Greetings,

I am not a Rice University student, but I am an avid KTRU listener, and I disapprove wholeheartedly of this attempted sale of the station. KTRU is not just a radio station, it is the last and only truly independent station; dismantling the airwaves will result in a deep wound that can never be mended.

After being exposed to the more intriguing and out sounds at the KTRU station, I started my own band specializing in the melding of free form noise, hip hop and folk – No Sunlite for the Media. Through this band, I have had many great opportunities to explore the power of sound and song, and to turn many other friends on to the enlightening sounds at the Rice station. In fact, when our band produces records we only send them to a single radio station – KTRU – since this station is the only legitimate broadcasting station that exists. KTRU is not simply another commodity to be traded, it is invaluable truth in radio wave form that can reach many. I was content in knowing that at least somewhere there was an institution that supported free thinking music and media that pushed beyond the mundane, and I am deeply saddened by this projected sale.

Although my car has Virginia plates, the bumper bears a KTRU rice radio sticker, and if this sale continues I will never explain again what the “rice radio” part of the sticker means without coupling my explanation with anger toward an institution so blind as to shut down its strongest asset. I am encouraging all of my friends who attend the school to cease financially supporting the university, I will no longer advertise for this college in any way (with clothing or otherwise), I no longer will have any reason to visit Houston, and I will actively explain to others why they should not attend an institution that has sold out if this sellout continues.

Please do not let this disgrace happen to your university.

Sincerely,
Matthew Horne