Dear Save KTRU,

My name is Judith Yunis (Jones College, 2006).  My memories of KTRU stretch back to when I was a little kid.  My dad has been a professor at Rice since 1987.  KTRU has been a part of our family since then.  My dad was never directly involved at KTRU and I wasn’t either when I attended Rice.  But when I think of home, of growing up, KTRU is often playing in the background.  KTRU was on when my dad was grilled steak on Sunday nights (usually the baseball game).  It was often on in the car when my mom picked me up from school.  When the student DJ’s came on, sounding so serious and independent and ironic I remember getting excited about attending Rice one day myself.

Please do not sell KTRU.  KTRU is Rice.  KTRU is a quintessential Rice institution.  It is quirky and smart and weird and interesting.  I am proud to be a Rice alum and I know my dad is proud to work for an institution that is almost always serious about maintaining its integrity and making meaningful contributions to the world.  Selling KTRU– particularly in the underhanded, secretive way negotiations have thus far been conducted– silences a voice of the students and of the Rice community.  Rice needs to consider whether shutting down KTRU– a medium for the Rice community and Houston at large to freely express and exchange ideas– is really worth $9.5 million.

Sincerely,

Judith Yunis