It’s hard to believe that it’s September already and that the fall semester is now well underway on most college campuses. Student radio stations are recruiting new members, hosting events, and preparing for several fall college radio conferences, including CBI’s convention in Seattle and CMJ’s Music Marathon in New York City (both are in late October). Changes are also being announced at several stations, including new partnership deals. Here are some highlights of this week’s college radio news:
Widener University Gives Back its FCC License
As I reported yesterday, WDNR 89.5 FM is no more, after Widener University (Chester, Pennsylvania) opted to have the station’s FCC license cancelled. A few years back the station celebrated its 40th anniversary, although its radio history is even older, with a carrier current station launching in the 1960s. I’ve seen a handful of high schools and colleges turn back or opt not to renew their low power class D FM licenses over the years, including Ohio Wesleyan’s WSLN, Paul Smith’s WPSA, Central College’s KCUI, and high school radio station KHKY in Alaska. In one interesting case, Reed College had its license cancelled and then had a change of heart. After filing a Petition for Reconsideration, the license was restored and then eventually donated to Common Frequency. Now, a new community radio station, X-Ray FM, is using Reed’s old signal in Oregon.
Boston College Radio Field Trips Wrap Up with Visit to Northeastern University Radio Station WRBB
Well, I finally did it… I completed my reports on my visits to five different college radio stations in the Boston area. My final post covers my trip to Northeastern University’s student radio station WRBB. Although its FM signal doesn’t get too far off campus, the station is super involved with its campus and will be hosting its 25th annual block party this Saturday, September 6th.
WAER Sports Broadcasters Lose Dedicated Broadcasting Box at Carrier Dome
Syracuse.com is reporting that sports broadcasters from Syracuse University’s public radio station WAER are losing their prime box seating at home games. In order to make room for more luxury suites, they have been forced to move into a shared press box space. According to the article, “WAER’s previous box will be turned into a ‘University Suite’ that will be utilized by Chancellor Kent Syverud and others from SU…The shift fits a national trend of shifting press seating to less desirable areas in order to create higher-priced luxury suites.” Although WAER is a pubic radio station, students work in the news and sports departments.
WUSF Partners with Student Radio Station Bulls Radio
University of South Florida’s public and student radio stations have forged a new relationship, according to a press release. Public station WUSF plans to offer internships and mentorships to students at Bulls Radio and will broadcast the student-run radio station’s programming over the WUSF HD3 channel. Bulls Radio will continue to broadcast online and over 1620 AM on campus as well. Bulls Radio is not new to HD, as it previously broadcast over the HD channel of Tampa community radio station WMNF.
Radio K Celebrates 21st Birthday, Even Though it’s Actually a Century Old!
University of Minnesota’s college radio station Radio K is about to celebrate 21 years as a student-run station. In a profile in CMJ’s On the Air column, Radio K’s Program Director Nailah Taman explains that although Radio K has a 100+ year legacy, this year’s 21st anniversary celebrates two decades of student-run programming. Taman says, “Our AM signal started broadcasting around 101 years ago and our 770AM signal is actually one of the longest running signals in the country. We beat out UW-Madison by a few hours or something ridiculous. But back then it was just used for morse code football games and stuff. 770AM was a Top 40 station for a bit, and 1993 is when it changed to Radio K.” In honor of the anniversary, Radio K will be hosting some music events and will be pressing a limited edition LP of in-studio performances.
WSUW Profile on CBI Blog
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater’s student-run radio station WSUW-FM gets the spotlight from the CBI blog this week. Station Manager Andrew Manthey shares some history (the station is nearly 50 years old) and talks about the time he did an all-vinyl show from 2 to 4am.
Catawba College Foundation Hopes to Purchase Another AM Radio Station
The Salisbury Post reports that the Catawba College Foundation is in talks to purchase the license for news radio station WSTP-AM in Salisbury, North Carolina. By early last week, an agreement had been reached, which still awaits FCC approval. According to WBTV, “WSTP will continue its broadcasts, offering an expanded platform for Catawba College students majoring in business or communication arts and hoping to pursue related careers.”
Radio Survivor readers will recall that in May, the Catawba College Foundation announced that it planned to purchase the license for another radio station, WSAT-AM in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Salisbury Post writes, “With the start of the 2014-2015 academic year, Catawba launched a sports communication concentration that it plans to grow into an academic major. This new concentration will be an option to students pursuing an undergraduate degree in communication arts… Students pursuing this concentration will be learning to do play by play, interviews and features on student athletes. They will also be able to tap into resources offered by collaborations with the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (NSSA), now located on Catawba’s campus, WSAT, and now WSTP.”
College Radio Day is Coming… on October 3
The 4th annual College Radio Day is happening on Friday, October 3. According to an update from the organizers, this year’s event will include an hour-long special. Participating stations will have the option to play the pre-recorded program at 10am Pacific Time on October 3, making for a national College Radio Day simulcast. College Radio Day will also be pairing registered stations up with sister stations in order to co-produce programming to be aired on each station. More information and sign up details can be found on the College Radio Day website. The first College Radio Day in 2011 seems like only yesterday…
College Radio Station in Cayman Islands to Resume Broadcasts
Following some technical set-backs that took it off the air for 2 years, the International College of the Cayman Islands plans to resume radio broadcasts for its college radio station ICCI-FM within two weeks, according to Cayman 27. The 101.FM station should resume broadcasts by September 15.
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