KCOU and MSA start behavioral contract

KCOU is expected to fund its entire yearly budget in five years.

By Amber Wade

Published Oct. 27, 2008

Missouri Students Association and KCOU/88.1 FM leaders are creating a behavioral contract to help solidify the transfer of KCOU to the Department of Student Life.

During a meeting Monday, MSA President Jim Kelley said MSA would give KCOU a maximum five-year transition period in which MSA will decrease the station's yearly budget by 20 percent for the next five years.

For those five years, KCOU would have to increase its contribution to maintain its current yearly budget, which is about $40,000.

MSA Vice President Chelsea Johnson said the Department of Student Life expects KCOU to fund its own yearly budget after the five-year transition period, but the department would most likely pay the salary of KCOU's professional adviser if the station acquires one.

KCOU Program Director Jonathan Hutcheson said he was unaware KCOU would have to come up with its entire budget while under Student Life.

"A lot of those details are new details and we weren't a part of that conversation," Hutcheson said. "The structure is somewhat different than what we had discussed."

Kelley said Director of Student Life Mark Lucas will need to address those issues, so MSA and KCOU leaders plan to meet with him next week.

Hutcheson said he plans on asking Lucas about KCOU having a possible baseline budget under Student Life.

Kelley said since KCOU contributed $10,000 last year to the equipment fund, MSA will return that money by giving the station $2,000 each year for the next five years.

Kelley said he would like KCOU leaders to start meeting with the Student Life development office, who will be able to help the radio station reach out to alumni.

Johnson said MSA leaders also need to decide whether they will continue to pay $4,000 a year to Residence Halls Association for the purchase of KCOU in 1997 or if they should just pay off the entire sum at one time.

KCOU General Manager John Dobson said he is concerned that another MSA administration in the future might want to keep KCOU.

Johnson said to ease these concerns, a clause can be included in the behavioral contract that states the contract is finalized and isn't available for negotiation.

Kelley said it might be possible to have KCOU's adviser teach a class for MU's communication department, which would be a way to recruit students interested in the radio business.