It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since the shutdown of college radio station KUSF 90.3 FM at University of San Francisco. As I prepared for my visit to see KUSF-in-Exile (aka San Francisco Community Radio) on Sunday, I spent some time looking through our coverage of the whole KUSF saga. It’s been quite the journey as KUSF supporters fought the station sale, launched an online radio station, and applied for a new low power FM (LPFM) license.
WRVU Friends and Family to Launch LPFM in Nashville
Meanwhile, we heard news from WRVU Friends and Family this week about its plans to bring a bit of the old WRVU-FM back to Nashville, Tennessee via WXNA-LP. The (now closed) LPFM licensing window has been a boon for some of these college radio-related groups who have dreams of returning to terrestrial radio.
Fort Valley State University Gives up its LPFM in Order to Gain Full Power FM License
LPFM can also be a stepping stone to full power, as we saw with news that Fort Valley State University will soon operate a full power FM station after divesting itself of WFVS-LP.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges to Become License Holder for WHWS-LP
And, as I reported in LPFM Watch yesterday, paperwork has been filed so that Hobart and William Smith Colleges can become the official license holder for student-run LPFM radio station WHWS-LP.
Eastern Oklahoma State College to shift its Online Station to Full Power FM
Eastern Oklahoma State College plans to launch a full power FM station on campus. McAlester News Capital reports that the 25,000 watt KWLB 93.1 FM will launch on January 29. The formerly online-only Mountaineer Radio will air “a ‘Best Mix’ of music programming, including Top 40, pop, adult contemporary, light classic rock and today’s cross-over country music,” according to McAlester News Capital. Students in the school’s Mass Communication program will play a significant role at the station.
WRAS Battle Continues with Supporters Arguing that GPB has Concealed Records
According to Creative Loafing, some WRAS DJs are accusing Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) of violating open records laws in reference to the WRAS/GPB deal. As Radio Survivor readers may recall, Georgia State University made a secret deal with GPB last year in which GPB programming would replace student programming over WRAS-FM during daytime hours. Creative Loafing writes,
According to WRAS promotions director Hannah Frank, GPB officials have responded to open records requests related to the GPB-GSU deal with an ‘uncooperative’ attitude — particularly through printing computer files rather than providing digital copies of documents. She also accused Ryan of skirting open records requests by using her personal email address to conduct official GPB business…WRAS deal opponents are now considering asking Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens to look into potential legal violations of the state’s Open Records Act.”
Stations Up for Awards at IBS Convention
Several stations have been publicizing their Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) nominations, including KCWU-FM at Central Washington University, which is up for 10 awards, WPPJ-AM at Point Park University, which is competing for several awards, and San Diego State University’s KCR, which is up for 6 awards. Winners will be announced at IBS’ convention in New York City in March.
WXYC Dodges Funding Bullet
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s college radio station WXYC is surely feeling more secure after learning that its funding would not be frozen. According to the Daily Tarheel,
At Tuesday night’s Student Congress Oversight and Advocacy Committee meeting, committee chairman David Joyner proposed bills to freeze the funding for WXYC, UNC’s student-run radio station, and the Student Library Advisory Board. After working with congressional appointees to WXYC and the Student Library Advisory Board during fall 2014, Joyner decided to pursue steps to freeze funding for both groups because of the apparent lack of attendance at their respective organization meetings. But both organizations were found to be in compliance. Because of this, the bills were voted unfavorably and will be retracted by Joyner…The apparent issues were due to miscommunication from appointees, committee members and organizations, and have been resolved, Joyner said. Senior Grant Bisher, WXYC’s music director, attended Tuesday’s meeting and brought copies of minutes and emails proving that WXYC was in compliance.”
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