KCOU, MSA on track to separate
After talking to other student body presidents from the Big 12 Council, Missouri Students Association President Jim Kelley, along with other MSA leaders, has decided to step out of the radio station business.
Kelley and three other MSA members presented this new option to three KCOU/88.1 FM leaders Tuesday night.
Kelley and Vice President Chelsea Johnson said they are willing to buy the new transmitting tower as early as tomorrow, but will continue to meet with the radio station to solidify details such as ownership, licensing and access to money.
Kelley said MSA would gradually decrease their commitment to KCOU over time to help ease the radio station’s transition.
MSA Speaker Jonathan Mays said KCOU might also get a professional advisor who knows the radio business and can offer suggestions and guidance, an idea met with support from KCOU leadership.
Kelley said KCOU may be paid for partly by student fees, but the radio station will also have to find more sources for income. While this option involves more risk, it also includes a larger amount of freedom.
KCOU Program Director Jonathan Hutcheson said the radio station could earn more money by creating public and private partnerships, reaching out to alumni, selling merchandise through the bookstore, mobile DJ services and more underwriting.
Although two separate KCOU bills were filed Tuesday, the bills were retracted by the sponsors once they became aware of the new updates.
If Kelley and MSA Vice President Chelsea Johnson decide to buy the KCOU tower, a Senate vote is not required due to legislation passed last year that creates a KCOU equipment fund. Since the legislation doesn't define how the money can be distributed, it falls to the vice president to authorize payments based on the constitutional definition of that position (Article IV, Paragraph C, Section 2), Mays said.
Comments (5)
9:04 a.m., Oct. 22, 2008
Andrew said:
Wow, seems to me that MSA has decided to trade a long-term commitment and relatively solid history of support for fledgling artistic outlets (see: Craft Studio) to save a relatively dismal amount of the annual budget. Eventually KCOU will go the way of the SLU radio station... internet-only broadcasts and a mockery of the college radio genre. Sad to see this really for one of the most recognized college radio stations in the country: one of the last to turn its FCC license over to the Board of Curators, a recent CMJ award winner and featured MTVU radio station. Short memories around MSA have lead to ignorant and irresponsible actions.
9:12 a.m., Oct. 22, 2008
KCN said:
I'm confident that KCOU can manage itself in the future. It's how almost every college station in the country operates.
10:38 a.m., Oct. 22, 2008
Radio Fan said:
An FM license for a student-operated station is a rare thing to come by if you're a university, and nearly impossible to get back if you let it go; most universities have been grandfathered into multiple-ownership scenarios, where the FCC permits a state institution to own both a student and a pulic radio station. They rarely grant things like that these days, and there are plenty of commercial station who would love to buy up an FM frequency if the opportunity presented itself. Without reliable funding, it's true that KCOU will probably have to migrate to internet-only, as the pittance they're allocated each year goes to maintaining equipment and keeping FM broadcast. Despite KCN's confidence, most college stations are funded entirely by student fees, and at a much larger rate, ranging from $75K/year all the way up to $250K a year! It's encouraging to look at underwriting the station as an option, but one would hope that MSA might grant a grace period for funding the station while it shifts some focus over to beginning a new financial model.
12:08 p.m., Oct. 22, 2008
Radio Fan #2 said:
Really? Are you kidding me? This sounded like a good idea to someone? This is crazy! If Jim Kelley, or whoever supported this concept, has any REAL justification to do this, OTHER than they don't like the music on KCOU and they think it is a money pit, I would love to see it. The history that KCOU has should not warrant such a quickly decided upon fate (assumption, agreed). What happens to their new space they have planned in the new Student Center? All questions I would love to have answered. Thanks!
8:49 a.m., Oct. 22, 2008
NCK said:
Welp, looks like KCOU is on track for a slow and agonizing death then.