Interim editor named at Union

The Associated Students Inc. Publications Board has appointed Loren Kopff as interim editor in chief of the Long Beach Union pending other applications within this week.

The Associated Students Senate has final say in this decision when it approves the board meeting minutes. which takes place in a couple of weeks, according to Adriane Carrier, A.S. women's commissioner.

Kopff was appointed by a vote of 4-2 against former Union Editor in Chief David Weiner.

If no applications for the position are submitted, Kopff will be hired permanently.

For the past three semesters, Kopff has worked for the Union as a staff writer and as sports editor.

He has also worked for the Daily 49er. He replaced Tom Sizgorich, who formally resigned last week.

Kopff represents a more conservative disposition for the Union, which is traditionally known for its controversial subject matter, most recently marked by the Feb. 17 front page cartoon of a naked woman.

At the Publications Board meeting Thursday, Kopff responded to questions of how he would use editorial discretion, by stating he would choose not to run material that might offend some students on campus.

Jennifer L. Talleff, a Union staff writer, said she was pleased with the decision.

"Loren has good ethics and knowledge of where the paper should be," Talleff said. "I have no doubt that he will protect the integrity of the paper and the people who write it."

Michael Coombs, managing editor of the Union, was against appointing Kopff. "[Kopff] is a great sports writer and he is very reliable," Coombs said. "As far as editor in chief goes, I don't think he's the best person for the job." Coombs said he was in favor of Weiner becoming the editor in chief.

"David has had a consistent leadership with the Union," he said. "He is knowledgeable about a broad range of news and styles." Weiner said he is considering applying for the position.

A.S.I. Vice President Celine Cordero endorsed Kopff's nomination, after she presented a sample code of ethics for the Union. She reacted to the recent grievances against the Union saying, sexist depictions of women have no place in a campus newspaper.

A motion to draft a code of ethics was made at the meeting. Carrier, who is on the publications board, said that the content of the Union should be consistent with the mission statement of the A.S., if the paper continued to be funded by it. She maintained that the code is not an attempt to censor the Union.

"The idea of the Union is great," Carrier said, "but it needs to seek out its greatest potential."