KCRX:keeping the "student" in student radio
ridget McLaughlin, Contributing Reporter
Station WHIL, the college radio station at Spring Hill, a Jesuit college in Mobile, Alabama is known as the "The home of classical music and fine arts programming on the Gulf Coast." At this school of 1500 undergraduate students, the 100,000 watt station affiliates with National Public Radio to air news and public affairs programming.
Regis' on-campus station, KRCX, is student-run and operates under a single watt. At first glance, one might think that KRCX is lagging behind a similarly small school with no license, little wattage, and no network affiliates.
However, although WHIL is licensed to the university, it operates under the direction of Gulf Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc., a non-profit community board. This means that authority is taken out of the hands of students and given to a board of working adults.
In fact, not a single student works at WHIL, according to Catt Sirten, General Manager of the station. "We're on the campus, but that's about it. All the people here are professionals."
KRCX Now
KRCX is completely student run, with a work-study staff of 12 undergraduate students and dozens of volunteer DJ's.
The station is completely funded by the University. It's not a club, but not really a department either. According to John Hickey, faculty advisor of KRCX, "KRCX is similar to the fitness center. It has a budget in order to provide a service to students."
Currently, KRCX has a very weak broadcasting signal, found at 93.9 FM, but they are working hard to make the technologies they do have stronger. The cable channel was updated in October by adding a filter so that the only thing listeners hear is clear, crisp KRCX.
ITS is presently working with Metro State University to learn about adding Windows Media Player to the station's streaming capabilities and has plans to add even more players. The station is also in the process of improving its website by making it easier to access and offering more content such as links to interviews or "basement sessions."
Expanded Broadcasting Options
College radio stations can be found on most campuses around the nation. In Colorado alone, there are 14 licensed college stations, according to http://www.radio-locator.com/.
At the present day, there are several varieties in which a college radio station can exist. One variety is a station that operates on a carrier current (running wires from the station into the dorms, or in Regis' case, the quad). This kind of station only serves the on-campus community and does not require a license because it's not broadcasting. KRCX fell into this category when it first began, back in the 60's.
But stations can broadcast without a license. This is the category that KRCX currently falls under. The station operates at 500mW and therefore doesn't require a license. "We don't need FCC recognition because our signal does not go 100 yards beyond campus boundaries," says Hickey.
Another category is a station with a LPFM (Low Powered FM) license. A LPFM station operates on anywhere from 10 to 100 watts and must be licensed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Right now, KRCX operates on a very low signal and has trouble reaching cars in the parking lots on campus. With a LPFM license, KRCX could stretch as far as downtown.
LPFM licenses have only been in existence since 2000. Before then, a college station's only option was to operate under a Class A or B license. Class A stations broadcast between 100 and 6,000 watts, while Class B stations operate between 6,000 and 50,000 watts. For example, Holy Cross University's WCHC broadcasts at 100 watts and has had their Class A license since 1989.
Yet another possibility for a station is to establish a contractual relationship with a conglomerate, like the radio giant Clear Channel, and share advertising revenues. Jesuit schools St. Louis University and Loyola New Orleans have both become affiliated with Clear Channel and therefore no longer have a student run station.
Several other Jesuit schools like Spring Hill, Loyola of Chicago, Fordham, and Xavier have all affiliated with NPR (National Public Radio). Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount have both teamed up with high powered AM stations in order to gain better resources and more programming options. All of these options allow for greater broadcasting capabilities, but less student involvement.
LPFMs
According to www.lpfm.ws, on January 27, 2000, the FCC issued a report establishing a low power FM radio service. The FCC established two classes of stations, 100 and 10 watt. LPFM stations were classified as non-commercial educational meaning they could only be licensed to educational and non-profit organizations. Individuals and commercial entities could not be the licensee of an LPFM station.
The establishment of LPFMs came about in response to Congress' passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which loosened radio ownership restrictions. The FCC recognized the potential for less local radio as a result of the act and created LPFMs specifically to augment that problem.
Since the passage of the act, the radio industry has undergone a "sweeping consolidation," according to a statement made by Susan Ness, Commissioner of the FCC, in 2001. "For an industry that for decades was marked by local ownership, entrepreneurship and small, family owned businesses, the recent emergence of two or three dominant national radio companies represents a fundamental transformation of this media industry."
What Could a LPFM License Mean For Regis?
Arne G'Schwind, professor of Communication, believes that Regis' own KRCX can do more for the Regis and North Denver community. "Regis needs to bring more ears to social justice, more ears to good music-If Regis really stands for diversity like it says it does-give those that don't have a voice a voice, give Regis an LPFM station. Help democratize radio broadcasting." G'Schwind is also on the programming committee for Ft. Collins community radio station KRFC.
"What an LPFM station could do here is really provide a forum, really get people to talk about issues," says G'Schwind.
Essentially, a LPFM license could put Regis on the local map. G'Schwind agrees, "It would increase the visibility, or rather, the audibility of Regis in Denver."
But more than that, an LPFM license and community based programming would open doors for students and North Denver community members. It would educate and encourage involvement in the community, on and off campus.
"Most media is owned by a handful of huge corporations. It's not their intention to inform listeners to make educated decisions regarding their country and community," says Marty Durlin, Station Manager of KGNU, a community station in Boulder, since 1987.
Durlin believes that local, independent radio is an essential tool for informed, educated citizens. "Community radio will tell you things you don't want to hear. It would be much easier to believe the President (of the United States) and the media because it's challenging to know the truth. Once you know, you're compelled to act," says Durlin.
Durlin is also concerned with the need for education through the airwaves. Something, she says, can't be heard on heavily commercialized stations.
"I think it (community programming) could have a profound impact in a university setting. It could educate students about the media and how to listen critically. For example, in the Iraqi war, we never heard a voice for peace, we just didn't hear it! Why are those points of view omitted?"
Radio has become increasingly monopolized as of late. Media in general is being questioned. Besides a select few watchdogs, there is little accountability.
"There's a big move towards consolidation (in radio)," says G'Schwind. "The de-regulation by the FCC in 1996 allowed Clear Channel, Trinity, (and other) huge companies to come in and take over. What does this mean? It means less and less diversity, the same voices, the same songs."
Clear Channel now owns 8 stations in Denver alone. "Denver needs more local voices, not corporate," says G'Schwind.
In an interview with DemocracyNow!, a daily radio and TV news program, Durlin expresses the importance of LPFM stations in an increasingly conformed medium. "-The low-power movement is a big step in the right direction. Reclaiming pieces of our broadcasting spectrum."
G'Schwind is confident that an LPFM license would make Regis radio a force to be reckoned with. "I think Regis would speak for diversity, it would speak for social justice. Companies like Clear Channel sure don't."
Trouble with LPFM
While an LPFM station seems like a step in the right direction, it is a lengthy and arduous step to take. Since 2000, when the FCC approved low-power radio broadcasting, only 590 licenses have been granted nationwide.
This is mainly due to the fact that the FCC only opens the window for filing an application for licensure once in a blue moon.
According to Hickey, "The last open filing window for Colorado was back in January 2001. There are some rumors that the FCC might open another filing window for Colorado within the next year, but it's not certain."
Also, due to FCC regulations, LPFM stations are required to be at least .6 MHz away from other stations, making it almost impossible to find a frequency in a large metropolitan area like Denver.
However, there is hope for Regis. Regis qualifies as both a non-profit, educational and religiously affiliated organization, as LPFM licenses are granted to such organizations. Legislation is also pending in the Senate and the House that would enable thousands of new LPFM broadcasters to hit the airwaves.
"You also see a lot of universities who were awarded LPFM's. This is good. Based on Regis' stature in the Denver community, we seem to be an ideal candidate. But again, until the FCC opens a filing window, we're in limbo," says Hickey.
Other Local College Stations
1) Radio 1190, KVCU, Boulder has a 6,800 watt station. Listener funded, serves CSprings to Ft. Collins.
2) KCSU, Ft. Collins, has a 10,000 watt station - funded by student acts fees. Serves CSU only.
3) Met Radio, Metro State, Denver runs a webcast and broadcasts a FM signal on campus only.
4) KVDU, Denver. "DU's internet radio station" - exists solely online
5) KRCC, Colorado College, Colorado Springs. Affiliated with NPR and three other public radio conglomerates. 2,100 watts with 10 different frequencies across Colorado and into New Mexico.