Changes Coming to WEMC in the Future

WEMC, EMU's public radio station, will be dramatically changing in the coming years as a result of the prioritization recommendations.

While the PSC's recommendations are not final, if carried out they will spell the end for the current format of classical music, world news, and various other musical and news programs.

The station's mission is to provide programming that best reflects the local culture and exposes the local community to what is happening in the wider world. The station tries to accomplish this with different genres of music and a wide range of programming. Programs like "BBC World News," "Fresh Air," and "Democracy Now" provide a more global perspective on the current events in the world; also "Democracy Now" is an alternative news source that provides a different perspective from more commercialized major media sources. The music ranges from classical and jazz to world and acapella.

Because WEMC is a public radio station, it cannot generate income like other radio stations. WEMC does not sell advertising space and there are no commercials. The subsidies from the university, local businesses underwriting and listeners who contribute are the only income the station has. Currently the university provides WEMC with about $50,000 in subsidies that goes for professional staff and programming.

The $50,000 represents the largest monetary cut in the recommendations by the committee in the administrative programs area. In the report it states that programs were recommended to be discontinued based on "degree of importance to mission, demand, quality, cost, and opportunity." The PSC does not see WEMC, in its current format, as increasing enrollment or revenue or benefiting the overall mission of EMU.

If the committee's recommendations are carried out, WEMC will be forced to switch its format from a public radio station to a completely student-run station with a much different sound. Because there are a limited number of frequencies available, EMU will likely keep the rights to the frequency, but budgeting reasons mean there must be a change. Many of the current programs on WEMC cost money to run and so they will have to be cut along with professional staff.

Station manager Jon Kauffman-Kennel believes the PSC is "underestimating the value the station has for an EMU presence in the community and for EMU public relations." WEMC is listened to by approximately 6,000 people a week mainly in the Rockingham-Harrisonburg area. However, the 1,850-watt frequency has a good signal for 35 miles and can sometimes range up to 50 miles, so it provides a glimpse of EMU for a large community.