For the last year, we the staff of 8th Day Center have produced a monthly radio program on WLUW, Loyola University’s highly regarded Independent Community Radio.  WLUW staff provided us with training and access to production and broadcast equipment, as they have with other community groups. For the coming year, we hoped to increase our audience by airing programs, which we will produce and air on WLUW, on other stations as well. Through the airwaves, we are providing an alternative, faith-based perspective on current justice issues to a totally new audience.  But this will soon change for the worse.  (To listen to previous programs of “The 8th Day” click http://www.8thdaycenter.org/radio3.html)

In a very short time, maybe as early as the end of July, Loyola University plans to turn over management of WLUW to WBEZ, the local affiliate of National Public Radio. This decision making process is being conducted in secret by Loyola’s new President, Michael Garanzini, without consultation with the university’s Department of Communications and station management, who officially have oversight of the station.  This move is apparently part of a larger effort by Garanzini to alleviate Loyola’s financial crisis--the school is $29 million over budget this year.

Both the Department of Communications, station management and listeners vehemently oppose this decision for several reasons:

First, such a move will  “lead to significant programming changes”, according to Loyola’s Dean of Arts and Science David Slavsky. It seems clear that this “outsourcing” of management will eliminate our program, “The 8th Day”, and other quality multicultural, community news and music programming.  Whatever one thinks about WBEZ/NPR, it has its own programming bias  which it will bring to WLUW.  (see for example http://www.8thdaycenter.org/031502.html ) Such a move adds to the concentration of media control which further erodes the democratic process in our ever more complex and violent world.

Second, twenty-four year old WLUW is rated the best of Chicago-land’s six college stations, including Northwestern and Chicago Universities.  It provides hands-on training in production, engineering and broadcast skills for students and community groups.  Students are thereby afforded unique job training skills which will, in all likelihood, be greatly restricted by WBEZ.  WLUW trains students and community members to produce their own radio programs and provides equipment access and air time.

Third, in keeping with the school’s Jesuit orientation, WLUW provides a valuable resources to the community it serves. In addition to providing a much-needed outlet for progressive political and cultural programs, WLUW and its community partners produce programs serving the Native American, Vietnamese, Haitian, Latino, African, Jewish, Latino, labor and gay and lesbian communities.  With programming in six languages, area listeners rely on WLUW to get news about what is happening in immigration communities both here and abroad. Last year, the New City readers voted WLUW Chicago’s best radio station, even when considering stations like CBS affiliate WBBM--impressive given that the station broadcasts at only 100 watts.  Abitron ranks WLUW as the most listened to student run station in the Chicago area.

BACKGROUND
Last Fall, under the leadership of president Michael Garanzini, SJ, Dean Slavsky sent a letter to a professor in the Communication department stating that WLUW’s $159,000 budget could no longer be funded exclusively with tuition money and that WLUW would have to help pay its way.

In a good faith response, WLUW staff immediately began reducing their budget and, with the encouragement of Loyola’s administration, began increasing income. Student stipends were cut by $27,000. The studios were moved to the Lakeshore campus to cut transmission costs by $12,000. Most significantly, the station staff raised more than $40,000 in Spring 2002 to support current programming on WLUW. This included a series of live-concert benefits with area clubs.  It also included  a first-ever pledge drive which raised $32,000 in February, during which we at 8th Day produced our first live program.  The concern now is that donor intent will not be met as the University threatens to take the money and pull the student and community-produced programming off the air.

Both Shawn Campbell, station program director, and Craig Kois, station manager, noted that they both doubled as instructors for three separate classes on production. They also noted that only a handful of non-commercial radio station in the country are self-sufficient and these stations are much larger.  All WLUW’s peers in the area are primarily funded by their respective universities, including Northwestern and Chicago Universities.

Garanzini has never offered any explanation why WLUW is on his short list for reducing Loyola’s expenses. Some have suggested that the more conservative voices, who have tried to tame station programming for years, have his ear.  (To see a chronology of how President Garanzini misled WLUW staff and the Department of Communications, click http://www.geocities.com/wluw2002/ and then click on  “Financial Perspective” in the menu on the left of the page)

LOYOLA’S MISLEADING STATEMENTS
In response to community and student outcry about the change of management at WLUW, Loyola’s administration has issued several misleading statements.  For example, Loyola says it has no intention of selling WLUW’s FCC license, nor is anyone “taking over” WLUW.  Yes, the university does intend to retain ownership of the license because they understand it is a valuable commodity.  But it also intends to turn the management and programming of the station over to WBEZ.  The issue is control of the station. University students, faculty, and staff, and community volunteers (like 8th Day staff), will be subject to the decisions of WBEZ rather than determining programming themselves.  In return, Loyola will receive some payment from WBEZ.

In what is clearly untrue, Loyola further states that the management agreement will actually provide more and better opportunities for students to learn about radio.  In fact, in its current state, ALL WLUW programming is controlled by students and community volunteers. Supervised by two managers with professional radio experience, students and community volunteers decide which news stories to cover, what type(s) of music to play, what events to promote, and so on.  Students then go out and cover those news stories, interview artists in the studio, program DJ shifts, deliver news and sportscasts, plan and promote events, write press releases, and handle all other station duties. The two managers advise students on how to grow and improve in the various jobs they perform.  It is impossible to develop radio skills without actually carrying out the above mentioned
duties.  Observation teaches a student little about broadcasting.  Hands-on-experience is essential for an aspiring broadcaster to develop marketable radio skills.

Under a management agreement with WBEZ, such opportunities for students would be greatly reduced.  WBEZ program directory Tory Malatia has already said he would bring in “professionals” to do at least some of the work at WLUW.  Programming would be determined by WBEZ not students.  The roles in which students most likely would find themselves are those of interns or board operators.  WBEZ’s “professionals” would almost certainly produce most of the programming, especially for drive times (5-9 AM and 4-7 PM). Students might then be expected to “board op” for that programming, meaning pushing a button to start the show, then hitting a station ID or public service announcement every half hour or hour.  Students and other volunteers might be given a few hours late at night to work on their own.

GOALS OF CONCERNED PERSONS
1. To prevent the elimination of locally produced, culturally diverse news and music programming.
2. To ensure, if Loyola’s concerns are essentially financial, that the President open up the negotiation process and see if there are other able bidders beyond WBEZ.
3. To keep open WLUW’s application process for on-air time, allowing students and community members opportunities to participate in broadcasts.
4. WLUW must remain committed to offering free access to its production equipment and studios to students, faculty, staff and community members.

ACTIONS
We need your IMMEDIATE help to save “The 8th Day” and continue the tradition of truly independent community radio.  Loyola and WBEZ are expected to meet by the end of July to further, if not cement, the transfer of management.  Current wisdom suggests that concerned persons write both WBEZ and Loyola.  Such efforts helped forestall a similar takeover of a college radio station in Milwaukee.

1) Write and/or call the following persons. Sample letters are below but your letters will be significantly more helpful if you tailor them to your own experience and position.  If possible, send “blind” copies of your letter and Loyola’s response to Laura Hermann at lillau@hotmail.com and Philip von Zweck at philipvonzweck@yahoo.com

SAMPLE LETTER I
Michael Garanzini, SJ
President, Loyola University
6525 N. Sheridan
Chicago IL 60626
312-915-6400
mgaranz@luc.edu

DATE

Dear Father Garanzini,

In a period of the concentration of media control, I am writing to encourage you to continue the support of WLUW as a locally produced, culturally diverse news and music program.

WLUW is a wonderful resource for students, community members and the general Chicago listening audience.  It exemplifies Loyola University’s Jesuit mission and demonstrates innovative service learning techniques.  WLUW holds the unique position of the most listened-to and most respected college radio station in Chicago, and performs a vital service to the local and national independent music community, local ethnic and immigrant groups, and its entire listening audience. WLUW is an invaluable resource.  As you determine the future of the station, do not neglect the current programming procedures that make WLUW a success.

I first came into contact with WLUW as (STATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP, i.e. student, volunteer, donor, listener, business contact, non-profit contact, etc.).  I have admired the radio station for a long time because (STATE YOUR INVOLVEMENT/ADMIRATION i.e. only radio station playing independent music,  fan of a certain show, has helped my non-profit group, has helped my business, has helped me to learn skills as a student, etc.)  Through my involvement with the station, I have learned (POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, i.e. station's staff is very professional, hardworking, etc.)

In addition to (STATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP, i.e., my personal admiration as a listener, my business involvement, my volunteer experience), I believe that WLUW benefits the city of Chicago as a whole by providing a place where local and independent artists, music, culture and news can be heard. WLUW is truly one of the only places in the city where individuals create and find such innovation in both music and community programming.

Because of my experiences with WLUW, I hope that you will continue to fund and utilize WLUW to its fullest capabilities, and turn down any local management agreement with outside organizations.  I urge you to continue to allow students, community members and the general public to continue to manage and enjoy the listener-voted #1 radio station in Chicago!  WLUW in its present format enhances the democratic process in our ever more complex and violent world.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Your Name and Address

SAMPLE LETTER II
Torey Malatia
General Manager, WBEZ
848 E. Grand
Chicago IL 60611
312-832-3312
tmalatia@wbez.org

DATE

Dear Mr. Malatia,

(IF YOU ARE NOT FROM THE CHICAGO AREA, PLEASE EDIT THE FOLLOWING ACCORDINGLY) I am writing to express my feelings regarding Loyola's student radio station, WLUW.  From my experience (OR, From all accounts) WLUW is a wonderful resource for students, community members and the general Chicago listening audience, as well as a great representation of Loyola University.  WLUW holds the unique position of the most listened-to and most respected college radio station in Chicago, and performs a vital service to the local and national independent music community, local ethnic and immigrant groups, and its entire listening audience. Most importantly, WLUW is an invaluable resource for the students of Loyola University and for the local community.

Therefore, I strongly urge you not to pursue a local management agreement with Loyola University.  Such an agreement threatens the authenticity of a truly representative community radio station.  We should remain committed to maintaining free access to production studios and training for students and community members.  The loss of production and on-air opportunities at the station would be a terrible loss to Loyola students, faculty, local music fans, and Chicago’s ethnic communities.

Pursing a management agreement with WLUW will not afford additional opportunities for students at a radio station that is already controlled by students and community members in all aspects, from news to music, promotions to programming, fundraising and beyond.  There can be no educational advantage to taking educators out of station management.

(IF YOU ARE FROM CHICAGO AREA, USE THIS PARAGRAPH)  I have always viewed WBEZ, being an NPR affiliate and the city's public radio station, as an ally in the fight against dominant media conglomerates. Should you pursue this local management agreement, WBEZ will prove itself to be no more worthy of my listening and financial donations  than any other corporate radio station.  In this eventuality, I will withdraw my financial support, and I will not donate to WBEZ again in the future, nor will I continue listening to WBEZ.

 (IF YOU ARE NOT FROM CHICAGO AREA, USE THIS PARAGRAPH) I have always viewed NPR affiliates as allies in the fight against dominant media conglomerates.  Should you
pursue this local management agreement with Loyola, WBEZ will prove itself to be no better than any other corporate radio station.  In that eventuality, I will encourage my friends and family in the Chicago area not to donate to WBEZ in the future, nor to continue to listen to WBEZ.

WLUW is a priceless resource to the students of Loyola University and the surrounding community.  I strongly urge you to do the right thing and keep the control of WLUW where it belongs -  in the hands of the educators, students and volunteers at Loyola University's WLUW.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Your Name and Address

2) If you are from the Chicago area, you may want to join the efforts of the Friends of WLUW who meet each Monday at 8 pm at the No Exit Cafe which is just south of the north exit of the Morse Stop (one stop north of Loyola) on the Red line.  For more info, contact Philip von Zweck at 773-486-2306 or philipvonzweck@yahoo.com