Dive Brief:
- Colleges and universities are growing bolder in deciding to sell student-run radio stations, according to PopMatters.com
- Even with radio stations staffed by students or operated with funding from donations and student fees, college and university administrators have no obligation to consult students on matters concerning university-owned radio licenses, including the sale of the station.
- Proposed sales of college radio stations have attracted the ire of the staff and listeners, who have launched social media and other online campaigns to try to sway university leaders.
Dive Insight:
PopMatters.com cites several recent examples of radio station battles. California Polytechnic State University administrators have considered selling the school’s radio station. Georgia State University’s radio station’s daytime broadcasts were taken over by Georgia Public Broadcasting. Colby-Sawyer College sold its station to a private foundation. Last year, Lehigh Carbon Community College sold its radio frequency to Four Rivers Community Broadcasting Corp.
