Maxson reassures journalism of his commitment to funding

Cal State Long Beach President Robert Maxson sat with students, staff and faculty Wednesday to clear up misconceptions about his commitment toward academics, and discuss funding options for the journalism department.

The visit came on the heels of an editorial criticizing Maxson for approving the Instructional Related Activities Funds boardÕs recommendation to deny a requested $38,821 for the University Magazine and Daily Forty-Niner.

According to Maxson, there has never been a president in the history of the university that has overturned a recommendation of the committee.

"We have a well developed collegial process for making funding decisions," Maxson said. "It is not my intention to upset that process."

Maxson reassured the journalism students, staff and faculty that his decision to approve the recommendation did not reflect his attitude about academics.

"IÕm not mixed up about what this university is about," Maxson said. "Our central mission is what takes place in the classrooms, laboratories and libraries on campus."

Included in that mission, Maxson said, is to develop and maintain a solid professional journalism program that produces a strong daily newspaper.

"[The Daily Forty-Niner] is important to campus because it is the only daily source of news about the university," Maxson said. "We must look for ways to fund it so that it is consistently stable."

"A strong department attracts the best and the brightest."

Maxson told the journalism audience of about 30 that they could monitor his actions sup Maxson told the journalism audience of about 30 that they could monitor his actions supporting his words.

"OK, I've given you my commitment, now I'm sure you want to see some action."

Maxson stressed that a superior professional journalism department is essential to recruiting new freshmen.

The UC system does not offer professional journalism programs.

"Many of these students indicate an interest in journalism," Maxson said. "A strong department attracts the best and the brightest."

Maxson recommended other avenues for funding besides the IRA funds.

"I know our editorial was pretty hard core," said Laura Lothian, editor in chief of the Daily Forty-Niner, "but I'm gratified it got [Maxson's] attention."

"I think the whole IRA funding process needs to be looked at," Lothian said. "The distribution of millions of dollars is at the whim of eight people."