were it not for the public outrage, and the eforts of ASTRA, Suzanne, and Director Gloria V, it would still be closed. What will it take to get rid of him and his administrative team???