By JOSHUA SHARP, Dec. 1, 2006

The administrator who previously blocked the former Daily Trojan editor-in-chief’s re-election to the job said he would not veto the nomination again if it came to him after today’s special election.

Michael Jackson, vice president of student affairs, spoke during an open forum for Daily Trojan staff members in Topping Student Center yesterday.

More than 30 people attended, including Daily Trojan staff members, faculty from the School of Journalism and employees from Student Affairs.

“I’m clearly open to moving forward and talking about this,” Jackson said, calling for a “healthy respect for the process that is in place.”

Jackson sparked an outcry from students, faculty and alumni when he refused to present Zach Fox’s nomination to the Media Board for approval.

Fox was the fall 2006 editor-in-chief until he resigned in response to Jackson’s refusal. Daily Trojan staff members had re-elected Fox to a second term by a vote of 37-21.

The Media Board, an advisory committee composed of faculty and students, reviews all editor-in-chief nominees.

Jackson acknowledged some people were discussing the possibility of electing Fox as a write-in candidate during today’s special election, and said if Fox was re-elected again he would forward the nomination to the Media Board, provided Fox was willing to talk through their differences.

“The key is that Zach will be willing to sit with me and others and talk,” Jackson said.

“I am,” replied Fox, who was in the audience.

But some Daily Trojan staffers questioned the need for a second election.

“We voted once,” said City Editor Joanna Lin. “It was a legitimate election.”

“The decision I made can’t be undone,” Jackson said. He said today’s election must be held because other candidates not in the first election had submitted applications.

Jackson said he would review the results of today’s election on Monday.

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