Posted on 01/29/2009 4:24:04 PM PST by stan_sipple
Daily Nebraskan Editor-in-Chief Brian Anthony Hernandez resigned Wednesday night.
Hernandez, a senior news-editorial major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, had to forgo his position so that he could put more attention toward his classes.
“The Daily Nebraskan has always been important to me,” Hernandez said, “but my education is just as important, if not more.”
Earlier this semester, Hernandez found out he would be on academic probation at the university, and discussed the matter with DN General Manager Dan Shattil. Although Hernandez has a 3.12 cumulative GPA, this would be his second consecutive semester on academic probation.
“He self-disclosed that he was going to be on academic probation as soon as he found out,” said Eric Hamilton, chairman of the UNL Publications Board. “It was very good of him.”
The Daily Nebraskan Policy Handbook prohibits student employees from working on the publication if they are on academic probation for two or more consecutive semesters. On Jan. 16, the Publications Board agreed to a temporary suspension of the rules that would allow him to continue working, to last until Wednesday, when the board would have its general meeting.
“We just thought that it was an issue that the board should have the opportunity to take up,” Hamilton said.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the board unanimously accepted Hernandez’s verbal resignation.
During his college career, Herndandez has has served as a reporter, copy chief and editor-in-chief, a position he held since last August.
“My experience at the Daily Nebraskan is invaluable, and I acquired skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly benefit me when it comes time for me to join a nonstudent publication after I graduate,” Hernandez said.
However, Hernandez had to return to his No. 1 job as a student.
“Personal hardships prevented me from succeeding academically, and I want to get back on track,” he said. “This is the best way for me to do that.”
The Publications Board named Katie Steiner, the DN’s managing editor, as interim editor-in-chief. Next week the board will appoint a permanent editor-in-chief for the rest of the semester. Hamilton asked that anyone interested in the position call or e-mail him.
“We’re hoping to have this resolved soon,” he said. “(The DN will have) the same great things that UNL and the Lincoln community have come to expect from the DN.”
Hamilton said people should count on the paper to be up to its usual standard.
“I’m confident the Daily Nebraskan will continue to provide UNL with one hell of a newspaper,” Hernandez said. “It’s definitely in good hands.”
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