NOVEMBER 21, 1984 WBCR Attempting New Expansion Phase by Marge Tomczak Collegian Staff Writer WBCR, Behrend’s radio station get on the FM band. What this is on the move. Aubrey Favors, means is that Behrend’s radio sta- WBCR DJ, Jim Maggio changing tunes for Behrend students. COBCSG Unites PSU Campuses by Kimberly Ford Collegian Staff Writer The voices of the Penn State Commonwealth campuses are channelled and officially represented through the Council of Branch Campus Student Governments (C.0.8.C.5.G.). The general purpose of C.0.8.C.5.G. is to provide a forum for the exchange and development of ideas in various areas of student concern. C.0.8.C.5.G. attempts to repre sent student concerns on a university-wide nature that has an impact on combined student in terests. Behrend’s Student Government President, Dann Johns and freshman delegate Kimberly Ford are the voting members represen ting Behrend. College for the 1984-85 academic year. C.0.8.C.5.G. meets approx imately four times per year. At the first meeting held in September, issues that were addressed includ- FEATURE Station Manager, stated that it is hoped that WBCR will eventually ed increased voter registration among the branch campuses. It was determined that by register ing more students at branch cam puses, Penn State would be more of a presence in Harrisburg for in creased land-grant allocations. An alternative grading system was discussed and elections were held for C.0.8.C.5.G. represen tatives on the University Student Executive Council (U.S.E.C.) and the Board of Trustees. Doug Gerow, Behrend’s C.0.8.C.5.G. Liason, has been an active member since January 1983. He praises C.0.8.C.5.G.' 'Coordinator, Brian Hand in that, “Brian has helped strengthen and develop the organization.” Gerow continues, “Through C.0.8.C.5.G. the possibility of a member on the University Facul ty Senate has been addressed.” If students have any issues or concerns that could be addressed by C.0.8.C.5.G., they are urged to bring comments to the Student Government office. THE COLLEGIAN tion will be transmitted throughout the entire Erie area, not only on campus. This in crease in broadcasting power would not only benefit the students with better listening quality, but also provide Penn State-Behrend with public ex posure. Advertising clients recognizing the market value of a college community would advertise on WBCR and therefore provide continued income for the station. Our athletic program would receive the recognition it deserves by having various Behrend sports events broadcasted. The procedure to submit an ap plication to the Federal Com munications Commission (FCC) for approval is a long and involv ed process. First, representatives of WBCR have to submit a pro posal to the Dean of Student Af fairs for approval. He must then present it to Provost Lilley who, if it passes his scrutiny, will pre sent it to Penn State University and its board of trustees. After it has been thoroughly checked by the administration and the university’s legal department, the application can then be sent to the FCC for consideration. At this point, the first step has been taken. In the meantime, a base of operation is being plann ed. This includes personnel, scheduling, and programming so that WBCR will be ready in the event that approval is given. There is another obstacle to overcome besides administrative approval and scheduling, and that is the financial problem. The officers of the radio club are working with the Student Govern ment Association to generate ad ditional allocations_ for a mini grant. The fundraisers aren’t suf ficient enough to establish the necessary seed money to buy the commercial equipment needed to expand the programming to the Erie community and to provide better listening quality to Behrend students. Equipment breakdowns are ex cessive, as the equipment present ly being used by the radio station is the type for home use, not for the type of use it now receives. The station is only able to pur chase minimal relacement parts with the money it raises. With the allocation it receives from SGA, the club members pur chase approximately 35 albums per semester. Of the the 35, only 15 to 20 are still in working order at the end of the semester due to extensive playing and the inade quate equipment. Even though the radio club gets a discount at the record store on all albums purchased, they are trying to join a record club available to radio stations which would provide even a greater dis count. This would enable the radio club to buy more albums with the same amount of money. One puzzling item is why -WBCR is not being broadcast at Dobbins. Right now the station can be heard on the second floor of the Reed building, the point of origin, and in the dorms by tuning in 560 or 640 AM on your radio dial. Favors jokingly stated, “We can also be picked up on campus by a good 60 cycle hair dryer.” Seriously, a survey of dorm students showed 95 percent sup ported having WBCR piped into Dobbins Hall. Since it is a direct line, the reception would be the best, which is critical for an nouncements provided by the sta tion. However, it appears that the word is NO, as WBCR is unable to broadcast at Dobbins. Favors is with the radio club on a technical basis. His assistance is needed to set up and oversee the equipment. This type of activity has been increased in the past years since WBCR has helped other clubs by providing disc jockeys and music for events that they might otherwise be unable to sponsor. Bob Dudley, President of the Radio Club, is instrumental in SFFS WRITING CONTEST WRITE A SHORT STORY AND YOU COULD WIN SOME CASH! RULES & ENTRY FORMS ARE AT THE RUB DESK establish ing the programming format and setting a training ses sion for the disc jockeys. Of the 125 applications received, bet ween 60 and 75 people are members per semester. They han dle programming, broadcasting, clerical work, and act as disc jockeys for school events and on the radio itself. The station broadcasts from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday through Sun day. In order to provide as much listening variety to as many students as possible, they have a broad array of music in the for mat which consists of: 8-11 upbeat (heavy rhythm and blues, disco) 11-2 top 40 and pop (current hits) 2- 4 light punk 4- 6 top 40 and pop (current hits) 6-10 jazz, rock 10-12 adult contemporary (soul, soft rock) In between the records, WBCR also broadcasts any special events taking place on campus as well as any significant items that the students should be made aware of. Admittedly, the sound quality may not be the best, but WBCR is on the move, and that move is up wards. PAGE
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