Last week, President Bennet revealed a plan for WESU that would affiliate the student-run radio station with a National Public Radio member station in Fairfield, Conn. According to Bennet, this association would benefit WESU financially and professionally, providing 12 hours of airtime per day to NPR programs. An NPR station manager would coordinate the programming and help students create and implement their shows.
WESU, which has been struggling managerially since its move from the basement of Clark to the office space above Broad Street Books, is clearly in need of help. Bennet’s plan signifies an effort to respond to concerns expressed by the WESU Board of Directors, a coalition of students and Middletown community members. Depending on how the affiliation with NPR is structured, however, Bennet’s proposal could threaten WESU. The station currently prides itself on providing its program hosts with an open space for freeform radio. WESU has also reached out to a growing number of Middletown-area listeners by broadcasting community-related shows and working closely with Middletown residents in managing the station. While an affiliation with NPR would provide WESU with financial support and better management, the station could lose control over program content.
Bennet should be given credit for responding to WESU’s demand for help with the radio station. This debate, however, needs to take place over more than a week’s time, the allotted deadline the Administration has given for alternative suggestions. His proposal would remove the single most important aspect of WESU: complete student control. The Argus has a liaison to the Hartford Courant, who makes suggestions but does not dictate policy. While the NPR station could help WESU meet FCC regulations, the Administration should consider the WESU proposal of financing themselves through underwriting. The week Bennet has given students to offer alternative suggestions is not enough for full disclosure of ideas. All alternatives should be exhausted before student independence is compromised.
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