CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE BEAT PUBLICATION

(The Official Student Publication of Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa)

ARTICLE 1
DECLARATION OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Section 1. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall be the official student publication of the Kolehiyo
ng Lungsod ng Lipa (KLL).
Section 2. THE BEAT PUBLICATION is independent and autonomous in its functions from
the KLL administration, faculty, staffs, the Student Executive Council (SEC) and all co-
curricular organizations within and outside the college. The student members shall, however, be
guided by the student policies of the College.
Section 3. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall be published weekly or monthly and have special
issues, occasional papers, wall news, literary and art folios, and other form of mass
communications, subject to the availability of funds.
Section 4. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall practice campus press freedom through other
platforms and venture on effective ways to exercise freedom of expression through the use of
internet and spoken demonstrations.
Section 5. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall establish an office at the school premises.
Section 6. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall actively participate in national press conventions
and organizations, like the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and School Press Advisers
Movement Inc., or any other organizations geared towards the development of a progressive,
pro-Filipino, pro-student campus press and alternative media (pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of
Press Conferences/Training Seminars, Rule IX, Campus Journalism Act of 1991).
Section 7. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall serve as the publication of students, informing
the KLL community on the development of the student. It shall also serve as the medium for
committed and independent student opinion on international, national and community issues,
free from prior censorship, to motivate students to actively participate in the positive
transformation of the Philippine society in general and the university in particular.
Section 8. THE BEAT PUBLICATION Editorial Board and Staff shall exercise freedom of
expression that carries within the corresponding duties and obligation stated in Republic Act
7079 and in the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and its laws. Corollary, it shall
respect the rights and privileges of other parties equally protected by the constitution and its
laws, affording the same right of reputing and replying to adverse criticism or comment to the
printed later than the issue subsequent to the publication of the articles in question.
Section 9. THE BEAT PUBLICATION Editorial Staff shall conduct seminars and workshops,
at least quarterly, on campus journalism, press management and other related endeavors to
develop skills of young affiliates and recreate functionality necessary for strategic management
and print efficiency.
Section 10. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall actively follow the Campus Journalism Act of
1991 otherwise known as Republic Act 7079 to protect itself and its qualified members or staff
from exploitation, abolition and non-recognition.
Section 11. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall be an open avenue for students to express, as
well as an open publication for every student willing to participate as member or staff.
Section 12. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall be managed by the students only. It shall
constitute undergraduate students who are qualified and interested provided that they qualify the
assessment examinations and interviews during the beginning of the academic year (In pursuant
to Art. XII, Sec. 1 & 2 of this constitution).
 ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Section 1. For a better understanding of this Constitution and By-Laws, terms which are used
herein are hereby defined.
a. School – An institution for learning in the elementary, secondary or tertiary level
composed of the studentry, administration, faculty and non-faculty personnel;

b. Student publication – The issue of any printed material that is independently published
by, and which meets the needs and interests of the studentry.

c. Print – a type of traditional media published in paper form to spread articles related to
current events and happenings.

d. Student journalist – Any bona fide student enrolled for the current semester or term, who
passed or met the qualification and standards of the editorial board. He must likewise
maintain a satisfactory academic standing;

e. Editorial board – In the tertiary level, the editorial board shall be composed of student
journalists who have qualified in screening and examinations. In the case of elementary
and high school levels, the editorial board shall be composed of a duty appointed faculty
adviser, the editor who qualified and a representative of the Parent-teacher Association,
who will determine the editorial policies to be implemented by the editor and staff
members of the student publication concerned.

At the tertiary level, the editorial board may include a publication adviser at the option of
its members.

f. Editorial policies – A set of guidelines by which student publication is operated and

managed, taking into account pertinent laws as well as the school administration’s
policies. The said guidelines shall determine the frequency of publications, the manner of
selecting articles and features and other similar matters.

g. Technical Staff – Members of the publication who are in-charge of the processing of arts,
photography, graphics, lay-out and the other technical preparation for print purposes.

h. Affiliationship – The transition period of an applicant undergoing training whose

membership is still uncertain.
 ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND PRIVILEGES

Section 1. Publication membership shall follow hiring procedures, affiliation and signing of
pledge of servitude for official merit. Once merited as part of the publication (after final
adjudication), a member is entitled to benefits in accordance to his service and commitment.
Section 2. (1) Senior members shall renew their pledge of servitude as student journalists in
order to continue as part of the publication. Retention of regular membership shall require a non-
failing grade point, provided by a copy of evaluated grade form, and a certified enrollment load
slip for the opening term.
(2) In the event where a publication member has failed academic standing, he/she shall be given
a chance to enjoy the privileges only if he/she pledges to maintain a better GPA for the next
term. Consecutive failures shall not terminate a member but shall be subject to probationary
measures based on Editorial Board discretion.
Section 3. A comprehensive pledge of servitude at the beginning of the first term during the
incoming academic school year shall be prepared as contract to ensure membership commitment.
The pledge shall include membership constitution, policies and guidelines, and office rules and
regulations. Regular membership of all applicants and senior members shall proceed pursuant to
the management set by the Editorial Board.
Section 4. Any conscious distortion of facts of the grade requirement of an applicant or a staff
member is a ground for automatic disqualification, even if he/she has successfully assumed
position in the publication. Applicants, the Editorial Board and Staff, including those appointed
by the Editor-in-Chief, may terminated on the following grounds:
a. Expiration of terms (Section 5);

b. Conscious falsification of qualification requirements;

c. Decision of the Editorial Board, citing unfavorable acts of commission and omission on

the part of the member in question;

d. Grave violation of the university rules and regulations;

e. Disappearance without notice for twenty (20) working days;

f. Voluntary resignations approved and accepted by the Editorial Board; and,

g. Expulsion from the university.

Section 5. Expiration of term for members of the publication shall only be applicable to all
graduating students. However, if a member seeks to join a particular organization under the
administrative umbrella (e.g. Student Executive Council, HAKDAW Dance Troupe, and ROTC),
his/her membership shall automatically be terminated under, (a) Expiration of Term, Section 4.
Members who qualified for graduation shall transpire right after he/she has officially graduated.
Section 6. Probationary status shall follow specified publication policies and guidelines, and
office rules and regulations set by the Editorial Board.
Section 7. Members, whose membership are terminated within the semester, shall refund the
entire benefit and privilege he/she has received on that semester. Immediately, right after
terminations, the Managing Editor and Business Manager shall tender a letter outlining the
liabilities of the member terminated.
 ARTICLE IV
THE PUBLICATION EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF
Section 1. The publication shall have an Editorial Board and Staff to serve as backbone of THE
BEAT PUBLICATION. It shall consist of the: Editor-in-Chief; the Associate Editor; the
Managing Editor, the News Editor, the Features Editor; the Online Editor; the Graphics Web,
Arts, Photography Unit Editor; the Business Manager; and, the Staff Secretary. The remaining
members shall comprise the Editorial Staff.
Section 2. The Editorial Board shall exercise the primary power of decision-making and shall set
the direction of the paper for the whole Editorial term.
Section 3. The Staff Secretary and other appointed positions are made official by the concurrent.
Section 4. The Editor-in-Chief shall prepare the Editorial policy in consultation with the Editorial
Board. Further, the Editor-in-Chief shall have the following function:
a. Prepares the agenda and presides over the regular meetings;

b. Oversees proper management of the Editorial term in consultation with the adviser;

c. Copyedits all articles and checks all outputs for publication;

d. Prepares the budget work and plan the editorial term together with the Managing Editor,

and Business Manager in consultation with the adviser;

e. Implements appropriations, planning for logistics, subscriptions, operational expenses,

and other matters financial in nature;

f. Reserves the right to fill the positions in the preceding section as he/she deems fit in

consultation with the Editorial Board.

Section 5. The Associate Editor shall serve as the Public Relations Officer and act as internal and
external liaison.
a. The Associate Editor, for internal liaison, shall be the official THE BEAT
PUBLICATION representative for meetings and audiences with the Student Executive
Council (SEC), College Administration and all other student organizations or institution
within the college. He/she shall assume the responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief in the
absence of the latter. Further, he/she shall supervise overall paper production and other
technical aspect of publishing;
 b. The Associate Editor, for external liaison, shall be the official THE BEAT
PUBLICATION representative for meetings and audiences outside the college, with
local, national or international institutions or organizations pursuant to Article 1, Section
6.
Section 6. The Managing Editor shall have the following responsibilities:
a. Directly supervises the day-to-day operations of the publication and reports to the Editor-
in-Chief;
b. Monitors all materials, acquisition of the publication, and prepares a corresponding
semester inventory report;
c. In the absence of the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor, the Managing Editor fills in
and takes over the responsibilities of the aforementioned;
d. Keeps the staff on schedule, created and enforces deadlines;
e. Prepares the budget work plan for the Editorial term together with the Business Manager,
in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief and the adviser;
f. Sets and implements, policies and procedures used by the publication’s editors, news
writers, feature writers, photographers, graphic designers, layout artists, cartoonists, and
web content developers; and,
g. Oversees the hiring process.

Section 7. The News Editor shall write news articles, shall coordinate with the news reporters,
and the campus correspondents. The News Editor edits and verifies news articles and press
releases. In the absence of the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, and Managing Editor, the News
Editor takes over the responsibilities of the aforementioned.
Section 8. The Features Editor shall write feature articles, screens and edits contributions for the
publication. He/she shall man the features section.
Section 9. The Graphics, Web, Arts, Photography Unit Head shall facilitate the functions of his
constituents especially in graphics, illustrations, photography, webpage designs, and layout.
Section 10. The Business Manager shall have the following responsibilities:
a. Prepares the budget work plan for the Editorial term in consultation with the Editor-in-
Chief and the adviser;
b. Oversees day-to-day financial report of the publication;
c. Gives a thorough report of the financial status of the publication every meeting;
 d. Reads the honoraria of the staff every after four issues of the paper and on the special
releases of the publication (i.e., Handurawan, Magazine, and Dibuho); and,
e. Prepares the financial reports at the end of the every semester of his/her tenure.

Section 11. The News Writers shall monitor and write news-worthy events, and file the
investigative reports pertaining to activities in the school and development in the local and
national scene.
Section 12. The Feature Writers shall be in charge of writing feature articles on local, national,
international issues, or any desired topic relevant to the university and the community.
Section 13. The Artists/Cartoonists shall illustrate the art requirements of the publication. The
immediate editor (Graphics, Web, Arts, and Photography Unit Head) shall verify the facts to be
printed before publication.
Section 14. The Photojournalists shall take photographs of significant events or photos related to
journalism as well as the documentation of College events and THE BEAT PUBLICATION
related activities. He/she shall coordinate with the reporters during news legging or news writing
and video documentations.
Section 15. The Graphic Designers shall create graphic representation of the articles, info
graphics, and other digital design requirements of the publication.
Section 16. The Layout Artists shall draft the articles, photos, illustrations, and info graphics
based on design principles: including color; shape and balance; and, layout principles.
Section 17. The Web Content Developers shall facilitate the official webpages of the paper in
terms of updates, and other related activities as well as the maintenance of the computer units in
the office. They shall be in charge of editing video presentations for online publishing.
Dismantling of computer units and reformatting them shall be done only with the prior
knowledge and approval of the Editorial Board. He/she must secure password for each computer
and Wi-Fi connection.
Section 18. The Circulation Manager shall oversee the arrival of the paper from the printing
press. He/she facilitate the distribution of papers to the students, offices, and external campuses,
if necessary.
Section 19. (1) Any appointed position under the discretion of the Editorial Board shall take
effect after announcement. These positions are:
a. Online Editor

b. Secretary

c. Assistant Graphics, Web, Arts, and Photography Unit Head

(2) The appointed members of the Editorial Board shall have voting rights only upon the
approval of the concurrent.
(3) The Online Editor shall be the immediate editor of the Web Content Developers. He/she shall
supervise all online engagements and publications (e.g. website, and social media accounts). In
his/her absence, the Graphics, Web, Arts, and Photography Unit Head shall take his/her
responsibilities.
(4) The Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:
a. He/she shall take down the minutes of all regular Editorial and Staff meetings. She shall
read the previous minutes prior to the meeting proper;
b. He/she shall be the official informant of any internal and external activity to the Editorial
Staff or to any third person;
c. He/she shall be responsible in making letters, notes, or reminders if there is a need for
such; and,
d. He/she shall be the right hand of the Managing Editor and Business Manager in any
matter or transaction financial in nature. In the absence of both, he/she shall be the
representative to budget hearings or any meetings concerning finances.
(5) The Assistant Graphics, Web, Arts, and Photography Unit Head shall supervise all
responsibilities concerning the unit, in the absence of the immediate Head.
 ARTICLE V
SELECTION OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
Section 1. THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall annually conduct a selection of editors who will
constitute the creation of the new Editorial Board for the next academic year.
Section 2. The selection shall undergo a thorough process led and organized by the Selection
Panel. It shall be comprised of all graduating publication members, and the adviser(s). The role
of the Selection Panel is to collect and scrutinize the recommendations and applications for
editorship during the first week of selection. Selection Panel roles further suggests:
a. It shall thoroughly discuss the qualifications of applicants and recommended staffers;
and,
b. Shall be responsible for the 40% influence in selecting the next Editorial Board.

Section 3. The selection shall be conducted for a span of one month prior to the final academic
examinations week during the last term of the academic year.
Section 4. The editorship shall be open to all Editorial Staff members who serves for three (3)
consecutive terms equivalent to one and one half (1 ½) years, excluding summers, in the
publication. Qualifications are expanded further:
a. Must be a bona fide student of the College until the next academic year and must be a
regular staff members of THE BEAT PUBLICATION during the selection process;
and,
b. Should otherwise be recommended by the concurrent Editorial Board.

Section 5. An elected editor who failed in his/her academic standing, violated university policies,
and dropped out of classes during his/her term of office shall undergo probationary status or
termination, subject to publication rules. It shall be acted accordingly upon the knowledge of the
Editorial Staff.
Section 6. (1) The Selection Panel shall categorize recommended staffer/applicant according to
his/her skills and expertise in a specific position and competition with others, and shall inform
the Editorial Staff the qualified applicants.
(2) The Screening Panel shall finalize the names of the applicants and recommended staffers, and
shall give a date and schedule for the Editorial Board elections.
(3) Voters of the Editorial Board elections should be a current member of the publication which
should comprise half of the Editorial Staff plus one and shall only vote once.
Section 7. (1) In electing a nominee/applicant to a particular position, the votes from the editorial
staff comprise 60% of the total selection and election process.
(2) The Selection Panel’s decision comprises 40% of the total turnout, which is expanded further
to:
a. Commitment to Duty (30)%

b. Skills and Background (30)%

c. Leadership and Stronghold (20)%

d. Management and Will (20)%

To get the total percentage of votes for each nominee/applicant, multiply the qualifications (total
of 100%) by 40%. The product/result shall be added to the 60% of the total number of votes
divided by the actual number of voters multiplied by 100, to be multiplied by 60%.
Example solution:
Variables:
A= Total (%) of qualifications
A=D B X 100 X 60% = E
B= Total No. of Votes
40% C
C= Total No. of Voters
D + E = Overall (%) of votes
D= Total (%) of Selection Panel
E= Total (%) of Editorial Staff Votes
Note: Convert percent (%) to decimal
Section 8. The tabulators, which consists the Selection Panel, shall uphold transparency and
should reveal real-time results.
Section 9. The result of the Screening Panel’s selection and election process shall follow
consistent bearing and shall be deemed irrevocable, unless if unexpected events arise which may
need appropriate measures done by the newly elected Editorial Board.
Section 10. There shall be seven (7) editors with voting rights, especially during instances where
publication decision-making is needed, as part pf the Editorial Board, but appointed members
shall also have the right to vote in pursuant to Art. V Sec. 18, paragraph 2.
 ARTICLE VI
ADVISORSHIP
Section 1. THE BEAT PUBLICATION is entitled to have at least one (1) adviser who has
background or experience in journalism.
Section 2. The Editorial Board has the right to choose the publication’s adviser/s during their
term of office. A recommended list must be presented by the Editorial Board to the staff.
Section 3. In the event that the Editorial Board is not in favor of the adviser chosen by the
administration, upon decision of the latter, they could pass another list. The Editorial Board must
present justifiable reason to substantiate.
Section 4. The adviser/s shall be competent writer/s and must be a member of the college faculty.
Section 5. The adviser/s must be responsible for:
a. Technical Adviser- He/she must supervise the technical aspects of any news print or
publication, without censoring content necessary for the interest of the students.
b. The adviser/s must support every endeavor of the student publication.

Section 6. The adviser/s may be entitled to receive compensation, for the duties he/she has
rendered, to be decided upon by the Editorial Board.

ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular meetings of the Editorial Board and Staff shall be held at the office of the
publication at the school campus. The date and the time shall be determined and agreed upon
mutually by all concerned.
Section 2. Special meetings for all members may be called by the Editor-in-Chief, or by the
majority of the Editorial Board, whenever necessary.
Section 3. Notice of the time and place of the meetings shall be given by the Secretary,
personally or by announcement, through mobile notifications, and other means. These
announcements must state briefly their purpose, and no other business shall be acted upon at
such meeting except by the consent of the majority of the members present.
Section 4. Each member of the Editorial Board shall be entitled to one vote, and they may vote
either in person or in proxy, which must be done in writing and signed by the particular member
given by the proxy.
Section 5. The quorum for any meeting of the Editorial Board shall consist of the simple
majority, or fifty percent (50%) of the total members plus one, and a majority of such quorum
shall decide any question at any meeting, except when the Editorial Board requires an
affirmative vote of the greater proportion.
Section 6. (1) The order of business for every regular meeting shall be as follows:
a. Proof of the presence of the quorum;

b. Reading the minutes of the previous meeting and the action taken, thereof;

c. Presentation of the agenda by the Editor-in-Chief;

d. Deliberation of unfinished discussion;

e. Financial report; and,

f. Scheduling the next meeting and adjournment.

(2) The order of business in any meeting may be changed by a vote of a simple majority of the
members present.
Section 7. Any member of the Editorial Board and Staff who incurs three (3) consecutive
unexcused absences or a total of six (6) absences during his term of office shall be liable for
sanctions to be agreed upon the deliberation of the Editorial Board.

ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISION
Section 1. Any amendment in this constitution and by-laws shall be made effective immediately
after all members of the Editorial Board have signed in.
Section 2. This constitution and by-laws shall be published in English. Any version in any
language and dialect shall be patterned after the English version. In the case of conflict
interpretation, the original English version shall prevail.
 ARTICLE IX
TRANSITORY PROVISION
Section 1. The first qualifying examinations and interviews under this constitution shall be
preferably held on a Saturday on the first month of classes. The dates for qualifying
examinations thereat shall be scheduled.
Section 2. Passers of the Qualifying Exam and Interview shall serve two (2) months as affiliates
and trainees. The Editorial Board shall determine whether or not the trainees are qualified to
become members of the Editorial Staff.
Section 3. The names of the trainees will appear on the staff box if they have successfully passed
the evaluation of the Editorial Board and Adviser.

ARTICLE XII
EFFECTIVITY
Section 1. This Constitution and By-laws of THE BEAT PUBLICATION shall take effect
immediately once approved by the Editorial Board, the publication Adviser/s, the concerned
College President and Vice-Presidents.

Noted by: