New on-campus zine center could open winter term

Portland State’s Publications Board will bring its proposal for a zine center on campus to the Student Fee Committee (SFC) next month for budget approval.

The center, which would be located in room S-28 of Smith Memorial Student Union, would provide a space for students to work on and produce independent publications such as poetry books or small magazines.

The original proposal for the center was passed unanimously through PSU’s Publication Board in a June publications board meeting.

The center would function much like the Independent Publishing Resource Center, according to the original proposal presented by Judson Randall, PSU’s advisor for student publications. A computer, telephone and copier with networking abilities would be available for use at the center, which would be open four hours a day, the proposal states.

If approved, the center would be open to all PSU students for a nominal fee. Interested students would be required to undertake training on libel and copyright laws, as well as training on how to access and use the printer for printing publications.

Training would be provided by the center, the proposal states. Each student that completes training would then be given a login in order to use the center’s copier and connect to the university network.

The current outline for the budget would allocate enough funds to hire a center manager. Each student would be allowed to make 250 four-page copies per term that would be paid for by student fees, according to proposal.

The publications board is asking the SFC for $1,682 annually to pay for the copier. The center would charge eight cents per copy or eight dollars per term to each student. The center manager position would cost $420 a month or $3,780 per year, according to the proposal.

At a participation rate of 100 students per term, the center would carry an $8,136 total annual cost, the proposal states.

If the SFC grants funding, the center could open as soon as winter term.