The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper, will retain a professional journalist and a media-law attorney to advise its all-student editorial staff - one of several steps to be taken by the paper's editor in response to criticism over last spring's year-ending spoof issue.

Editor in Chief Fitz Vo, who issued an apology in the paper's first issue of the summer and again yesterday, the first day of fall classes, said he regretted the "obvious lapses in judgment" that permitted the publication of a sexually explicit photograph on the paper's front page and obscenity-laden remarks directed at a former Associated Students of UC Davis commission chair.

"We're trying now to show everyone that the spoof issue isn't what we are," Vo said. "We are trying to maintain professionalism in what we cover and how we write, and trying to strengthen our skills as journalists, writers and editors."

Vo advised the Campus Media Board, which oversees the Aggie and the student-run radio station KDVS, that, additionally, the Aggie will:

• take appropriate action against those responsible for the remarks directed at the former ASUCD commission chair
• publish all letters to the editor regarding the spoof issue
• conduct wider recruitment outreach to several student programs and organizations
• hold quarterly community forums
• undertake cultural ethics, diversity and sexual harassment training
• take advantage of such national training opportunities as the Associated College Press Convention and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Professional Development Workshop
• collaborate with the Media Board in defining the role of an "as-needed" journalism adviser. Vo said he envisioned a "go to" journalist who could be consulted on how best to cover issues of potential controversy.

While some of these actions were specified in direct response to the spoof issue, Vo indicated several were part of the incoming editorial staff's plans for increased professional development for the newspaper's student writers and editors.

He also welcomed the pending appointment of a journalist to fill an open seat on the Campus Media Board. "A person with experience in the field would benefit us as well as the Media Board," Vo said.

Media Board Chair Alice Hannam said the Aggie staff's actions "indicate the seriousness with which they're taking the directions of the Media Board." The board had found the paper violated multiple policies and procedures and, earlier this summer, it took appropriate personnel actions and directed Vo to adopt a range of remedies.

Hannam praised several proactive steps already taken by Vo, from the retention of a media-law specialist to exploratory conversations with a professional journalist, to arranging for sexual harassment training and taking advantage of professional conferences.

"We will continue to work in close collaboration with the Aggie throughout the year to implement all of the prescribed remedies and to incorporate fully both their specific intent and their spirit in our campus media," Hannam said.