(This version of the Constitution was edited and approved by the General Membership of The Hudsonian and Executive Board in Fall of 2020 and Student Senate and Faculty Student Association in Spring of 2021.)

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE HUDSONIAN
Hudson Valley Community College Student News Organization
ARTICLE I – PURPOSE
It is the policy of Hudson Valley Community College, through the publications of The Hudsonian, to
keep the campus informed of school, local, and world news and events. The main objective of The
Hudsonian is to inform the HVCC community and teach students how to report, publish and broadcast
news, as well as maintain a news organization through the various Editorial Board positions, in
accordance with generally accepted journalistic principles.
ARTICLE II – MEETINGS
● Regular general meetings will be held a minimum of monthly during Fall and Spring semesters at
a publicized predetermined time. General meetings may be held more often as required by the
Editor-In-Chief, with a minimum of one week notice to all members.
● Regular general meetings shall be used to discuss and act on official club business, including but
not limited to budget proposals and changes, expenditure requests, fundraising activities, club
activities, governance items, assignments by editors, and general club business.
● A regular general meeting shall only be qualified to conduct official club business if a quorum of
members (one half plus one) are present.
● Voting on regular general business items may be conducted remotely and/or virtually provided
the Editor-In-Chief can accurately verify the participants and vote counts.
● The Editorial Board shall meet as directed by Article V.
ARTICLE III – ADVISER(S)
● The primary role of the adviser(s) is to assist students in developing good journalism skills,
including but not limited to researching, interviewing, writing and editing content, design and
layout of the publications and/or website, business management, and determining what is
acceptable and appropriate for publication in The Hudsonian. The adviser shall seek to constantly
improve the quality of The Hudsonian through advisement, critiques, workshops, and any other
methods the adviser determines appropriate.
● Advisers shall NOT practice prior review and/or approval under any circumstances.
● The adviser shall be selected by a majority vote of the general membership, and shall serve until
resignation, termination of employment, or removal by a ¾ vote of the general membership..
● Multiple advisers may serve The Hudsonian provided each is selected as described in Section 3 of
this Article, and each adviser recognizes the other. In the event of a dispute between multiple
advisers, the Executive Board shall hold a meeting to attempt to resolve the dispute. If the
dispute cannot be settled in this manner, Student Activities will be contacted for further
assistance.
● The adviser(s) shall ensure all students are treated fairly and given equal opportunities to
participate in all aspects of The Hudsonian.
● The adviser(s) shall act as a mediator in all disputes amongst staff, first encouraging editors to
become involved in the resolution of the dispute. Should an adviser be unable to satisfactorily
resolve a dispute among editors and/or staff, Student Activities shall be contacted for further
assistance.
● One adviser shall be present for each official monthly meeting. Advisers shall make every effort
to maintain a presence at all general membership meetings held, as well as Executive Board
meetings.
● The adviser(s) shall act as liaison between The Hudsonian and campus administration when
required, after encouraging the Editor-In-Chief to act in this capacity.
● The adviser(s) shall assist with the transition between editors and staff, providing stability and
continuity,
● The adviser(s) shall stay informed of all group activities and programs of The Hudsonian.
● At least one adviser shall accompany editors and/or staff to student media conventions
● The adviser(s) shall approve and justify all expenditures, with the assistance of the
Editor-In-Chief and the Business Manager.
● The adviser(s) shall be familiar with the contents of the Club Procedure Manual.
● The adviser(s) shall interpret college philosophies and policies to editors and staff of The
Hudsonian.
● Each adviser shall have a minimum of one (1) office hour weekly to assist The Hudsonian editors
and staff. This office hour may be combined with other office hours, as permissible by the
College.
ARTICLE IV – THE HUDSONIAN STAFF
The Executive Board of The Hudsonian are considered staff of the club. Each staff member must maintain
a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. None shall be on Academic Probation, unless otherwise directed by
Student Activities. Executive Board members must be in good standing of the club throughout their term
of service. No individual may hold more than one office at a time within The Hudsonian. Current
Officers and Senators of the Student Senate may not serve as Editor-in-Chief of The Hudsonian..
Section A) Editor-In-Chief
● The Editor-in-Chief will be responsible for every aspect and action of The Hudsonian. The
Editor-in-Chief assumes all responsibility for content published and broadcast in The Hudsonian.
The Editor-in-Chief may be expected to justify and/or represent The Hudsonian as a result of any
content published and broadcast or any club action.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall oversee all responsibilities, including, but not limited to, interviewing,
researching, reporting, copy editing, writing headlines, design, layout, publishing, recruiting, and
financial duties, as administered by the appropriate Executive Board members. The
Editor-in-Chief shall be available to assist with and/or fulfill these duties if/when necessary.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall give final approval to all items published by The Hudsonian.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall preside over regular general meetings and Executive Board meetings.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall be responsible for establishing and distributing agendas for regular
general meetings and Executive Board meetings.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall enforce due observance of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Student
Senate and The Hudsonian.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall enforce all relevant college policies and state, federal, and local laws
which apply.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall officially represent The Hudsonian in all external affairs, or shall
appoint a representative to do so, with the advice of the adviser(s) as needed.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall be the first step in mediating all staff disputes, in conjunction with the
adviser as needed.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall ascertain that all required reports are sent to the Student Activities
office.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall be responsible for managing staff, including but not limited to filing
appropriate paperwork with Student Activities and the FSA in conjunction with the Business
Manager, on a regular basis as required.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall approve and submit compensation to Student Activities and the FSA as
needed, in conjunction with the Business Manager.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall determine times and locations of regular general meetings and
Executive Board meetings.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall be responsible for overseeing the physical appearance and condition of
all official club space.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall be responsible for communicating with the adviser(s) of the club
regularly.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall have at least 12 posted office hours per week..
Section B) Managing Editor
● The Managing Editor will assist and advise the Editor-In-Chief in all facets of the paper.
● The Managing Editor shall share responsibility in delegating and/or completing, interviewing,
researching, reporting, copy editing, writing headlines, graphic design, publishing, recruiting,
layout, and financial duties, as administered by the appropriate editors and/or officers.
● The Managing Editor will perform the duties of the Editor-In-Chief in their absence or at their
request.
● The Managing Editor shall act as supervisor for all staff, excluding the Editor-in-Chief and
Business Manager.
● The Managing Editor shall be responsible for creating an agenda for all official club meetings.
● The Managing Editor shall keep a current list of all staff writers, volunteer contributors and
editors, in conjunction with the Business Manager.
● The Managing Editor shall have at least 7 posted office hours per week.
Section C) Business Manager
● The Business Manager shall report directly to the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of The Hudsonian,
as directed by the Editor-in-Chief and with the assistance of the adviser(s).
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for taking minutes at all regular general meetings, and
submitting them to the Student Senate as required.
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for recording attendance at all regular general
meetings.
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for preparing budget proposals and modifications to
the Student Senate, and appearing before the Student Senate as required for financial matters.
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for administering the budget, ensuring all
expenditures are within the confines of the approved budget.
● The Business Manager shall approve all club expenditures, with the knowledge of the
Editor-in-Chief, before submitting them to the adviser for final club approval.
● The Business Manager shall make financial status reports at all regular general membership
meetings. The Business Manager shall be able to provide updated budget status when required.
● The Business Manager shall work with the Editor-in-Chief and club members to establish
appropriate rates for advertising in the paper and on the web site when applicable.
● The Business Manager shall establish official materials for distribution to current and interested
advertisers, including but not limited to publication schedules, advertising rate cards, invoices,
and proof-of-publication forms..
● The Business Manager shall oversee advertising.
● The Business Manager shall be familiar with the fundraising policies of the Student Senate.
● The Business Manager shall coordinate and oversee all club fundraising in conjunction with the
adviser(s).
● The Business Manager shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the
Editor-in-Chief.
● The Business Manager shall keep a current list of all staff contributors, guest contributors and
Executive Board Members, and communicate changes with Student Activities as needed.
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for submission of all required documentation for
compensation of all Executive Board and staff members, including but not limited to official
employment forms, timesheets, and payment authorizations, in conjecture with the
Editor-in-Chief.
● The Business Manager shall be responsible for communicating with the adviser(s) of the club
regularly.
● The Business Manager shall have a minimum of 7 posted office hours per week.
Section D) News Editor
● The News Editor shall report directly to the Editor-In-Chief.
● The News Editor shall oversee all news items published by The Hudsonian, including but not
limited to creating and delegating news story assignments, as well as assisting the news Staff
Contributors with research, interviewing, and writing news stories.
● The News Editor shall be available to all Staff Contributors to assist in the development of
journalism skills and practices, in conjunction with the adviser(s).
● The News Editor shall stay informed with recent local and campus news.
● The News Editor shall be responsible for editing all news stories for length and content.
● The News Editor shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The News Editor shall have a minimum of 5 posted office hours per week.
Section E) Layout Editor
● The Layout Editor shall report directly to the Editor-In-Chief.
● The Layout Editor is responsible for submission to the Web Editor and printer in a timely fashion
for publication.
● In regards to print publication, The Layout Editor shall, in conjunction with the other editors,
ensure details of the layout are correct before submission for publication, including but not.
limited to volume number, issue date, page numbers, picture captions, story placement,
advertisement inclusion, publication policy inclusion, and relevant staff contact information.
● The Layout Editor shall perform graphic design as needed by the club, including but not limited
to producing visual club promotion, advertisements, and doctoring photographs, in coordination
with the Editor-in-Chief and Photo Editor.
● The Layout Editor shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Layout Editor shall have a minimum of 8 posted office hours per week..
Section F) Copy Editor
● The Copy Editor shall report directly to the Managing Editor and Editor-In-Chief.
● The Copy Editor shall accept submissions for publication from all other section editors.
● The Copy Editor shall proof all publishable content for spelling and grammar errors as indicated
by the AP Style Guide, as well as verify the accuracy of any and all facts and statements included.
● The Copy Editor shall make staff aware of any and all changes made to submissions before
publication in order to improve writing skills.
● The Copy Editor shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Copy Editor shall have a minimum of 5 posted office hours per week dedicated to the copy
editing process.
Section G) Sports Editor
● The Sports Editor shall report directly to the Managing Editor and Editor-In-Chief.
● The Sports Editor shall oversee all sports items published by The Hudsonian, including but not
limited to creating and delegating news story assignments, as well as assisting the sports Staff
Contributors with research, interviewing, and writing sports stories.
● The Sports Editor shall be available to all Staff Contributors to assist in the development of
journalism skills and practices, in conjunction with the adviser(s).
● The Sports Editor shall stay informed with recent local and campus sports.
● The Sports Editor shall be responsible for editing all news stories for length and content.
● The Sports Editor shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Sports Editor shall have a minimum of 5 posted office hours per week.
Section H) Web Editor.
● The Web Editor shall report directly to the Managing Editor and Editor-In-Chief.
● The Web Editor shall be responsible for the design and layout of The Hudsonian’s official
webpage, as directed by the Editor-In-Chief.
● The Web Editor shall be responsible for regularly updating content of the official webpage.
● The Web Editor shall accept submissions from the Copy Editor for inclusion on the website.
● The Web Editor shall secure the approval of the Editor-In-Chief for all inclusions on the website.
● The Web Editor shall, if necessary, work with the Business Manager to secure advertising on the
website.
● The Web Editor shall maintain contact information for use by Executive Board Members.
● The Web Editor shall maintain the club’s social media presence, including but not limited to
posting promotional content at a minimum of every other week on the club’s active social media
platforms, and replying to social media messages in a timely manner.
● The Web Editor shall post promotional content as needed in conjunction with the Editor-in-Chief,
Photo Editor, and Layout Editor.
● The Web Editor shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Web Editor shall spend a minimum of 4 hours per week performing Web Editor duties.
Section I) Special Section Editors
● A maximum of two (2) Special Section Editors may be created and administered by the By-Laws
of The Hudsonian.
● The Special Section Editor(s) shall report directly to the Managing Editor and Editor-In-Chief.
● The Special Section Editor(s) shall oversee all items published or broadcast within their sections
as defined in the By-Laws of The Hudsonian, including but not limited to writing assignments,
assisting section Staff Contributors with research, interviewing, writing, and production of
broadcasts.
● The Special Section Editor(s) shall be available to all Staff Contributors to assist in development
of journalism skills and practices, in conjunction with the adviser(s).
● The Special Section Editor(s) shall be responsible for editing all section submissions for length
and content.
● The Special Section Editor(s) shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated to them by
the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Special Section Editor(s) shall have a minimum of 5 posted office hours per week.
Section J) Photo Editor.
● The Photo Editor shall report directly to the Editor-In-Chief.
● The Photo Editor shall be responsible for working with the Executive Board to determine what
photos are needed and coordinate photographers to cover all photo assignments.
● The Photo Editor shall be available to all staff photographers to assist in the development of
photo-journalism skills and practices, in conjunction with the adviser(s).
● The Photo Editor shall be responsible for captioning all photos.
● The Photo Editor shall also be responsible for editing photos for use in; The Hudsonian, the
official webpage, and for posting through social media– as well as communicating changes to the
Web Editor.
● The Photo Editor shall perform graphic design as needed by the club in conjunction with the
Editor-in-Chief and Layout Editor.
● The Photo Editor shall continuously work to compile and update a stock photo library.
● The Photo Editor shall perform any reasonable additional tasks delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Photo Editor shall have a minimum of 5 posted office hours per week.
Section K) Staff Contributors
● Staff Contributors shall be members in good standing of the club, and shall include reporters,
writers, broadcast producers, production hosts, or illustrators.
● Executive Board members may function as Staff Contributors, but are not eligible for
compensation as Staff Contributors.
● Staff Contributors shall report directly to the editor who made the assignment for each story.
● Staff Contributors are encouraged to propose and develop story ideas.
● Staff Contributors are responsible to complete assignments by the designated submission date, as
indicated by the section editor making the assignment.
● Staff Contributors are responsible for maintaining contact information for sources and witnesses
for verification purposes. Staff shall not be required to share confidential sources, unless directed
by a law enforcement agency following the proper procedure, and providing the proper
documentation.
● Staff Contributors are expected to make every effort to report fairly and accurately on all
assignments.
● Staff Contributors shall either secure the assistance of a staff photographer, or be prepared to take
photographs as required by an assignment.
Section L) Staff Photographers.
● Staff Photographers shall be members in good standing of the club.
● Executive Board members may function as staff photographers, but are not eligible for
compensation as Staff Photographers.
● Staff Photographers shall report directly to the corresponding section editor making the
assignment and Photo Editor.
● Staff Photographers shall be available to assist staff writers by taking photographs relevant to the
story being covered.
● Staff Photographers are expected to secure photographs to be used in the development of a file
photo library.
● Staff Photographers are expected to take proper care of club photography equipment.
● Staff Photographers are responsible to ensure all photographs are submitted in proper format and
in a timely fashion for all assignments.
Section M) Junior Editors
1. Junior Editors may be appointed by Executive Board members with approval by the
Editor-in-Chief at any time to assist other editors in their responsibilities.
2. Junior Editors may serve as Junior to any Executive Board position excluding Editor-in-Chief and
Managing Editor.
3. Junior Editors may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the Editorial Board.
Section N) Guest Contributors
● Any HVCC student, faculty, staff, or community member may make a submission to The
Hudsonian.
● There shall be no compensation made for guest contributions.
● Guest contributions shall be subject to all the same procedures and policies as staff submissions to
The Hudsonian.
ARTICLE V – THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
● The Executive Board shall consist of the Editor-In-Chief, the Managing Editor, the Business
Manager, the News Editor, the Copy Editor, the Layout Editor, the Sports Editor, the Web Editor,
the Photo Editor, and the Special Section Editor(s)..
● Interim officers are not granted voting status in the Editorial Board unless otherwise indicated.
● Executive Board meetings shall be chaired by the Editor-In-Chief.
● The Executive Board shall meet at a minimum of once per week to finalize publications and
discuss other matters as delegated by the Editor-in-Chief.
● The Executive Board may, by majority vote, establish, commission, and/or accept for publication
an official editorial piece, not to exceed more than one per issue published, or more than three per
week on the official website. All Executive Board and staff are expected to support any editorial
approved in this manner. Interim officers are granted voting rights for this type of vote.
● The Executive Board shall resolve disputes within The Hudsonian.
ARTICLE VI – SUBMISSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
● There shall be no guarantee of publication made for any submission to The Hudsonian. The
decision to include a guest contributor submission is at the sole discretion of the Editor-In-Chief.
The decision to include staff submissions shall first be made by the appropriate section editor, and
ultimately by the Editor-In-Chief.
● The Hudsonian shall establish and regularly publish a clear policy regarding the editorial process
for all submissions received. This policy shall include notification that submissions may be
edited for clarity, length, and appropriate content. All submissions are subject to this policy.
● Assignments shall be submitted first to the appropriate section editor, who shall edit the
submission for clarity, length, and content.
● Editors shall submit stories to the Copy Editor for editing as indicated under Article IV, Section
F.
● The Copy Editor shall submit their edited version to the Layout Editor and Editor-In-Chief for
final approval and inclusion.
● In the event further editing is required for length, the appropriate section editors and the
Editor-In-Chief shall be notified. The Editor-in-Chief shall give final approval.
● The Editor-in-Chief shall grant final approval once the paper is prepared for submission to the
printer.
● In all cases, every effort shall be made to advise the original author of the submission of changes
made, in the interest of education and development of good journalism skills.
ARTICLE VII – MEMBERS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES
● There must be at least 10 members for The Hudsonian to remain active..
● A member shall be designated as anyone who has attended the first regular general meeting of the
semester, or anyone who has attended two consecutive regular general meetings in a semester, or
anyone who has completed the proper paperwork to become a staff writer or staff photographer
and completed at least one (1) story assignment.
● Members shall remain in good standing as long as they attend regular general meetings and/or
complete assignments.
● Members in good standing shall be considered voting members for the purposes of regular
general membership meetings.
● A member shall be deemed no longer in good standing when any of the following occurs:
1. The member misses three consecutive regular general meetings, or
2. The member fails to submit assigned content for inclusion in three consecutive issues of The
Hudsonian, or
3. The member fails to accept any assignments requested and/or made by editors for two
consecutive issues of The Hudsonian.
● Members who do not remain in good standing for three consecutive issues may be expelled from
the club. Members expelled in this manner are eligible to become members again by following
Article VII, section 2.
● Members must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. If a member’s GPA falls below the
required GPA, they shall immediately be expelled from the club, unless otherwise directed by
Student Activities.
● Members are expected to follow the policies and procedures set forth by the HVCC Student
Senate and college, including but not limited to those included in the Student Code of Conduct.
● Members are expected to act at all times in a manner befitting their status as members of The
Hudsonian.
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
● The Editor-In-Chief, Business Manager, Managing Editor, News Editor, Sports Editor, Layout
Editor, Copy Editor, Web Editor, and Special Section Editor(s) shall be elected positions within
The Hudsonian.
● Once per year, general elections shall be held for qualified candidates interested in elected
positions with The Hudsonian.
● The general election must be held at a regular general membership meeting with at least one
adviser present.
● The general election must be held with a quorum (one half plus one) of all members in good
standing present.
● Candidates shall be elected by a majority vote of the members in good standing present..
● Candidates must be nominated by a member in good standing, and seconded by another member
in good standing.
● Candidates shall be considered eligible for positions if they meet the following requirements:
1. The Editor-In-Chief must have 90 days of experience as a member in good standing with The
Hudsonian, or an appropriate editorial, journalism, or management background, as determined by
the adviser(s).
2. The Business Manager must have 30 days of experience as a member in good standing with The
Hudsonian, or an appropriate applicable business background, as determined by the adviser(s).
3. All other editors shall have at least 30 days of experience as a member in good standing with The
Hudsonian, or an appropriate editorial or journalism background, as determined by the adviser(s).
● If no qualified candidate exists for a position during the general elections, the position shall
remain unfilled as of the general election.
● Positions which remain unfilled after the general election, or which become unfilled may be filled
at any time by temporary appointment of the adviser(s). The appointee shall serve as an interim
officer until such time as a qualified candidate emerges and a special election is held.
● Unfilled, vacated, or interim positions may be filled at any time by a special election if at least
one qualified candidate exists.
● A special election shall be held at an official Executive Board meeting with at least one adviser
present. A quorum (one half plus one) of the current seated Executive Board. Candidates shall be
elected by a 2/3 approval vote.
● Qualified candidates in a special election must be nominated by one voting Executive Board
Member. No second is required.
● Upon any election, the elected officers are seated immediately. Any displaced officers shall be
encouraged to work for a smooth transition to the new officers.
ARTICLE IX – DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
● Any member may be expelled from the club in accordance with Article VII.
● Members that are not officers may be expelled by the Editor-In-Chief for documented reasons.
● Any member expelled by the Editor-In-Chief under Article IX, Section 1 may appeal to the
Executive Board for reinstatement. An appeal shall be heard at an Executive Board meeting with
a quorum of seated officers (one half plus one) and at least one adviser present. The member and
the Editor-In-Chief shall both be granted appropriate time to present their case, with the
Editor-In-Chief presenting first. Upon conclusion of the presentations, a vote shall be held for
reinstatement. Reinstatement shall occur with a 2/3 approval vote.
● The Editor-In-Chief may, at an Executive Board meeting, move for the dismissal of an officer
from a position for documented reasons. This shall occur at an Executive Board meeting with.
quorum (one half plus one) of seated officers and at least one adviser present. Upon this type of
motion by the Editor-in-Chief, an adviser shall become chair of the meeting. The Editor-in-Chief
shall then present a case to the Executive Board. The defendant shall then be given a chance to
present their case. Removal shall occur with a 2/3 vote to remove. Officers removed in this way
shall not be granted an appeal.
● The Editor-In-Chief may be impeached at an Executive Board meeting with a quorum (one half
plus one) of seated officers and at least one adviser present. A motion to impeach shall be made,
and seconded. Once the motion to impeach has been seconded, one of the advisers shall become
the chair. A representative of the Executive Board shall present a case against the Editor-In-Chief.
The Editor-In-Chief shall then present their case. Upon conclusion of the presentations, a vote
shall be held, with a ¾ vote resulting in impeachment.
● Upon impeachment, the adviser(s) will temporarily appoint an interim Editor-In-Chief. At the
next official regular general meeting, a removal vote will be held as the first item. A removal
vote shall only be held with a quorum (one half plus one) of members in good standing and at
least one adviser present. An adviser shall chair this portion of the meeting. A representative of
the Executive Board shall present a case against the impeached Editor-In-Chief. The
Editor-In-Chief shall then present their case. Upon conclusion of the presentations, a ¾ vote shall
be required for removal of the Editor-In-Chief.
● The Editor-In-Chief may not be impeached more than once per semester.
● Any officer removed from a position under this article shall not be eligible to run for any elected
office for the remainder of the semester.
● Removed officers are considered members in good standing of the club unless and until
appropriate disciplinary action for members is taken.
● Any member expelled under this article, and not reinstated, shall not be eligible to become a
member for the remainder of the semester.
● Disputes between staff and/or officers shall first be handled by the Editor-In-Chief. If no
satisfactory resolution is achieved, the Editor-In-Chief shall refer the dispute to the Executive
Board, who shall hear all sides of the dispute. The Executive Board may choose to pass a
resolution by majority vote to resolve the dispute. Interim officers are not granted voting rights
for this type of vote. The decision of the Executive Board shall be binding.
● If the dispute involves the Editor-In-Chief, it may be brought to the Executive Board by any
currently seated Executive Board member, including an interim officer. The Executive Board
member shall make a motion to hear a dispute, at which point one of the other officers not
involved in the dispute shall chair the meeting, in the following order: Business Manager, News
Editor, Layout Editor, Copy Editor, Sports Editor, Web Editor, and Special Section Editor(s).
The Executive Board may choose to pass a resolution by majority vote to resolve the dispute.
Interim officers are not granted voting rights for this type of vote. The decision of the Executive
Board shall be binding. Upon conclusion of the vote, control of the meeting shall pass back to the
Editor-In-Chief..
● If a dispute is unable to be resolved by the Executive Board, it shall be brought to the adviser(s)
for further action.
ARTICLE X – EDITORIAL POLICY
The Hudsonian will conduct itself as a professional news gathering organization. The Hudsonian shall
report on news, features, sports, and events fairly and accurately. It shall adhere to the laws of the United
States and the State of New York as well as to the Code of Conduct as outlined in the HVCC Student
Handbook. All inclusions in The Hudsonian will be carefully reviewed by editors to remove any possible
libel.
Section A) News
● The editors of The Hudsonian shall make every effort to verify that all facts are accurate. All
news articles will be checked at the source, or with a responsible authority.
● News stories shall be appropriately researched and developed. Every effort shall be made to
contact all sides involved and offer the opportunity for comment and/or response.
● There can be no rule that any particular college activity must be mentioned.
● There can be no rule regarding what is newsworthy.
● The Hudsonian is not liable to college administration approval, and may publish negative PR if it
is reported in newsworthy fashion.
● The Executive Board is encouraged to include as much newsworthy content as possible.
● Editorial pieces, features, and/or reviews will not be presented as news.
● The Hudsonian shall be the official publication of the students, and no policy shall be established
that might promote the ideas, events, and/or agendas of any one student group or population over
any other. Fair and equal consideration shall be given to all HVCC populations, with the
emphasis on the students first.
Section B) Editorials
Editorials will:
● Present the facts honestly and full; no editorials will be based on half-truths.
● Avoid consciously misleading the reader, distorting a situation, or placing a person in false light.
● Give a voice to those who disagree..
● Make a special effort to discuss matters of importance to the school.
Section C) Letters to the Editor
● Letters will be printed only if the writer’s identity can be verified absolutely by the
Editor-In-Chief.
● Letters may be edited directly by the Editor-in-Chief for clarity and/or length, but the content of
the letter must be preserved.
● There is no obligation on the part of the paper to print any or all letters received.
● A Letters to the Editor policy shall appear in every issue of The Hudsonian. This policy shall be
established in the By-Laws of The Hudsonian.
Section D) Advertisements
The Business Manager will:
● Accept for publication only those advertisements that are in the best interests of the paper.
● Accept only those advertisements which will not expose the paper to legal action, including but
not limited to libel and/or defamation lawsuits.
● Make every effort to verify that all advertisers are legitimate and capable of making payment for
advertisements published.
ARTICLE XI – STAFF COMPENSATION
● Stipends shall be paid on a regular basis each semester and shall be administered by the Student
Activities Office.
● Only officially enrolled HVCC students who are members in good standing of The Hudsonian
shall be eligible for compensation, as determined by the adviser(s), Student Activities, and/or the
FSA.
● Staff members may elect to decline compensation, in writing, to the Editor-In-Chief for
documented reasons, including but not limited to Financial Aid benefits.
● The Business Manager shall approve and submit all stipend payment requests.
● Stipends will not be issued to students who have not completed the procedures to become official
staff members of The Hudsonian as directed by Student Activities and/or the FSA..
● Staff members who have not completed the proper procedures to receive compensation as
indicated by Student Activities and/or the FSA may remain members in good standing of The
Hudsonian, but shall be officially considered Guest Contributors until such time as they have
completed the required procedures to become compensated staff.
● Payment shall not be made for services rendered retroactively.
● The Editor-In-Chief shall receive a stipend in the amount of $140.00 per issue for which he/she
sat as the Editor-In-Chief for a maximum of 26 issues during an academic year.
● The Managing Editor shall receive a stipend in the amount of $85.00 per issue for which he/she
sat as the Managing Editor, for a maximum of 26 issues during an academic year.
● The Business Manager shall receive a stipend equal $30.00 per issue plus a commission of 15%
for all revenue while he/she sat as the Business Manager, up to a maximum commission of
$1,000 per semester.
● The Layout Editor shall receive a stipend in the amount of $100.00 per issue for which he/she sat
as the Layout Editor for a maximum of 26 issues during an academic year.
● The Copy Editor shall receive a stipend of $100.00 per issue for which he/she sat as Copy Editor
for a maximum of 26 issues during an academic year.
● All other Editors shall receive a stipend of $70.00 per issue for which he/she sat as an Editor for a
maximum of 26 issues during an academic year.
● Junior Editors shall receive $10 per issue plus normal compensation for staff contributions and
photography.
● Staff Contributors and Photographers may only receive compensation for original content.
● Staff Contributors will each receive a stipend of $25.00 for original content publications
including: articles (250 words or more), broadcasts (10 minutes or longer), comics, illustrations,
and infographics. Staff Contributors shall be compensated for a maximum of 26 publications each
semester at the discretion of the Editor-In-Chief. Contributors whose work is shorter than outlined
above will receive a stipend of $10.00, for a maximum of 26 stories or productions each semester
at the discretion of the Editor-In-Chief.
● Staff Photographers will each receive a stipend of $10.00 for each original photo printed in The
Hudsonian, for a maximum of 52 photos each semester at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.
● In the case there is no Business Manager, any staff member shall receive a commission of 10%
for all paid published advertisements that he/she acquired, per issue, up to a maximum $200 each
semester. This commission shall be in addition to any other stipend that member is entitled.
ARTICLE XII – BY-LAWS
● To assist with the governance of the club, The Hudsonian may maintain By-Laws..
● By-Laws shall be created, amended, or removed by a ¾ vote of quorum (one half plus one) of
members in good standing at a regular general membership meeting. An adviser must be present.
● Any member in good standing may move for the creation, amendment, or removal of all or any
part of a By-Law at any official regular general meeting. A second shall be required.
● Upon motion of a By-Law creation, amendment, or removal, a discussion shall be held. The vote
shall automatically be tabled for a minimum of one week, until the next regular general
membership meeting with an adviser present.
● No By-Law shall be made which supersedes this Constitution, any official governing documents,
or policies of the Student Senate, or any federal, state, or local law.
Tie Vote Policy
● Robert’s Rules of Order allows the Editor-in-Chief’s vote to break a tie vote during a General
Election and/or a Special Election.
● The Editor-in-Chief can also vote whenever his or her vote will affect the result. If the motion is a
tie and the Editor-in-Chief does not want to vote, the motion is defeated.
● A tie vote is not a majority.
● A tie vote which involves the election or dismissal of an Editor-in-Chief calls for a closed door
Executive Board session to break the tie in both a General and Special Election.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by The Hudsonian Editorial Board by a majority vote of a quorum (one
half plus one) of all seated Editorial Board Members, with an adviser present. The amendment(s) must
then be approved by at least 2/3 of a minimum of quorum (one half plus one) of the members in good
standing at a regular general meeting with an adviser present. The amendment(s) must then be approved
by the Student Senate. This Constitution, if approved, will supersede all previous documents. It shall take
effect immediately upon approval by the Student Senate and/or the FSA.
ARTICLE XIV – INACTIVE CLUBS
The Hudsonian will become inactive and be removed from club standing if there have been no
expenditures or activities within one year, and/or if at least one adviser is not active, and/or if a budget is
not submitted in a timely fashion.