2008 Woodie Awards
BSU students get limited airtime
Students still seek independent station
Melissa Kingsland (Special to The Arbiter)
Issue date: 9/26/00 Section: NEWS
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Boise State students do not run their own radio station, but they can still be heard over the airwaves.
October kicks off a full line-up of student-run programs on KBSU 7:30 a.m. These programs are aired from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and they cover the musical realms of alternative, heavy metal, rock and cultural sounds. These shows are in need of student listeners and administrative support.
Student Levi Chick is the chairperson of the Student Programs Oversight Committee, a group that decides what programs will be on the air. He said he hopes to find more radio listeners and administrative support this year. With more support, he hopes to reach his ultimate goal: the creation of a student-run radio station.
"The dream is to have our own station," Chick said. "Most universities the size of BSU have their own station, and we should, too."
The license for the radio station is held by BSU, but only a small amount of airtime is devoted solely to Boise State student programs, he said. Most funding for the radio station comes from the government, with a small amount of support coming from the school.
"We would like to get backing from the administration," Chick said. He hopes to have time this year to begin soliciting money and support for the concept.
"It is a long process," Chick said, and he realizes he also needs to stay focused on the radio air time students already have.
The programs airing on 7:30 a.m. are produced by Boise State students with knowledge in radio broadcasting.
"Grey Matter" runs for the whole two hours on Monday night and plays alternative music.
"This is real' alternative music. It isn't what all of us think that alternative is," Chick said.
The first hour of student programming Tuesday nights is produced by two students from the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and is named "Howling at the Moon." The second hour is devoted to "Too Much Distortion," a heavy metal show produced by Chick and fellow student Adam Stuart. It runs again on Fridays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Abecedavan Airwaves" is a unique show that airs for the first hour of Wednesday nights. Every song title or artist name played starts with the same letter of the alphabet. This is followed by another unique show called "Back to Back" that plays both the original and cover song.
"This show is cool because a lot of times people didn't even know that the song they are listening to was re-made," Chick said.
On the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, poetry readings can be heard during "Jedi Art" for the entire two-hour block.
"Eclecticon" airs Fridays for the first hour and is a mixture of music from around the world. It is followed by "Too Much Distortion," which finishes up the week.
To receive time on the air, a show must be voted in by SPOC.
Demo tapes are turned in to Chick and reviewed at SPOC meetings. The next deadline for submitting demo tapes is Nov. 1. Anyone interested in being involved in SPOC or student radio can e-mail Boise State Radio's administrative assistant, Debbi Woods, at dwoods@boisestate.edu or can apply online at http//:radio.boisestate.edu.
