The following disclosure was originally printed, in only slightly different form, in the Justice's Feb. 7 issue.
Journalism at a small school like Brandeis is wrought with conflicts of every sort, and there is no better example than the multitude of journalistic dillemas the Justice has faced in its continuing coverage of club finance reform.

Coverage of the Student Union's campaign to overhaul the Student Activities Fee-a fee collected from all students that funds nearly all student-run groups on campus-is an important issue, one the student newspaper has an obligation to report on objectively and comprehensively. But the issue is also one to which the Justice is inextricably linked, and with the newspaper's dual role as player in this story and objective observer, there is no doubt that full journalistic disclosure is due.

The Justice has provided coverage of SAF reform since the last academic year, starting with former Union President Mark Schlangel's '05 creation of the A More Perfect... committee-which was charged with reviewing all aspects of Union operations, including SAF distribution-and moving into coverage of current Union President Jenny Feinberg's '07 complete investigation into the allocation of the nearly $1 million in student money that is distributed to clubs.

But during this time, the Justice has also been a key figure in the conversations shaping some of the reforms, both on the editorial page and in discussions with Union officials. Feinberg came to former Justice Editor in Chief David Fudman '07 last semester, and in discussions with the paper's managing editors, implored the Justice to look for ways to operate with less SAF funding.

Under the current system, the Justice is one of eight groups receiving a set percentage of the SAF every year-currently about six percent-for an SAF allocation of about $59,000. This money covers our printing costs almost exactly, while a plethora of other operational costs-such as purchasing computers-are funded through limited advertising revenue, income that can fluctuate radically from year toyear.

The newspaper has been printed reliably by Mass Web Printing Co. for more than five years, and we had not recently considered switching. But in continuing Fudman's work, the managing editors and I located a less expensive printer, Graphic Developments, Inc.

Assuming this printer proves itself reliable (see bottom), the reduced cost will allow the Justice to function just as efficiently with nearly 25 percent less SAF funding, a cut the paper will accept, and one we negotiated with Union officials.

There is no getting around the fact that the Justice has been set aside in the forthcoming amendment-practically given special treatment-as our continual news coverage will make abundantly clear. It's easy to see this as a back-room deal between Justice editors and Union officials, but I'm thankful the Union has proven cognizant of the dangers of infringing on freedom of the press.

The current system of club funding was created in the 1970s, and the idea of secured groups was created for one-and only one-reason, according to Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer: to protect the Justice's journalistic independence from the dangers of a Union potentially angered by a critical editorial.

I am a firm believer in freedom of the press, and though I was very receptive to the Union's pleas to lower costs, I was also determined not to compromise the Justice's ability to publish every week for years to come. I am delighted the Justice found a way to give money back to the community while still maintaining our lasting security.

The Justice is a community newspaper, one belonging to students. Anything this newspaper can do to serve the community through quality journalism, it will do. Thankfully, in this case, the Justice has been able to serve the community on two fronts: both through its coverage of SAF, and through the return of a significant amount of money to the students whom we serve

Editor's Note: The Justice finalized its switch to Graphic Developments in March, 2006.