Our constitution

Constitution of The Duquesne Duke

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Nov. 1, 2004

Mission:

Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost is a Catholic University, founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost, the Spiritans, and sustained through a partnership of laity and religious.  Duquesne serves God by serving students-through commitments to excellence in liberal and professional education, through profound concern for moral and spiritual values, through the maintenance of an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity, and through service to the Church, the community, the nation, and the world.

Article I: Name.

The name of this organization will be The Duquesne Duke.

Article II: Purpose.

First and foremost, The Duquesne Duke is dedicated to being an open, fair news forum for the students, faculty and alumnae of Duquesne University. This forum is conducted in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists (see code below) and with sensitivity to the University's mission statement. By providing this open forum, The Duke is maintaining the atmosphere of responsible discussion that is the underpinning of the university setting.

Article III: Officers.

Section 1, Selection of an adviser:

The Duquesne University Publications Board will interview all candidates for the position of adviser, and the board will select the final candidate. The board also will handle any disciplinary action toward the adviser, pending a hearing before the board. The Publications Board, in the event of repeated violations of the SPJ ethics code, a serious violation of the law, or extreme dereliction of duties, can remove the adviser. Removal of the adviser requires the vote of two thirds of all current members.  If less than two thirds of all current members are in attendance at the time of the vote, the vote will be decided in favor of the adviser.

Section 2, Selection of an editor:

The Publications Board will interview candidates for editor of The Duke, and the board will make the final selection. The Publications Board, in the event of repeated violations of the SJP ethics code, a serious violation of the law, or extreme dereliction of duties, can remove the editor. Removal of the editor requires the vote of two thirds of all current members as well as the vote of the adviser.  If less than two thirds of all current members are in attendance at the time of the vote, the vote will be decided in favor of the editor.

Section 3, Selection of all other editors:

The adviser and the editor will select all other editors of The Duke, and, if necessary, handle any disciplinary action. The Publications Board will be advised of any serious disciplinary action.

Article II: Advertising.

The Duke reserves the right to reject any advertisements that are counter to the mission of the University (and/or Catholic Church), or those that are in extremely bad taste.

Article IV: Amendments and Interpretation.

Section 1, Procedure:

The movement to amend this constitution may be proposed by any member during a meeting.

Section 2, Votes:

Amendments shall be voted on at the meeting following proposal.  The ratification of an amendment requires the vote of two thirds or more of all members.  Any members not present at the meeting may make their vote known the to faculty adviser.

Section 3, Approval:

All amendments must be submitted to the chairperson of the Publications Board who will then forward them to the board for review and approval.

Article V: Regulations:

The organization shall comply with the Duquesne University Student Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. As a publication, the organization shall also comply with the rules and by-laws of the Publications Board.

The Duke also follows The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

Preamble:

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

Seek Truth and Report It:

Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

-Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.

-Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.

-Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.

-Always question sources? motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.

-Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.

-Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.