I’m pretty fixated on my radio station field trips, with #100 approaching soon. Be sure to listen to the most recent Radio Survivor Podcast to hear about my 98th radio station field trip report, focusing on Brooklyn College Radio station WBCR. For the next few weeks we will be counting up to 100. In the meantime, here’s a recap of some recent college radio news. Sadly, there are a few unfortunate college radio stories; with news of a station that will shut down as well as some funding cuts.
Hastings College Radio Station to Go off the Air
NTV reports that Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska is going off the air, as the college has decided to not renew the license for KFKX-FM. According to NTV, “KFKX will be going off air this summer. The decision was made not to renew the station’s FCC license after a beloved radio instructor announced his departure. Now the college will make way for a new visual media program. The curriculum will incorporate art classes to enhance student learning.” NBC Nebraska writes that, “According to the Journalism and Media Arts Director Chad Power said the lack of listeners and a dwindling industry with fewer jobs played a part in shutting down the station. Power said the equipment will still be used for podcasts and broadcasting via web stream, but the rest of the resources will be used to focus on other media.”
Radio Programs to be Eliminated at Northwest College in Wyoming
According to Wyoming Public Media, “The Board of Trustees at Northwest College in Powell voted…to eliminate the college’s journalism program, along with…the college’s radio and TV program as well as a business program dealing with caring for horses.” The Casper Star Tribune reports that, “Farrier Business Management, Journalism and Film/Radio/TV will no longer accept new students, the school’s board of trustees decided Monday. The programs will finish next year so that current students can complete their degrees. The cuts will save the school about $2.6 million.” The Powell Tribune provides even more details on the decision, including that the board voted 5 to 1 to eliminate the film/radio/TV program. The current program focuses on radio production. It’s unclear what this means for the student radio station KNWT (aka Trapper FM at 89.1 FM).
Student Radio Station Loses Student Funding at Eastern New Mexico University
KRQE reports that, “Now some students are upset after the student fees board made the decision not to give any of their $1.6 million budget to a handful of student media programs. ‘Three organization [sic] within the fine art departments and those were the only three organizations, were cut, that is theater and dance, they were cut by 4% and The Chase which is our student newspaper was cut completely, as was Houndwaves, our student radio,’ said Emma Pennypacker, editor for The Chase.” Houndwaves is an online station at Eastern New Mexico University.
New Zealand College Radio History
This documentary from 1987 is an amazing glimpse into student radio history in New Zealand. Taken from the awesome-looking series Radio with Pictures, the “Student Radio” episode features interviews from college radio participants from all over New Zealand and also gives some perspective on the influence of student radio on music culture at the time.
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More College Radio News
Journalism
Inside Look at How Rutgers Student Interviewed Obama (Asbury Park Press)
The interview was recorded at college radio station WRSU and later aired over the station
Radio Drama
Students at U of M Recreate the “Golden Age” of Radio – Live on Stage (Michigan Radio)
New Stations
Boston Launching Community News Station (Boston Patch)
New LPFM WBCA Boston Neighborhood Network is in time-share with Lasell College and Global Ministries. See Matthew’s post on Boston Neighborhood Network.
Now, a Student-run Internet-Based Radio Station “Radio G” (Times of India)
Radio History, Punk History, and Hip Hop Radio History
UCLA Professor Talk about Punk Music and College Radio past at KUOR (Daily Bruin)
Maximum RocknRoll Crowdfunding to Create Ultimate Punk Archive (Radio Survivor)
KEXP’s Digital Nirvana: Radio Station Bringing Vast Album Collection into New Era, Comments Included (GeekWire)
Many of the LPs are from KEXP’s college radio past as University of Washington station KCMU
Priceless Radio: Stretch and Bobbito (Taipei Times)
More about the seminal college radio hip hop show
Awards
LCCC Radio Station Wins Awards at IBS (Wilkes Barre Times Leader)
Northeast Students Win 28 Collegiate Media Awards (The ViewPoint)
