Lunds universitets studentkårer (Lus) capital is petering out. As a consequence the unions are expected to decide about cutbacks on Monday. Among other things the Lus’ Board of Directors suggests that the number of editors at Lundagård becomes two instead of three.
The session on Monday with Lus is about how the unions should manage the decreasing joint capital. The severe economic situation means a cutback on the number of employees within the organization of Lus will be discussed. Among other things a decision has to be made whether one of the editor positions at the magazine Lundagård have to disappear.
According to Clara Lundblad, Board Member at Lus, it is about the organization and its lack of money.
“The economic results of Lundagård have been bad for a long time. The ambition during the last period has been to go break even. But the Board of Directors at Lus has not succeeded. That is why we have to lower the expenses.”
But to increase the press subsidies, for instance, was not an alternative?
“No. This question belongs to the unions and so far the interest has been low.”
A cutback is suggested 2015
If the proposal becomes reality, two instead of three editor positions will be advertised in the fall of 2015. However, there is also the possibility that an editor position disappears in the fall of 2014 already. This would probably lead to the assistant editor having to quit.
“But the Board of Directors recommend to keep three editors the next fiscal year and advertise two positions in the fall of 2015,” says Clara Lundblad.
Lundagård doesn’t fullfil its assignment
Lundagård changed from one to two editors in 2003, when the workload became too much for one person to carry. During the fall 2010 the fulltime positions were extended to also include one web editor. If the suggestion is accepted the web version and the paper version should get one editor each. Sam Leissner Vive, on the Board of Directors at Lus, thinks that the journalism of Lundagård has to be discussed.
“My opinion is that the unions don’t think Lundagård fulfills its assignment – many odd things are happening within the University, but you never get to read about this in the magazine,” he says.
In what way will it be different if the unions decide to reduce the number of editors with one?
“It would probably not be better, but I don’t think anyone is crying over fewer internal articles critical towards nations and unions,” says Sam Leissner Vive.
Clara Lundblad sighs when she hears what he’s said.
“It is his wording. This is nothing like an official standpoint neither for me nor the Lus’ Board of Directors.” Normally all the documents for the session should be sent out one week ahead. First thing on Friday afternoon the unions received the missive about the cutback on the number of editor services.
“I don’t know why this happened. You have to ask the presidium,” says Sam Leissner Vive.
Is it not important that documents will be sent out on time?
“Yes, absolutely.”
Text: Sebatian Hagberg
Translation: Lars Jansson
