Nexus became incorporated as its own society on March 22, 1999. Operated before that by the Camosun College Student Society, the newspaper now functions separately, complete with its own constitution, bylaws, elected student board, and paid CUPE staff.

The purpose of the society is:

To publish informative, analytical, and entertaining materials with focus on issues affecting Camosun College students. The society will strive to maintain current journalistic standards of truth, fairness, and accuracy.

Camosun students pay just over $85,000 in student fees towards the publication of Nexus (around $10 per year, per student) and revenues raised through selling ads and fundraising cover the remainder of the paper's operating costs.

A board of directors for the society is elected at an annual general meeting in April of each year. Up to six positions are available--president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and two directors-at-large. These individuals are responsible for maintaining the operational side of the society. They oversee the finances, policies and procedures, and staffing needs of the paper. They meet about once every two weeks. Vacancies during the year are filled through appointment by the remaining board members.

Contributors of the newspaper who attend our weekly meetings make up the editorial committee. This committee is responsible for decisions relating to the editorial side of the society. They meet weekly with the editors to provide advice and feedback on editorial content, ranging from writing and photography to design.

Membership in the Nexus Publishing Society is automatic to all Camosun students registered in at least one credited course and paying student fees. Members are eligible to run for board positions and vote at the annual general meeting, held every April.

Student newspapers have traditionally been created and promoted by student societies. The student council, however, has an inherent conflict of interest when operating a student paper. Even the most sincere councillor, when dealing with the newspaper's internal affairs, will be influenced by how he or she has been or could be treated in the newspaper's articles.



In order to function as an independent scrutinizer and reporter, a student newspaper must be kept free from interference and control by political or funding bodies. If either can be used to manipulate the editorial content or operation of the newspaper, newspapers cease to function as they should.



Autonomy does away with the conflict of interest, and leaves the newspaper free of fear of reprisal or harassment for the way it reports on the student society, or anything else.



Autonomy usually requires becoming a separately incorporated legal entity with a board of directors on which student council does not have a significant presence.



Most student newspapers, including Nexus, continue to receive student fees via a student society, which is usually the only body on campus permitted to collect revenue from the students for the purpose of supporting student services.



But some student newspapers have been able to collect student fees directly from the college or university.



Student newspapers throughout Canada have been progressively moving towards greater autonomy. Freedom of the press is enshrined in the Canadian Constitution and defended throughout the world. Should it not be defended just as much on student campuses?