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The Rice Thresher
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KTRU needs to reestablish its connection to the undergraduate student body at large while it still can. Less than half of the current staff of the radio station, which was established by and for undergraduate students, is actually made up of undergrads. More than two-thirds of students who have listened to any radio station this semester have not spent five consecutive minutes this semester listening to what should be their station. Many students not involved with the station hold negative views of KTRU that range from indifference to frustration to active disgust. But the relationship between KTRU and the student body hasn't always been this way, and it doesn't have to remain this way. And if KTRU is going to continue to exist as a student organization, it must change. KTRU staff: You say your mission is to educate the public about music they wouldn't be exposed to in other venues - a noble goal. But, currently, the lines of communication, to many students at least, are closed. Many students don't even realize KTRU can be heard on campus now on 91.5 FM after over nine years of terrible reception in the colleges. Lots of students aren't aware that there are some shows with specific types of music. Publicize the station on campus. Make schedules that are more informative and more accessible to the students. Distribute the playlist, and explain who the bands are and what kind of music they play. Don't assume students can recognize Le Tigre as lesbian punk rock, and don't look down upon students if they don't know that Kim Gordon was a member of Sonic Youth. Recent publicity for tonight's and Tuesday's KTRU-sponsored concerts represents an excellent start. Sending e-mail announcements to college listservs is a great idea, and the messages included enough explanation for the uninitiated to get an idea of what the bands are about. Understand that a renewed connection will not come easily and that it may threaten some of the self-perpetuating aspects of KTRU. Because KTRU's operating budget comes from blanket tax, the station manager must be elected popularly (as are the Thresher and Campanile editors). KTRU's general mission of playing music not supported by commercial radio should remain, but the range of music may need to shift a little more toward mainstream tastes to help bring in student listeners.
Students: Take a deep breath, look past your preconceptions, and give KTRU another chance. Turn the station on sometimes. Browse www.ktru.org. Talk to friends who work for the station. Recognize that KTRU plays a variety of music, and don't judge the entire station based on two minutes of listening. Basically, open your mind.
The issue is not whether you'd like to hear sports on KTRU (though our research says few of you do). You have to fight for the organization, the principle of student radio at Rice, regardless of your views of the current KTRU operation. Because if it disappears, there is not likely to ever be a way to bring it back.
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This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
