From the second part of the post:
“Many people would have to seriously consider whether they want to listen to internet radio at all if it meant using up all of their data allotment. It all makes you not want to listen. I don’t know who thinks that internet radio is a viable alternative to terrestrial radio, but they are misinformed.”
“Two weeks ago, one of KTRU’s music directors, Kevin Bush, composed the resolution and introduced it to the SA after learning about the university’s decision to sell KTRU’s broadcasting tower, license and frequency to KUHF. According to Bush, a Duncan College junior, the resolution aims to safeguard and maintain the integrity of student organizations in the future. It said that the Student Association disapproved of KTRU being sold without the student consultation and called for a written commitment from the administration that the secretive procedure would not become a precedent for other student organizations.”
The decision by Rice University to sell its student-run radio license and transmitter for $9.5 million launched protests by students and alumni, demanding that the decision be reversed.
The agreement to sell the radio license and transmitter of KTRU to the University of Houston wasn’t a sign of desperation, Leebron said.
Leasing at one of the university’s new signature buildings has been slow, as well.
The $300 million BioScience Research Collaborative is about half full.
Come out and support KTRU at a free concert this Saturday!
Free Radicals, The Live Lights, Ellypseas
Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 9:00pm
Mango’s, 403 Westheimer, Houston, TX
Faculty, students and alumni from both sides are outraged at both UH and Rice administration’s secrecy. Since the news broke on Aug. 17, Rice students and KTRU supporters have risen up in protest with rallies, meetings and petitions. Now some of UH is stepping up to show the administrations that Rice students aren’t the only ones opposed to the sale.
A group of UH alumni and students have created their own online petition specifically targeting President Renu Khator and the UH administration for their involvement in the “secret deal” to buy KTRU.
In the petition it states, “by voting to authorize the purchase of KTRU without informing students or the general public prior to the vote, we believe that the UH Board of Regents failed in its responsibility as the governing body of a public institution to keep the community informed of important University decisions.”
UH and Rice alumni have voiced their intent to cut funding to the universities if the deal goes through.
“I love public radio, but Houston needs the diversity of KTRU,” Christopher Spadone wrote on the petition’s website.
In 1967, students at Rice University set up a two-watt radio station, broadcasting news, music and covering notable local events. Over the past forty-three years, the station has grown to a 50,000-watt powerhouse, a model for college programmers everywhere, and the greater Houston area’s alternative to the Clear Channel, Z-Rock, Power Country wasteland that is American radio today.
The station was built by the students, was grown by the students and is maintained by the students and a large community of supportive listeners throughout the Houston area.
… university president David Leebron entered secret negotiations to sell the station’s broadcasting license and frequency to the University of Houston, which would relegate KTRU to internet-only status. But Rice students and fans of radio diversity are having none of it.
Students have organized a strong effort to block the sale of the license. They are supported not only by the larger community, but even students at the University of Houston, who like KTRU’s eclectic programming just the way it is.
In an era where culture is dictated and airwave diversity is shrinking, please help maintain this bastion of aural freedom.
Come out and support KTRU at two benefit shows:
Thursday, September 9, 9:00 p.m.
Fat Tony, Giant Princess, & B L A C K I E
Rice Memorial Center, Grand Hall
Rice University (campus map)
free! all ages!
Friday, September 24
Golden Axe, The Roller, The Energy, Venomous Maximus, Omatai, 2 Star Symphony, & DJ Meshak
Fitzgerald’s
$5 (free for 21 and up / 10% proceeds go to save KTRU)
On Saturday 9/4 at 8PM, a group of KTRU DJs, alumni, and student leaders discussed KTRU’s mission and history vis-a-vis the recent sale controversy.
Download a recording of their discussion.
Run time: 78min
File size: 38MB (mp3)
A group of UH alumni is organizing a petition addressed to the UH administration. UH students, alumni, faculty and staff are especially encouraged to sign, but signatures are welcome from everyone who cares about KTRU and wants to share their opinion with the UH administration. Sign the petition.
