If you’re involved with radio or other media, you can help spread word of KTRU’s struggle by reading/printing/posting something like this blurb:

Are you a supporter of independent college radio? Well one such station is under assault from their own University’s administration—KTRU Houston, 91.7fm. KTRU was founded by the students of Rice University 40 years ago. It was built from scratch by the students and eventually evolved into the 50,000 watt station it is today. Now the Rice administration is selling the frequency out from under the students who built and run KTRU—in a deal that was kept secret from the students, KTRU staff, and alumni until these final moments. If you are a Rice alumni, KTRU listener, or just a supporter of college radio, please go to savektru.org for more information on how you can help save one of the few truly independent college radio stations.

If you want to write about or discuss the situation, here are the key points we’re trying to stress:

1. The Houston community, the music world, and Rice students would all lose out with this deal. Houston radio listeners would have less choice, less diversity, and less commitment to local and diverse artists. Artists, record labels, and clubs would no longer have an avenue to promote their work in the U.S.’s 4th largest city. Rice students—setting aside the “internships” KUHC will offer—will no longer have the opportunity to learn leadership, management and communications skills in a hands-on environment.

2. The decision to sell KTRU was made covertly, specifically aimed to exclude input from KTRU, Rice students, and Rice alumni. Rice students built KTRU out of nothing, supporting its growth for over 40 years. Rice’s attempt to sell it out from under the students is a betrayal of trust—if not for the students’ hard work, there would be nothing to sell.

3. Internet streaming is not a viable alternative—it is precisely KTRU’s ability to broadcast on the radio that reaches people in their cars, allows the Houston community to discover KTRU on the dial, and brings new music into the station.

Finally, writing an official editorial or letter of support that we can publish here would help a lot, too.

Thanks for all your support in this time of need. We really appreciate it.