Student Publication and Radio Committee (SPARC) elections will be held jointly with the SGA presidential elections on MARCH 5th. Students interested in becoming candidates are invited to fill out the Statement of Intent attached below by FEBRUARY 21st.

The Student Publications and Radio Committee (SPARC) is an elected student group that represents the students, administration, and trustees of Grinnell College as the publisher and over-seer of all student media on the Grinnell campus, including KDIC, S&B, The Gum, Yearbook, Grinnell Review, and The Paragon.

SPARC is independent of Grinnell's Student Government Association and derives its annual $100,000 budget from part of the Student Activities Fee paid by every Grinnell College student.

SPARC 2003-2004 candidates are: David Archer '05, Elena Bakaitis '04, Jillian Caly '04, Andres Chang '05, David Clark '05, Mark Gardiner '05, Laura LaBedez '06, Sechyi Laiu '04, and Yanika Schneider '06


Statement of Intent:
As a member of SPARC I would foster and encourage student expression through various media by maintaining current SPARC projects--so long as student interest remains--but also by actively soliciting new ideas from students for new projects. I believe the health of our self-governed community depends on a ceaseless flow of information and ideas, and as a member of SPARC I will try to ensure this discourse continues to flourish.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:
I have two years of newspaper experience as a staff writer, and over the last two summers I've worked for an independent book publishing company.


Statement of Intent:
SPARC has considerable potential to expose Grinnellians to exciting ideas and topics through its funding of various forms of media. I would hope to encourage the foundation of new media enterprises, while simultaneously monitoring current publications in an effort to keep them running within the budgets previously alloted. When carefully balanced, the SPARC budget is capable of not only improving the technology, quality, and salaries of Grinnell publications, but allows for the growth of intriguing new endeavors such as a music magazine like The Creature, or the recent "Johnny Cavalier" cartoon compilation.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:

I am currently the co-editor of EZNews, and plan to continue in this position next year. Additionally, I have had a News show on KDIC for the last three semesters, and have worked on the Grinnell Review Secondary Writing Committee, and occasionally the Art Selection Committee, since my first year at Grinnell. I would potentially be involved with all of these publications next year.


Statement of Intent:
I'm a junior Psych/Linguistics major from Long Island, NY, and have been involved with student publications for the past two years. I desire to be a member of SPARC for several reasons, but first and foremost, I want to be involved in the committee because I feel that we must create a set of guidelines by which each individual publication must abide. In the past, media heads have hired staff before allowing the general student body to apply and have bought new supplies without the approval of SPARC. I will work to create a system that will protect media groups from these kinds of incidents and will give everyone with a valid proposal equal access to SPARC funds. SPARC is here to serve and speak for the student body in all issues of mass communication, and I desire to contribute to this process.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:
I've been a KDIC DJ for four semesters, worked as a page editor and photographer for the Cyclone for one year, and am currently a photographer for the S&B.


Statement of Intent:
I am primarily interested in joining SPARC committee to help allocate funds more efficiently. It has come to my attention that SPARC has had some budget problems and so my primary goal would be to aid SPARC in attaining a financially sustainable enterprise.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:
I have not and currently am not involved with any publications. I would like to become more involved with the S&B. I heard rumors that the S&B censored certain articles (or by other means prevented certain items for publication). It would be sensible for me to address this concern. Of course a close scrutiny of all publications would also be prudent.


Philosophy) Statement of Intent:
Like the rest of the student body, I pay lots of money to this institution. When I have money in my own pocket, I don't like to waste it. I like to spend it on nice things. For example, I would rather spend $10 at a good restaurant than let one of my friends eat the same sum, no matter how badly he or she wanted to. I would like the school to spend my money with the same wisdom. I want to do what I can to make sure that the school is spending my money wisely. I want to protect everybody else's money in the same way, with the same caring vigilance. I want input, because I don't know who to trust. In order to be closely involved in the money spending process, I would like to serve on the SPARC committee. If elected, I will do all that I can to make sure that our money (mine and yours) is used efficiently and effectively, to serve all the disjointed and unsettling tastes of our student body.

I want to make sure that the money students are paying is being used in the best ways possible. Serving on the SPARC committee seems like a fine way to gain some input in the money spending process, so that's what I want to do. I have some experience with student publications and other money-spending organizations; I understand the power of SPARC and pray that it is used well. Of course, I will use it well, because I am a good, good man.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:
I have written a column for the Scarlet and Black for 2 semesters, going on 3; I was on the GUM staff last semester and will continue to serve this semester; and I have a news radio show on KDIC, which I started last semester with my pal, Carl Damerow. I plan on continuing my involvment in all of these publications regardless of whether I am elected to SPARC or not. At some point, I would like to write something for the Grinnell Review, as well.


Relations) Statement of Intent:
I am interested in serving on SPARC because I enjoy a number of our homegrown publications and media products, and I would like to have a personal hand in helping to see that they continue to succeed. Publications are a vital part of the intellectual and entertainment life of Grinnell, and I would love to play a role in keeping them going. I understand that there are sometimes tough budget decisions to be made. I feel I can handle the responsibility of taking such decisions seriously, striking a balance between the needs of students and fiscal realities.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:
Currently a submissions editor for the Paragon. I might try to get involved in the S&B or KDIC later, but only in a minor capacity. As a SPARC committee member, I would plan on seeing that certain of our newer publications keep at it, perhaps rising to the exalted rank of permanent publication. I would also be interested in supporting students' ideas for one-off publications; it is important for SPARC to support innovation in publications as well as the established names.


Statement of Intent:
I would like to serve on SPARC because I am interested in the administration and allocation of funds to the various media groups on Grinnell’s campus and would like to be a part of that next year. As a DJ on the radio station I have some idea how these organizations are run and I know many people on the various other publications such as the newspaper and have somewhat of an idea how those groups are run as well. I have served as a member on other committees through 4-H and other acitivities, am able to voice my opinions well, and believe I would contribute a lot as a member of this committee.

Disclosure of involvement in publication:
I am currently involved with the campus radio station as a DJ and would like to continue with that in the future. I would also like to become involved with the yearbook and possibly the campus newspaper next year.


Statement of Intent:
I intended to accomplish several tasks when I ran for SPARC last year, such as increasing awareness of the committee, making information about SPARC more public, and making SPARC activities transparent to the student body. SPARC must remain responsible for ensuring publications come out on time and hold publications which spend the student body's money accountable. It is for that reason that SPARC has a website publicizing its budget and with its by-laws out in the open for the first time.

I continue to hold the view that there is a responsibility to exercise control on what I see as mismanagement and wasteful spending within SPARC due to publication self-interest, at the expense of the student community.

I intend to continue to address this matter through increased publicity and transparency, public awareness, financial prudence, and being 'difficult' when it comes to late publications and being critical of budgets.

My actions are not without controversy. For instance, some do not agree with me that information about publication budget and wages, which comes from your student activities fee, should be publicly available and in the open.

Perhaps, but without being critical about where the money goes has allowed existing publications to absorb most of the money at the expense of special project publications that are deserving of funding. This has already happened and should never have.

Hence my philosophy: If there are any questions as to where the money goes, let everyone see it. SPARC needs long-term reforms to ensure the money that goes to publication does not go to waste. This doesn't need to happen.

Disclosure of involvement in publication: Peripherally associated with Grinnell Review, KDIC, and S&B in the past. I am presently a writer\webmaster for EZNews\Daily Jolt. Besides possibly becoming a writer for the S&B next year, I should have no other strong conflict of interests.


Statement of Intent:
I have a lot of experience with publications (senior positions in yearbook) and financial services (treasury of various clubs). I am interested in maintaining a strict budget, but also fairly allocating money for important journalistic "endeavors."

Disclosure of involvement in publication: Unfortunately, I'm not on any school publications. However, I suppose this is a plus since I have no conflict of interests.

Student Publications and Radio Committee, for 2002-2003

Upon election, you shall meet once this semester to choose a Business Manager and Assistant Business Manager from outside of your ranks. Next year, you will be part of a committee responsible for approving media budgets, choose media heads for the following year, and working on addressing varied problems that face student media.

Time commitment is small (approx. 15 hours/year), but personal commitment to the media is paramount.

Contact [sparc] with any questions. Return these to SPARC by e-mail or at our office in the SGA office in the Forum Basement.

Name (username):___________________________________________

Major:_______________________ Year: _______________________

Please fill out the following questions, as they are intended to inform voters what your position is on media issues.

(Statement of Intent for Election) Why are you interested in serving on SPARC?

(Disclosure of relationship to publication(s)) Are you now or have you ever been involved in any publication, and in what capacity? What publications would you plan to be involved in if elected into SPARC?

Elections to the Student Publications and Radio Committee are held each spring in conjuction with the SGA Presidental and Vice-President/PAA elections. This year elections will be held on campus on Wednesday, March 6 on the blackboard system. To access blackboard click here.

2002 Candidates for election to SPARC (and their statements of intent):

Michael W. Anderson '03: I am a junior English major. I've been a packrat and reader of (I think) every piece of paper SPARC has funded in the last three years, and have worked on the S&B as a photographer, writer, columnist and news editor. Student media seems to me to be an increasingly important source of shared community at Grinnell, and if I'd use an ideology in choosing how to allocate our money, it would be to err to the side of community -- niche publications are indispensable sources of innovation, but if every student is footing the bill, anything SPARC funds has to be accessible to every student.

Sechyi Laiu '04: The reason I wish to serve on SPARC is because it is my opinion that there needs to be stronger oversight by SPARC on several student publications. Some publications, such as those from the GUM, have taken freedom of speech as an excuse to publish messages that are libel. This abuses the purpose of such said freedom, wastes funding and opens Grinnell College to lawsuits. I do not wish to see this occur. Additionally, I have heard several complaints that either the S&B does not provide a "balanced" article or publish items that are pop cultural, and not newsworthy. As these publications are funded partially by our tuition fees, I believe there is a responsibility to exercise control on what I see as mismanagement and wasteful spending. Finally, I would like to see the procedure for setting up a publication to be more student-friendly so that others may take advantage of this resource. Hence, why I would like to serve on SPARC.

Derek Moon '04: Hello, I am a second-year from central Missouri living in Cowles. I would love to be a fresh, new, hard-working and dedicated member of SPARC. As communication is a fundamental paradigm in my life, I embrace all forms of media, and have a genuine interest in its uses and in Grinnell College itself. I believe SPARC is an integral part of this campus, serving both a practical and fun means of relaying music, imagery, and information to the students, community, and to the worldd. As a member of SPARC, I will strive to make fair, thought-out, and well-rounded decisions, taking into account all angles and effects, both good and bad. I am a confident problem solver and enjoy committee work and student interaction. I see a bright future for SPARC and the student body, so let me help take SPARC into the next year!

Jacob Kaufmann-Osborn '04: I would like to be a part of the SPARC committee because I believe that one of the most visible faces of Grinnell College is through its media. If I were on the SPARC committee, I would be able to help the college project the best image possible to students, staff, parents, etc. I have experience working with KDIC and would like an opportunity to work with all student publications. Although I believe that most of our publications are already very good, I would like to help them be the best that they can be.

Jennifer Walsh '05: I would like to be on SPARC because I am interested in the various forms of campus media. I have been involved with the campus newspaper and radio station this year. It is my first year at Grinnell and I'm honestly not entirely sure how SPARC operates, though I have worked for the S&B.

Student Publications and Radio Committee, for 2001-2002
Upon election, you shall meet once this semester to chose a Business Manager and Assistant Business Manager from your ranks. Next year, you will approve budgets, choose media heads for the following year, and help brainstorm solutions to the varied problems that face student media.
Time commitment is minimal (approx. 10 hours/year), but personal commitment to the media is paramount.
Contact [sparc] with any questions. Return these to SPARC, Box 15-90, by March 2.

Name (username):___________________________________________

Major:_______________________ Year: _______________________

Are you currently involved with publications? If so, how?

Why are you interested in serving on SPARC?