University of Virginia Library

Newspaper Faces Possible
Loss Of Financial Support

By Fred Heblich
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

The William and Mary Vice President
for Student Affairs, J. Williford Lambert,
denied, yesterday reports that funds were
being cut off from the college newspaper,
"The Flat Hat."

Reliable sources had claimed that
funds for the paper would be curtailed in
response to the printing of alleged
obscenities by the student newspaper.
The Publications Committee and the
Board of Student Affairs had exonerated
the newspaper from the obscenity charges and
recommended that no action be taken against
the editor of "The Flat Hat."

Yesterday afternoon, Vice President
Lambert said, "I have heard a lot people say
than funds should be cut off, but no definite
administrative steps have been taken yet."

The college newspaper is funded partially
through the Student Activity Fee, and the
portion of the fee it gets is determined by the
Board of Student Affairs. The budget request
of "The Flat Hat" will be reviewed next fall by
the board.

Mr. Lambert did not rule out thy possibility
that the situation might change in the future.
"Someone might bring up a proposal (to cut off
funds) before next fall," the vice President
stated.

William and Mary President, Davis Y.
Paschall, was unavailable for comment.

Staff members of "The Flat Hat" said they
knew nothing of the report that their funds
would be cut. Approximately one half of the
newspaper's revenues come from funding
through the Board of Student Affairs, a sum of
$12,000.

One staff member said it was
"inconceivable" that funds would be curtailed
because of "the overwhelming vote (13-5) of
the Board of Student Affairs" in favor of
accepting the Publications Committee's
recommendation that no action be taken in the
obscenity case.

The decision of the board has yet to be
reviewed by President Paschall, although vice
president Lambert said the president does not
necessarily have to review decisions made by
the board.

One member of "The Flat Hat" claimed that
even if funds were cut off next year, the
newspaper could "probably" continue to
operate off its advertising revenues.