WOLV TV - Constitution

Preamble

WOLV Student Television serves as an outlet for University of Michigan students to gain hands-on experience in television production and management. Our goal is to create and cultivate an accessibly educational organization that provides informative, engaging and entertaining programming to the University community.

Management and Structure
1. The Executive Board – [Hereinafter referenced as EBoard] the governing and steering body of WOLV Student Television [Hereinafter referenced as WOLV]. The EBoard is responsible for all decisions involving policy and direction of the station and student organization. The EBoard is comprised of:
  1. The General Manager(s) [Hereinafter referenced as GM]
    1. The GM(s) of WOLV is/are the leader(s) of the EBoard. The number of General Managers is selected at the conclusion of each academic year based on the needs and goals of the station [However, the number of GMs need not be more than two persons]. They are resource managers and coordinators of the EBoard. They lead the EBoard in determining future goals for the station and how they will be achieved through the distribution and management of station resources. They are responsible for delegating projects and assignments to individual departments, as well as monitoring their progress.
    2. The GM(s) is/are the public voice of WOLV. The GM(s) is/are responsible for communication with all third party media organizations and university administrators in dealing with station wide issues.
      1. The GM(s) may select other EBoard members to engage in third party communications, but all communication should be approved by the GM(s).
  2. Department Heads
    1. Department Heads are responsible for creating a document outlining the structure and goals of their department for the upcoming year and overseeing the operation and execution thereof.
    2. The Department Heads are:
      1. Sports Director
      2. News Director
      3. Entertainment Director (added 3/20/2006)
      4. Programming Director
      5. Business Director
      6. Operations Manager
2. Stationwide Managers
  1. Stationwide Managers are WOLV members who are given a position in order to perform a specific task.
    1. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, planning a social event, or working toward the overall goal of financial management.
  2. Stationwide Managers may be added at the discretion of the EBoard and the specific department heads on an as-needed basis.
    1. The progress of the Stationwide managers should be reviewed at the conclusion of each semester.
    2. The EBoard maintains the right to rescind managerial duties to all those appointed at any time.
3. Departments
  1. News – The responsibilities of the News Department are:
    1. Weekly News Programming
    2. On-site Coverage
    3. Other News Programming
    4. Coordination with University and Local News Sources
  2. Sports – The responsibilities of the Sports Department are:
    1. On-Site Coverage
      1. live
      2. live-to-tape
    2. Recap/Highlight shows
    3. Entertainment Sports Shows
    4. Coordination with Athletic Sources
      1. Including the University Athletic Director's Office as well as any other local or national sports media affiliates.
  3. Programming Department – The responsibilities of the Programming Department:
    1. Content Control
    2. Quality Control
    3. Content Development
    4. Coordination with Producers
      1. Create a studio use schedule
      2. Inform producers of upcoming training events
    5. Weekly Programming
      1. Managing 24 hour programming in Residence Halls
      2. Creating a working schedule for broadcast
  4. Entertainment Department – The responsibilities of the Entertainment Department are:
    1. Any shows not covering news or sports content will be considered entertainment programming
    2. In-Studio entertainment programming
      1. Production regularity varies with the demands of each particular program
    3. On-Site entertainment programming
  5. Business – The responsibilities of the Business Department are:
    1. Enrollment
      1. Organize Mass Meetings
      2. Schedule involvement in Festifall/Winterfest
    2. Station Awareness – Public Relations
      1. website
      2. campus and community advertisements
    3. Sales and Advertisements
      1. Maintain and update a master list of local business contacts
      2. Obtain sponsorship for all programming and station commercials
  6. Operations – The responsibilities of the Operations Department are:
    1. Ensure cohesive station processes
      1. In-studio and On-Site
      2. editing
    2. Manage equipment check-outs
    3. Maintain station communications
      1. Mailing lists
      2. Phone and fax lines
    4. Training
4. Other WOLV Entities
  1. Producers
    1. Are responsible for at least one show that is broadcast on WOLV.
    2. Are responsible for the creation, content and initial quality control of their broadcast.
    3. Liaison to the EBoard from their show(s).
  2. WOLV Core – At this point (Fall 2005) WOLV Core is an experimental part of WOLV. Future EBoards should evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency in order to determine its future viability. WOLV Core’s intended goals are:
    1. Cross-departmental production group
      1. All Managers and Producers are automatically members
    2. Designed to provide station-wide learning opportunities
    3. Participation in continuous and regular training sessions
    4. Assigned general station projects such as commercial creation, ad campaigns or social event planning
      1. Projects are to be worked on and submitted with the respective stationwide manager(s) approval
    5. Involvement in WOLV Core is required to become Manager/Producer
Governance
1. Meetings
  1. The Executive Board is to convene in weekly meetings of any of the following types at its own discretion:
    1. Closed – Executive Board only
    2. M/P Meetings – Executive Board and Managers and Producers
    3. General – Open to all WOLV members
  2. At the discretion of the General Manager an EBoard meeting may be cancelled.
  3. At the discretion of the General Manager an emergency EBoard meeting may be called.
  4. The EBoard is also to convene in open meetings as needed.
    1. Open meetings may be attended by staff members, community members and University of Michigan administrators, and must be attended by all Managers.
  5. The EBoard shall organize “mass” meetings throughout the year which provide an opportunity for interaction between members of all departments and for the information of prospective members. Types of mass meetings include:
    1. General Mass Meetings
      1. At the beginning of each academic semester.
      2. The goal is to inform prospective new members and current members of the opportunities at station.
    2. Departmental Mass Meetings
      1. To be held throughout the semester at the discretion of the department head.
      2. To inform prospective members of departmental show specifics while engaging in basic training on studio equipment and regarding appropriate station conduct.
2. Documentation
  1. At the end of each semester, the General Manager will write a report to be shared with staff members and University administrators which describes the “State of the Station,” based on progress reports from individual departments.
  2. Significant station correspondence will be filed for record in a year-specific folder to be held in the WOLV Offices either in paper or electronic form. This correspondence includes e-mails, meeting minutes, and pertinent 3^rd-Party Correspondence.
  3. The EBoard is to develop a budget for the upcoming fiscal year based on the needs and goals of the station.
    1. Budget Proposal is to be submitted to Housing Information Technology Office (or whichever University Office is most appropriate) at the conclusion of the Winter Semester.
    2. The Operations Manager is responsible for drafting the budget proposal with input from the EBoard and other WOLV members.
  4. Knowledge Packs are to be created or updated by the outgoing directors each year. There are two types of knowledge packs:
    1. Stationwide Knowledge Pack
      1. general information on the workings of the station
      2. an updated station history
      3. a copy of the current WOLV Constitution
    2. Departmental Knowledge Pack
      1. Describe the structure of the department including all managers
      2. Describe the shows and how they were produced
      3. Include all helpful processes that have worked in the past
3. Elections
  1. General Elections – EBoard, Managers and Producers
    1. Elections are to be held near the end of the winter semester each year.
      1. The date is to be set at the discretion of the current EBoard.
    2. All Management positions are available to be filled at election time.
    3. Returning Managerial candidates must run for re-election.
    4. All Management positions will be voted on at election time by the outgoing EBoard.
    5. The GM(s) is/are to notify the entire staff of coming elections, and will make applications available to interested staff members.
    6. Applications are to be confidential and viewed only by EBoard officials.
    7. Applications will be used by the EBoard to prepare questions for the interview and to provide initial and supplemental information about the candidate.
    8. All candidates must be interviewed before election to a post in order to determine the most qualified applicant for the position.
    9. Candidates are elected by a 2/3 majority vote of the EBoard.
    10. EBoard officers may not take part in voting for any position they are running for, EBoard or otherwise.
    11. All positions will be voted on each year.
    12. Candidates not voted into their first choice position may be placed in another Management position at the discretion of the EBoard and in accordance with the candidate’s wishes.
    13. The time following elections will be a training period. At this time newly elected persons will attend meetings and are responsible for learning the responsibilities of their positions. A transfer of leadership will take place at the discretion of the outgoing position-holder, but prior to the conclusion of production.
  2. Executive Board Appointments and Special Elections
    1. At any point during the academic year, the EBoard reserves the right to appoint or elect an individual into a managerial or production position provided it meets the needs or goals of the station.
      1. Such positions are not immediately eligible for participation in EBoard meetings or EBoard voting.
      2. A review of the newly created position and officer shall be completed at the conclusion of the term that the individual is appointed to determine their ongoing need at the station.
4. Checks and Balances
  1. Executive orders may be issued by the GM(s) in cases where he or she believes that a unilateral decision is in the best interest of the station.
  2. The EBoard may veto an executive order by a 2/3 majority of the EBoard, not including the GM(s).
  3. Official Station Decisions will be decided by a 2/3 majority vote by the EBoard unless explicitly stated otherwise.
5. Amendments and Ratification
  1. This Constitution and its Bylaws will be said to be ratified by a unanimous vote of the elected WOLV EBoard. Bylaws may be added by a 2/3 majority vote of the EBoard.
  2. Amendments may be made to this Constitution by unanimous decision of the Executive Board.
Guidelines and Procedures
1. Personnel Rules and Hiring Procedures
  1. WOLV members must be enrolled Undergraduate or Graduate students at any University of Michigan school in either the fall or winter semester of that academic year. Members wishing to participate during a fall or winter semester in which they are not enrolled may do so at the discretion of the GM(s).
  2. In electing its staff and in choosing the content it displays, WOLV is committed to providing an atmosphere of equal opportunity, free from prejudice on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, physical appearance, age, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. The GM(s), who may choose to report the occurrence to University administrators, will deal with all reports of discrimination quickly and openly.
  3. Managers must have the background and expertise to fulfill their responsibilities, and at least one semester of active station participation. This includes working as a crewmember on a show(s) for an entire semester [and potential involvement in WOLV Core].
  4. Producers must have the background and expertise to fulfill their responsibilities, and should have been active on at least one show before attempting to start their own show. The EBoard, with the input of other members of the Programming Department (specifically the Programming Director), will approve Producers for the upcoming fall semester each March.
  5. Members of WOLV may join at any point of either the Fall or Winter semester. Their involvement, in terms of crew staffing, is entirely up to the needs of the Producer and the Department and their level of commitment.
  6. General members are identified by membership in one or more of the individual station departments. Their involvement is based on the amount of time that they commit to the station.
  7. General members are subordinate to, in order of relevancy, their respective producer (if applicable), manager, department head, and finally the Executive Board.
2. Conflict Resolution and Appeals Process
  1. Complaints regarding a cancelled program or a program that has been rejected should be directed to the GM(s). A reason for program cancellation or rejection must be issued within one week of the decision. Programming produced by WOLV staff members is given precedent over any other type of programming.
  2. Personal conflicts between staff members should be brought before the GM(s). If the disputing parties agree, EBoard representatives will engage the parties in a binding conflict resolution process.
  3. In the case of a policy dispute, the appeals process is as follows:
    1. If the process involves staff members, the dispute is to be brought to the Manager in charge of those members, then the relevant department head, then the EBoard. If the EBoard cannot convene, the dispute is to be brought before the GM(s).
    2. If the dispute involves Managers, the dispute is to be brought before the relevant department head, then the EBoard. If the EBoard cannot convene, the dispute is to be brought before the GM(s).
    3. Interdepartmental disputes are to be brought before the EBoard. If the EBoard cannot convene, the dispute is to be brought to the GM(s).
    4. Disputes are to be resolved in a timely manner. If not resolved quickly, a dispute is to be advanced to the next highest level of authority.
3. Review Process and Termination
  1. Staff members or elected officers of WOLV found to be in violation of rules contained within this Constitution and Bylaws will be brought into a Review Process. Staff members may be terminated after this review procedure for any of the following reasons, and others as determined by a majority of present EBoard officers. Managers and Producers may be fired for the following reasons (listed below), if a complaint has been lodged with the EBoard. The EBoard will enter into a Review Process that will seek a conclusion with all deliberate speed. If 2/3 of the EBoard votes to remove the officer, the position will be said to be available. The EBoard will fill this position through normal voting procedures. The reasons for termination include, but are not limited to:
    1. Consistent failure to fulfill the duties of a given position. This includes, but is not limited to: failure to attend staff meetings or failure to maintain a positive working relationship with other staff members.
      1. If the person in question is an unelected staff member and is part of an on-going show, the Producer of that show is expected to conduct a performance review with the staff member before turning the matter over to the Review Process.
      2. If the staff member in question is an elected officer, or if the staff member is not part of an on-going show, the appropriate Department Head is expected to conduct a performance review with the staff member before turning the matter over to the Review Process.
    2. Violation of University security policy as described in the Student Code of Conduct and the ITD Proper Use Policy.
    3. Unauthorized possession or improper handling of station equipment.
    4. Behavior on premises that is disruptive, unbecoming and/or causes embarrassment to viewers, station personnel, and community or University staff.
    5. Misuse of funds and/or resources.
    6. Actions detrimental to professional functioning of the organization.
    7. Consistent abuse of or lack of respect for station visual identity standards.
    8. Inappropriate use of station communications technology, including, but not limited to: email, postal box, phones, tackboards, letterhead, envelopes, photocopier and message pads.
    9. Any and all illegal activity including drug or alcohol abuse.
  2. The General Manager(s) of WOLV may be impeached if found guilty of high crimes against the station. The impeachment of the General Manager(s) requires a unanimous vote of elected EBoard officers, excluding the General Manager(s). If the General Manager(s) is/are impeached or become(s) otherwise unable to perform his or her duties by his or her own admission, the EBoard will immediately convene and choose an EBoard officer to take on the responsibilities of the General Manager(s) for the duration of the elected term.
  3. Any officer wishing to resign from his or her position must give a minimum two weeks notice to the EBoard before leaving.
4. Equipment and Facilities Procedures
  1. During official University breaks, WOLV members and WOLV alumni may only be granted access to WOLV facilities at the discretion of the GM.
  2. Card Key access and office space (including drawer and desk space) are determined by the GM(s).
  3. Tapes may not be removed from the premises for any reason. Staff members may make copies for personal use if using their own tapes.
    1. This excludes live or live-to-tape events and their production
  4. Letterhead is to be used whenever communicating through writing, with contacts outside of the station. Use is limited to business regarding WOLV; any personal use is prohibited.
  5. Email resources are to be used solely for the dissemination of information relevant to WOLV, and not in any way for personal purposes. All email groups are to be structured with the preface “wolv.” and end in “umich.edu”. All WOLV staff members must be on the “wolv.members” email group. The GM(s) and Operations Manager must be listed as administrators of all email groups.
  6. Long-distance phone and fax usage is restricted to business related to WOLV. Any call or fax made outside of the (734) area code must be logged, complete with phone/fax number, person called/faxed, and the name of the staff member placing the call/fax.
Bylaws
1. Fair Coverage Amendment:

In the interest of promoting a free marketplace of ideas, programming decisions will be made with attention to fair coverage. Political programming is to take the form of a debate where each side is afforded equal time, and every effort is made to provide a forum for fair response to current and relevant issues. No guarantee of a free response time is implied in this Amendment. No religious programming of any type is permitted.

B. WOLV Advertising Rates:

Advertise: Purchasing an advertising option means that on one episode of any program, the thirty-second spot (taped footage or graphic with voice-over) will air during the show. The purchased advertisement will always re-run when the specific show on which it first appeared re-runs.
Total price by number of advertising options purchased:

1 - $85

2 - $154

3 - $230

4 - $306

Greater than 4 – Discount is negotiable and subject to change.

Underwrite: Purchasing an underwriting option means that you will be the sponsor of one episode of any program excluding NewsFeed. Your thirty-second spot will run during the program, and, additionally, you will be credited with a brief acknowledgement at the beginning as well as the end of the program.
Total price by number of underwriting options purchased:

1 - $115

2 - $208

3 - $310

4 - $415

Greater than 4 – Discount is negotiable and subject to chance.

5. Season – You may also choose to underwrite an entire season’s worth of programming (as opposed to just an episode), meaning that you would be the official sponsor of that program for the remainder of the semester of year. The price of this package varies and must be quoted by a WOLV sales representative.

6. Special Agreement: Advertising or underwriting agreements that may include merchandise exchange or an alteration of one of the above options.

C. Appropriate Content Amendment:

Producers of content for airing on WOLV or WOLV website(s) must be familiar with the following guidelines, and be prepared to use their discretion in judging content that is appropriate for our viewers. Failure to comply with the guidelines for appropriate content will be brought into the review process.

All content on WOLV must be free from libelous slander.
All content on WOLV must be free from obscenity, as defined by that content which would offend contemporary community standards and lacks serious educational, artistic, or scientific value.
Parental permission must be obtained before a minor can appear on the air.
The owner of property must give permission before Producers may use their facilities for broadcasting purposes.
Plagiarism of any sort is not tolerated.
Proper permission must be obtained before Producers can use copyrighted material. This can take the form of Ascap/BMI rights, or a letter of permission from the author or production company. Exempt from this rule is material of legitimate news or editorial content, provided the Producer uses only a segment of the material in question.

D. SSS Sexual Harassment Policy

WOLV maintains a workplace free from sexual harassment of any kind. The GM, who may choose to report the occurrence to the University administrators, will deal with all reports of discrimination quickly and openly.

E. Ownership

All property, intellectual and capital, contained on the premises of WOLV are wholly owned by WOLV and the Regents of the University of Michigan. Programming produced by WOLV may not be re-distributed or rebroadcast for use outside the Fair Use Doctrine.

F. Severability

In the event any one or more of the provisions of this Constitution or Bylaws shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable.

G. Constitution Revisions (ratified April 1, 2001)

The WOLV Constitution shall be revised each year by the EBoard. Any changes made to the Constitution will take effect the following Semester.

H. Necessary and Proper Clause (ratified April 1, 2001)

The WOLV EBoard is authorized to make a decision contrary to or not specifically covered by the Constitution at times when making such a decision is unanimously identified by the EBoard as being both necessary to the station’s well-being and proper in reasoning and logic.

I. Producer and Management Crossover (ratified April 1, 2002)

At the EBoard’s discretion Producers may be allowed to hold Management positions and vice versa. This decision must be made before elections and will take effect the following year.

J. General Amendment 2005-2006 (ratified January 8, 2006)

Extensive reformatting and revisions made to the WOLV Constitution were designed with the best interests of the station in mind. Instead of defining specifics of each department that did not necessarily apply from year to year, the 05-06 WOLV EBoard desired to add more flexibility of process and organization to the constitution. The nature of WOLV suggests that, with the high amount of turnover that is inherent in this student group, there need be coherently structured flexibility built into the governing document. It is the hope of the 05-06 EBoard that these amendments made to the constitution will provide more feasible means to attain successful, stationwide goals.