Union Editor Quits

by Rod Cayton	On-line Forty-Niner
March 3, 1997

Thomas Sizgorich formally resigned as editor in chief of the Long Beach Union Wednesday. The announcement was made Thursday at the weekly Associated Students Senate meeting.

Sizgorich's resignation came one week after a controversial cartoon, which depicted a naked woman on the cover of the Union.

The cartoon raised the ire of a number of people on campus, according to Associated Students Inc. Vice President Celine Cordero.

"I've received complaints," Cordero said. "Some of the other senators have received complaints from faculty, staff, administrators and students. I felt I should bring it to the board's attention."

Both Sizgorich and Cordero downplayed any link between the cartoon controversy and Sizgorich's departure.

"I am not too familiar with the resignation," Cordero said.

While Sizgorich could not be reached for a full interview, a comment made in passing contradicted the notion.

"It had more to do with my 20 units," Sizgorich said.

The Union is partially funded by the A.S.I. but Cordero denied that any senatorial pressure was being exerted on the publication.

"This is not an issue of free speech," Cordero said, "but of taste and tact. We're not trying to censor [the Union]. I completely believe in free speech."

David Weiner, former Union editor in chief, and Michael Coombs, current Union columnist, came to the defense of the cartoon, expressing the opinion that the senate took it too seriously.

"I think the problem is that a few people came along and expressed their concern," Coombs said. "If that's all the senate hears, that's what the senate will [respond] to. We could easily find a hundred people who liked the cartoon."

Weiner said he would have also run the cartoon.

"I don't find the human body offensive," Weiner said.

The illustration has apparently managed to antagonize a portion of the Cal State Long Beach community, which drew Cordero's attention.

"I think it's a situation the Associated Students had to handle," Cordero said. "We fund the Union."

Weiner said the situation was blown out of proportion.

"I think it's just a case of Celine overstepping her authority," Weiner said.

The Union is known for its radical and humorous points of view, as well as serious news coverage. The publication's association with the Senate is often a strained one.

"The Union-A.S. relationship is an age-old question," Coombs said.

"There's a certain feeling among some people on the senate that we're a haven of sophomoric male chauvinists," Weiner said.

Cordero differed, saying, "The Union is a wonderful paper, it's just unfortunate that the situation had to occur.

Coombs said the Union is taking steps to eliminate the portion of its funding which comes from the senate.