Radio K - Student Services Fees

2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
1
Radio K
January 26, 2006
Request for 2006-2008 Academic Years
“We acknowledge that the fees committee does not award actual dollars, but rather a penny
fee that earns dollars based upon student enrollment levels. Any differences between
anticipated and actual income resulting from changes in enrollment are the responsibility of
the administrative unit, not of the fees committee.”
______________________________
______________________________
Terri Kromenaker, Marketing Director
David Safar, Program Director
__________________________________________
Prepared by Stuart Sanders, Development Coach
And Andy Marlow, Station Manager
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
2
Narrative
Radio K is a registered student organization and a unit of the College of Continuing Education.
Radio K contributes to all of the activities as outlined in the Fees Committee Guidelines for Decision-Making.
That is: we provide a service to the student body, we supplement the academic curriculum of the School of
Journalism and Mass Communication, the Communications Studies Department and others, and we help foster
a sense of community on the Twin Cities campus. Further, we serve as a bridge between the campus community
and the larger community surrounding us.
History
In 1922 the University of Minnesota was granted the first radio broadcast license in the state. Covering an
area within a 90 mile radius of the Twin Cities, KUOM 770 AM has been the broadcast voice of the
University of Minnesota ever since. In 1993 a unique cooperative arrangement between the University
Administration and a group of students, who until that time had been running WMMR, a cable-only station
located in Coffman Memorial Union, formed Radio K. This arrangement was sanctioned by the University
administration as a three-year experiment. In 1996 a review committee concluded that the experiment was a
success and that Radio K should continue as a student organization with strong ties to the College of
Continuing Education and the University administration.
In March 2003 we entered a partnership with the St. Louis Park School District to share the use of the FM
frequency at 106.5 mHz with the district’s existing station KDXL-FM. Initially, the low-power station
transmitted from the roof of the St. Louis Park High School and reached a radius of only 1.25 miles. In
2004 we moved the transmitter and antenna for the station to the top of a 24-story apartment building.
Although still at low power (10 watts), the station now reaches large portions of Minneapolis (including
parts of the Minneapolis campus of the University) and the western suburbs to a radius of nearly four miles.
The move increased the potential audience that can tune to Radio K FM from 83,000 to more than 312,000
people. It also increased Radio K FM’s potential audience of people of color from less than 8,000 people to
more than 90,000.
In April 2005, we expanded our FM coverage area by adding a translator station on our AM tower just
north of the St. Paul campus. The signal at 100.7 mHz serves portions of St. Paul (including the St. Paul
campus) and the northern suburbs. An application is pending at the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) for an additional translator station to be located on Rarig Center, to provide a high quality signal for
listeners on and near the Minneapolis campus. When the FCC again begins to accept applications for
additional translator stations, we will apply for facilities to serve the northwest and southeast quadrants of
the metropolitan area. Funds for these signal improvements were contributed by private donors, and we
expect that to be the case in the future.
Radio K is also available for listening online 24 hours a day any place on the globe a listener can connect to
the Internet. Radio K maintains three separate streams at various quality levels to serve listeners who use
the University campus network, dial-up services and broadband. The streams use standards-based
technology known as MP3 and MP4.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
3
Strategic Planning
Students created Radio K and set its direction, mission and emphasis. Since the beginning, Radio K has
been committed to strategically planning its future. We have conducted three strategic planning processes,
the first in 1994. In July of that year all members of the station met with an outside professional broadcaster
acting as facilitator. The group decided the professional staff would allow the students to determine the
course of the station’s development, and take a supportive role to ensure that graduation and subsequent
replacement of student staff members did not adversely affect the station’s progress. In February 2000 a
series of strategic planning sessions, guided in part by an outside facilitator, carried on this tradition and
involved almost every student that has ever participated in Radio K.
During the winter of 2004-2005 Radio K went through its third strategic planning process. The Strategic
Planning process had extensive involvement and support from the College of Continuing Education (CCE)
Dean’s Office. A steering committee of University and external stakeholders helped guide the process,
along with a professional facilitator. The steering committee included four students, the Dean of CCE, the
Vice Provost for Student Affairs, the President of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association (MBA), a
representative of the Office of Budget and Finance and others. This process culminated with a town
meeting attended by staff, volunteers and supporters to shape the next five-year plan. The final document
includes a revised mission statement that reaffirms the station’s continuing commitment to being a studentdriven organization responsive to the needs of the University and its students.
Vision Statement: Be recognized as the best student-run radio station in the nation.
Mission Statement: Radio K is an empowering educational opportunity for University of Minnesota
students to create and sustain unique broadcast and other media programming. We provide music and
information that help create and reflect our vibrant and diverse community.
This planning process yielded five strategic goals that Radio K will pursue over the next half-decade. The
goals in order of their priority:
1.
Increase awareness of and pride in Radio K among U of M students, faculty, and staff
2.
Build exposure to key external communities
3.
Improve financial stability
4.
Contribute to University goals (which include student recruitment, student retention, student
graduation, outcomes, public/citizen engagement, campus climate)
5.
Upgrade physical and technical infrastructure
Organization
Radio K is unique. It provides students with practical broadcasting and business experience that they
cannot get anywhere else. It creates a social and cultural meeting place for “music lovers” and “radio
heads” providing them with a place to belong. It is a marketing and promotional resource that advances
campus community building while reaching out to the community at large. It functions as a progressive,
independent radio station dedicated to supporting local music and campus life.
Three types of people contribute to the operation of Radio K: volunteers, student employees and
professional staff.
Volunteers at Radio K must be enrolled University of Minnesota students. They fill out a volunteer
questionnaire, are given a tour of the station and exposed to a host of volunteer activities from which they
can choose. Many new volunteers begin at Radio K by reviewing music, doing news or helping staff
sponsored events. After one semester of volunteering they are eligible to apply for DJ training, which can
lead to hosting an on-air shift.
There are 24 part time paid student positions, many are department managers. The Manager’s Council
meets weekly to coordinate their efforts and to set general directions for the station. These meetings are
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
4
mandatory for paid student staff and professional staff, and open to all volunteers. The responsibilities of
the various departments are detailed in the programmatic breakdown later in this application and the
relationships between departments are delineated in the organizational chart. The student managers are
responsible for recruiting, training and managing a volunteer staff of more than 100 students. There are few
organizations on campus where students have such a high level of involvement in and responsibility for
making major decisions that affect the operation of an Administrative Unit, which is made possible because
of the strong support and guidance from the professional staff.
The professional staff works to support and advise the student staff. Their duties are:
• The Station Manager is ultimately responsible to CCE and the University administration for managing
the budget and personnel of the station. S/he also is accountable to the station licensee, the Board of
Regents, for operating the station within the rules and regulations of the FCC.
• The Chief Engineer maintains, designs, specifies and installs studio and broadcast equipment, and
mentors students interested in the technical aspects of the station.
• The Program Coach advises the Program Director, Music Director and their staffs, and consults with
individual DJs on a regular basis to improve their performance skills.
• The Development Coach advises the Marketing Director and Supporter Services Manager and their
staffs on matters involving marketing, promotion and fundraising.
• The Underwriting Account Executive’s primary responsibility is to sell underwriting to businesses and
organizations to help support the station. S/he also trains and manages the student staff underwriting
team.
An Executive Committee comprised of three pro-staff and three senior student staff guides the operation of
the station. They monitor the station budget. Funds are managed through a CUFS account.
Student Fees are not the only source of funding for the station. Other sources of funding are:
• The College of Continuing Education and Central Administration, which help fund five full-time
professional staff that provide guidance, stability and institutional memory to the station. (The
broadcast licenses for the stations are legally assigned to the Board of Regents).
• Federal funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
• State of Minnesota grants through Radio K’s membership in the Association of Minnesota Public
Educational Radio Stations (AMPERS).
• Local businesses, campus and arts organizations through underwriting agreements.
• Our audience, which supports the station by buying “Watts” (virtual shares of Radio K) during our
semiannual on-air fund drives.
• Clients who rent our studios for professional-quality recording and lease space on our transmission
tower.
Student Experience
Radio K primarily provides practical experience for students in fields related to radio and other multimedia
fields: radio programming, audio production and engineering, journalism, marketing and sales. However, it
also provides an opportunity to acquire skills useful in all fields, such as leadership and management skills.
Many students graduate from the University with experience and skills acquired at Radio K that have
enhanced their opportunity for employment in many highly competitive career fields.
This is a partial list of Radio K alumni who now hold jobs in broadcasting and related industries because of
experience they gained by working at Radio K while at the U of M:
• Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion
• Brian Oake of Cities 97
• Steve Nelson, Dan “Thorn” Schroch, Mark Wheat, Ali Lozoff, Dan Sigelman, Ellen Lucast, Christina
Schmidt at The Current, Minnesota Public Radio’s contemporary music station
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5
Jessica Bari and Susan Leem at Minnesota Public Radio news
Noah Balego and Andy Skoogman at KSMP-TV (channel 9)
Lindsay Thomas, staff writer, and Oren Goldberg, events editor, at City Pages
Simon-Peter Groebner, on-line editor at the StarTribune
Justin Morse and Jon Nelson, each owners of their own recording studios and record labels
Dan Richmond, Program Director, and Pam Hill-Kroyer, Volunteer Coordinator, at KFAI-FM
Joel Meyer, assistant producer for the Al Franken Show on AirAmerica
Linda Moucha at a music management company in New York City
Emalie Wichmann, Account Executive for Weber Shandwick International, a marketing agency
Aaron Szopinski at membership services at The Walker Art Center
Chad Yost, Music Director at WELY in Ely, Minnesota
Steve Snyder, The Villager, New York City
Chuck Olsen, web master for Twin Cities Public Television
Pete Schroeder, engineer at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, WA
Joanne Hepburn, KEXP-FM and entertainment attorney, Seattle, WA
Steve Dowling, Senior Manager of Corporate Media Relations at Apple Computer in Cupertino, CA
Josef Pfeiffer, engineer at Symantec Corporation in St. Paul
Laura Muir, anchor, KSAX & KRWF-TV, Alexandria, MN
Sarah Klaphake, reporter, WDAY-TV, Fargo, ND
Many Radio K alumni are still actively involved in the station. They mentor current students and use their
knowledge of Radio K’s history to help guide today’s students in making decisions about the station’s
future. Radio K is collaborating with a group of WMMR (predecessor station to Radio K) alumni to create
a formal organization of alumni from WMMR, the old KUOM and Radio K. We maintain an email listserv
to keep the Radio K “family”, new and old alike, involved with the station. We have various gatherings
throughout the year ranging from informal get-togethers to charitable fund raising events such as our
hugely successful "Hip Hop for the Homeless” at First Avenue every February. Radio K alumni who are in
the broadcasting industry meet on a periodic basis with current volunteers to share “war stories” and tips
for successfully pursuing a career in broadcasting. This type of networking benefits both students and
alumni. And it’s not just University students who gain from our strong ties with our alumni. Over the past
two years a former Program Director has mentored the high school students that produce and present The
Breakfast Club on Radio K.
Radio K is unique because at the same time it produces a tangible, creative art form – good radio – while
providing a physical space on campus for students with similar interests to gather, study, work and relax.
The students take pride in being part of a successful radio station as they learn new skills and meet lifelong
friends. Every student on a campus as big as ours needs a place where they feel they belong, be it a
sorority, fraternity, cultural or social group. Radio K provides just such a place for students intrigued with
discovering new music and debating the various attributes of different bands and musical genres, as well as
students interested in a career in broadcasting, the latest news, creatively promoting media and music
activities, and the best techniques for recording music.
Because students have “ownership” in Radio K and can exercise their creativity while working there, the
students develop very strong attachments to the station. One Radio K student said, “Most students don’t put
as much energy into anything they do in college as we put into Radio K.”
Radio K benefits the campus community by acting as a promotional tool to support other campus
organizations. Through co-sponsorships and on-air promotional announcements Radio K makes
information about the organization’s activities available to a much broader audience. This assists those
student groups in attaining their goals, and helps the student body maintain and augment a wide range of
social and educational programs, all of which contribute to a diverse campus community. This year we
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
6
have focused specifically on engendering more cohesive relationships with The Whole Music Club in
Coffman Memorial Union and The Minnesota Daily. We have continued to co-sponsor and promote shows
with The Whole, and in November began weekly live broadcast of Radio K’s All Request Hour from The
Whole each Friday afternoon. In May Radio K agreed to supply the Minnesota Daily with audio news
material for the multi-media section of the Daily website Monday through Friday. In return, the Daily
features a color rendition of the Radio K logo on its front page and a link to the Radio K website from The
Daily’s website. The Daily also prints the Radio K top seven songs of the week on the front page of its
A&E section each Thursday.
Recognition
Radio K awards and distinctions:
• Best Radio Station – Minnesota Daily Grapevine awards, 2005
• Media Best Awards – first place in station promotion, underwriting spot and potpourri categories, 2005
• Best Radio Station – City Pages Best of the Twin Cities, 2000 and 2002
• Best Radio Station (Reader’s Choice) – City Pages Best of the Twin Cities, 1999, 2000 and 2004
• AMPERS Station of the Year – 1994 and 2000
• Minnesota Page One Award – with University Relations for Maroon and Gold Memories celebrating
the Sesquicentennial of the U of M, 2002
• Minnesota Music Award – Best Specialty Record for Stuck on AM II: Live Performances on 770 Radio
K, 2000
• Best Hip Hop Radio Program – The Beat Box (on Radio K), City Pages Best of the Twin Cities, 2000,
2001, 2002 and 2004
• Best Rock Station – Twin Cities Reader, 1994
• Runner Up, Station of the Year – Fourth National College Radio Awards, 1994
• Part of rationale for the University Of Minnesota making the top ten in Rolling Stone’s Schools that
Rock
• Reporting member of College Music Journal (CMJ) core 100 stations
• One of twenty public radio stations listed in the iTunes directory of Internet broadcasters
• “Best college radio imaginable” Greil Marcus, from Artforum Magazine
In addition to the awards and distinctions, Twin Cities' mainstream media regularly cover Radio K in a
positive light. Just like the success of a Gopher sports team improves the University’s image, Radio K
provides a positive image for the University and creates respect from the community, which reflects well
on the entire student body. Each time a listener tunes in Radio K, they hear an intelligent, articulate and
knowledgeable announcer who, in the listeners’ mind, represents all University of Minnesota students.
Radio K has also built good relationships with local businesses, especially within the local music
community, that can benefit all students.
As our reputation spreads throughout the community, high school students who are attracted to our
programming are also attracted to attend the U of M. Our reputation attracts students to the University who
are active, independent-minded, high achievers with interests in music, broadcasting, marketing and
journalism who want to come to the U of M just to be part of Radio K. Radio K volunteers and employees
put their heart and soul into the programming, music selections and on-air elements of the station. Their
dedication permeates every part of Radio K’s contribution to the community, extending beyond simply a
radio signal. JG Everest, local musician and promoter, said, “no band ever gets big in town without Radio
K.” Radio K supports the work of local musicians, many of them University students themselves. The local
community would not be nearly as vibrant without Radio K.
When Radio K began in 1993, an on-campus survey determined that most students desired a radio station
that plays music of various styles and genres that are generally ignored by mainstream radio stations,
especially music by local musicians. That survey guided the student-led development of Radio K’s format
of alternative rock mixed with hip hop, world music, punk, and many other genres, with a special emphasis
on local music. The latter is evidenced by the immediate creation of Off the Record, which plays all local
music and is Radio K’s longest running specialty show.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
7
In the same way an academic institution maintains a museum, library, or printing press to support the work
of artists that are deemed uneconomic by the commercial world, Radio K continues to champion hundreds
of artists who deserve support. By playing the music of a wide variety of artists not represented in
mainstream media in the sixteenth largest market in the country, Radio K encourages touring artists to play
concerts here that they might not choose to do if we were not here. So we are helping to give the student
body, and the community in general, a broader range of live music entertainment options.
It is clear that we rank in the top tier of student-run radio stations in the nation. Our vision, as articulated in
our 2005-10 strategic plan, is to become THE best student-run station. With the financial assistance of
student fees at the level requested, we will be able to move further along the road to that goal.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
8
Organizational Chart
Radio K Organization Chart
Revised 1/09/2006
Board of Regents
(Licensee of KUOM)
President, University of Minnesota
Robert Bruininks
Sr Vice President and Provost
E. Thomas Sullivan
Dean, College of Continuing Education
Mary Nichols
* denotes student employees
Station Manager, Radio K
Andy Marlow
Chief Engineer
Larry Oberg
Underwriting Exec.
Sara Miller
Development Coach
Stuart Sanders
Program Coach
Shelley Miller
Receptionists
*4 student employees
News Coach
Ken Stone
Supporter Services Mgr.
*Gayle Pownall
Marketing Director
*Terri Kromenaker
Underwriting Reps
*Katie Amundson
*Erin Byrne
Ass't Mkting Director
*Aimee Easter
Traffic Director
*Emily Hietpas
Webmaster
*Eric Price
Volunteer
Underwriting Staff
Volunteer Marketing
Staff
Program Director
*David Safar
Volunteer Coordinator
*Paul Lindquist
System 770
Volunteer Staff
Volunteer
Web Team
Music Director
*Chris Polley
Music/Pgm Asst
*Pushkar Ojha
Volunteer
Music Staff
Training Director
*Marcus Lewis
Production Director
*Ron Miller
Chief Studio Eng.
Amy Daml
Volunteer
Volunteer
Production Staff Studio Engs.
Volunteer
On Air Staff
News Director
*Thomas Kwong
Sports Director
David McCoy
Ass’t News Director
*Adam Somers
VolunteerNews &
Paid
Sports Staff
On Air Staff
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
9
Unit Performance Report
Radio K
Actual
2004-05
Estimated
2005-06
Estimated
2006-07
Estimated
2007-08
Training
Student employees
Trained DJs
Alumni working in related fields
21
61
19
24
72
25
24
87
31
24
97
37
Community Building
Major campus events
Campus underwriters
Business underwriters
High School Internships*
9
12
74
28
11
13
101
32
15
14
111
32
17
15
122
32
Social/Cultural organization
Volunteer meeting attendance
Volunteer questionnaires
Active volunteers & staff
Alumni assisting in training
78
203
86
8
85
180
100
10
100
200
108
14
117
220
115
16
28,000
6,000
1,650
$85,500
25,600
7,165
1,300
$78,000
28,000
7,300
1,650
$85,500
30,000
7,500
1,750
$90,000
Listeners**
Average weekly audience
Estimated student listeners
Listener contributors
Listener contributions
* In addition to the high school students who participate in The Breakfast Club and who arrange individual
internships at the station enumerated here, Radio K also helped train students who operate KDXL-FM at St.
Louis Park High School, the station with which we share the 106.5 FM frequency. During fall semester the
Radio K Music Director met with students at the high school to assess their needs, developed a curriculum for
training them in the basics of announcing and DJing, taught this curriculum to them, and held individual
evaluation sessions with each of the 7 students. The Radio K Training Director will continue this work in to
future semesters.
** Radio K audience numbers and listener contributions dipped a bit in 2005 as the result of peculiar weather
patterns that negatively impacted our AM signal, and increased competition in the market. We have experienced
competition before, during the days of The Edge 93.7 and REV 105 in the 1990s. In both previous cases, our
audience numbers and contributions fell off in the year after the stations made their debut, but rebounded to
previous levels when the novelty of the new stations wore off. We are confident our numbers will rebound
again, particularly if we are able to ensure dependable AM operations in adverse weather conditions by
implementing the AM Improvement plan outlined in our one-time fees request below.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
10
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
KUOM - Sponsored - FY07
Current Non Sponsored Fund
Excluding Multi Year accounts
RESOURCES
a Carry Forward
11
Fiscal Pages
Actual
2000-01
Actual
2001-02
Actual
2002-03
$72,842
$74,614
$50,302
$40,789
$69,110
$80,401
$0
$0
$0
$136,290
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$136,290
$0
$0
$0
$116,361
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$116,361
$0
$0
$0
$111,331
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$111,331
$0
$0
$0
$107,605
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$107,605
$0
$0
$0
$108,073
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$108,073
$0
$0
$0
$128,004
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$128,004
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
d TOTAL NET RESOURCES (a+b+c)
$209,132
$190,975
$161,633
$148,394
$177,183
$208,405
$210,551
$210,552
EXPENDITURES
Expenditures by Object Class
Salaries
Professioinal and Administrative (7000-10)
Student (7000-30, 40; 7005-10, 7010-20)
Work Study (7000-50; 7005-50, 7010-50)
Civil Service/Bargaining Unit (7010-10 30)
Salaries Subtotal
Fringe Benefits
Student Aid
Consultant/Purchased Person.
Communications
Supplies, Serv, & Misc. Exp.
Materials for Resale
Equipment & Other Capital Assets
Rents, & Leases
Repairs, Maintenance & Supplies
Other
University Assessments
e
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$0
$56,899
$0
$9,197
$66,096
$3,137
$0
$9,294
$10,340
$45,651
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$134,518
$0
$65,748
$2,798
$4,207
$72,753
$2,187
$0
$11,054
$7,562
$35,295
$0
$11,822
$0
$0
$0
$0
$140,673
$0
$71,690
$0
$0
$71,690
$998
$0
$7,107
$11,761
$29,288
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$120,844
$0
$32,613
$0
$5,072
$37,684
$1,946
$0
$7,402
$6,378
$25,874
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$79,284
$0
$45,382
$0
$6,946
$52,328
$3,375
$0
$7,706
$0
$33,372
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$96,782
$0
$61,650
$0
$6,000
$67,650
$2,094
$0
$0
$6,200
$50,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$125,944
$64,104
$68,973
5982
$70,086
$2,183
$0
$0
$6,372
$49,448
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$128,089
6161
$75,134
$2,280
$0
$0
$6,600
$43,948
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$127,962
$74,614
$50,302
$40,789
$69,110
$80,401
$82,461
$82,462
$82,590
Revenues by Revenue Class
Tuition
Appropriations (other than O & M)
Grants & Contracts
Student Course & Lab Fees
Indirect Cost Recovery
External & Educational Sales
Events and admissions (4610)
Internal Sales
Gifts & Bequests
Endowment Income
Investment
Income
Hospital & Hosp.
Clinic Sales & Services
Other Revenues
b
Total Revenues
Period 14
2003-04
Actual Budget Plan Budget Plan Budget Plan
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07 2007-2008
$82,461
$82,462
$128,090
$128,090
$128,090
$128,090
Transfers
c
Central Allocations
Central Allocations Out
Mandatory Transfers In
Mandatory Transfers Out
Non-Mandatory Transfers In
Non-Mandatory Transfers Out
NM Transfer Out for Equipment Reserve
Net Transfers
ENDING BALANCE (d - e) 7
Report Date:
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
0
$0
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
Reserve Accounts
Not applicable, but see financial footnote #6 below.
12
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
13
Financial Footnotes
The footnotes below correspond with the superscript numerals in the description column of the regular and
sponsored projects fiscal pages.
1
The student fees income amount for FY 2006-07 includes the one-time request for $81,000 to maintain and
improve our AM tower. The FY 2007-08 student fees amount includes the one-time request for $115,290 to
replace obsolete equipment in our main production studio and convert to digital operation.
2
The gift income represents two one-time gifts that were donated to aid our relocations of the 106.5 FM
transmitter and build the translator stations for which we had applied. We did make the move and were able to
build only one translator because of delays in obtaining a construction permit from the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC). The funds for the second translator are being retained until such time as the construction
permit is issued. The retained amount of $18,111 represents the bulk of funds carried over from FY 2004-05 to
FY 2005-06. Since we do not know when the FCC will act, we have not budgeted spending these funds, but will
carry them over until they can be spent for their intended purpose.
3
The amount budgeted for consultants in FY 2006-07 includes $66,500 that would be paid to our tower
contractors if we are granted the one-time request of $81,000 to maintain and improve our AM tower.
4
The amount budgeted for equipment in FY 2006-07 includes $14,500 that would be used to purchase
equipment required for the one-time request of $81,000 to maintain and improve our AM tower. The $115,290
budgeted for equipment in FY 2007-08 represents funds that would be used to purchase the equipment required
if we are granted the one-time request to replace obsolete equipment in our main production studio and convert
it to digital.
5
As part of the College of Continuing Education, Radio K is part of the spring budget cycle. Because we have
not yet constructed our overall FY 2006-07 budget, decisions have not yet been made at the College level for
how to handle the Cost Allocation Charges. Jill Merriam, who prepared the preliminary fiscal pages for Student
Affairs, suggested that instead of waiting for the College to decide we should budget a $5,000 reserve to cover
these costs. We hope the actual amount will be less than $5,000, but there is no way to be certain at this time.
6
Our goal is to budget to $0 for year-end, but there are so many variables that we are usually a few hundred
dollars over or under budget. We are by allowed by our College to carry over any surplus and required by them
to carry over any deficit. The bulk of the funs carried over in FY 2004-05 and beyond are dollars in our gift
fund, money that is intended to be spent for our second FM translator station when it is approved by the FCC
(see 2 above).
7
The ending balance in the sponsored project budget is always quite large as the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting (CPB) grant is awarded for one year, but we are allowed two years in which to spend it. As a
matter of fiscal prudence, we have tried to spread our spending from this grant over the entire two-year period
resulting in the large carryover. Also complicating matters is that the University’s fiscal year from July 1 to
June 30, while the federal fiscal year, on which the grant is based, runs from October 1 to September 30.
Frequently Congress is late in approving federal budgets and we are consequently late in receiving our grant.
Radio K is audited each year by an outside auditing firm as one of the requirements of the grant from CPB. The
station has always passed the audit with flying colors and is on sound financial ground.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
14
Fees Request
2006-2007
2007-2008*
Name of fee
Current fee allocation
Amount of fees request
Radio K Operating
$135,000_______
$143,100_______
Radio K Operating
$135,000_______
$147,400_______
Name of fee
Current fee allocation
Amount of fees request
AM Improvement
$0.00__________
$81,000________
Studio K Refurbish
$0.00__________
$115,290________
1.
Radio K Operating Request
This is a request for the Administrative Units Fees committee to provide general operating funds for Radio K.
Completely fulfilling this request allows Radio K to maintain our current programs and high standard of
performance. Radio K has received funds from student fees since its inception in 1993 and in years prior as the
student organization WMMR. During the past two funding cycles (for FY 2004-05 and FY 2005-06) our
request was not fully funded at the requested level of $137,000. The 2004-05 committee cut our request by
$2,000, recommending we make more efforts to identify ourselves with the University of Minnesota. They
made a specific recommendation to add the University wordmark to the banners we hang at shows we cosponsor at venues around the Twin Cities, so that concert-goers would know that we are a University station.
We added the wordmark to our banners and feature the wordmark more prominently on our website.
In the 2005-06 funding cycle, the committee recommended dramatic further cuts, based on our lack of visibility
on campus. Those cuts were reversed in the administrative process and our fees award restored to the 2004-05
level of $135,000.
We have made major efforts to increase our visibility on campus during this entire period over and above our
ongoing involvement in campus activities described in the programmatic breakdown section of this request.
Here is a brief list of the new initiatives we have undertaken:
•
Radio K completed its third strategic planning process since Radio K was established in 1993. We
identified as our highest priority the strategic goal of “Increase awareness of and pride in Radio K among U
of M students, faculty, and staff.” Many of the initiatives described below are action steps toward fulfilling
that goal.
•
We produced a welcome CD for distribution to residence hall students through their welcome bags and
commuter students at other campus events. The CD contains 14 music tracks typical of music heard on
Radio K, four music videos (two of which were shot in our studios), and a video introduction to Radio K,
which plays on insertion of the CD into a computer and invites students to volunteer at the station.
Approximately 8,000 of these CDs were distributed through the welcome bags and another 4,000 at the
University Book Store, tables in Coffman Union and various campus events, such as Paint the Bridge.
•
We agreed with the Minnesota Daily to provide audio of our daily long-form newscasts to be posted on the
multimedia section of the Daily’s website. This agreement helps provide additional news coverage in an
alternative medium on the Daily’s website, and visibility to Radio K for the 25,000 visitors to the website
each week. In addition, the Daily is running the Radio K logo in color on the front page of every edition,
directing readers to the audio content on the website.
•
We are working very closely with The Whole Music Club in Coffman Union to co-sponsor and promote
shows in this on-campus venue. We have volunteers present at each sponsored show to hand out Radio K
stickers and other promotional material, and hang Radio K banners on the stage. In November 2005 we
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
15
initiated on-going weekly live broadcasts from The Whole of our All Request Hour program on Fridays
from noon to 1:00 p.m. The live audience in The Whole and telephone callers make requests for music that
determine the programming for that hour. It has been very well received by the staff and patrons of The
Whole.
•
We have undertaken two projects to work with students enrolled in academic courses. Radio K is working
with Professor Peter Gregg’s Advanced Media Production Class (COMM 3204) to produce a series of
programs for television called Video K. Course students and Radio K staff and volunteers have worked
together to create a series of programs that focus on Radio K and the music we play. We plan to podcast
them and, as with the previous series of Video K programs, they will air on public access cable television.
We also hope to have them broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television in summer 2006.
•
We are acting as the client for Professor Daniel Jasper’s graphic design class (DHA 2351). In fall semester
2005, the students in this class designed posters and print advertisements for our on-air fundraiser. In spring
2006 we will continue to meet and give them a better understanding of Radio K. We expect they will
produce such graphic design items as a new Radio K logo, flyers, posters, handouts, print advertisements,
and design elements to be incorporated into our website. This gives students the opportunity to use their
work in a real-world situation.
•
Radio K and the Minnesota Broadcasters Association worked together to create and are broadcasting a
weekly 30-minute program called Gopher Sports Update. Student reportage, commentary and interviews
keep listeners up-to-date on events and personalities involved with intercollegiate athletics at the U of M.
Radio K students gain valuable experience by working on this show, which is syndicated to 20 stations
across Minnesota. These programs will also be podcast in the very near future.
•
The Radio K sports department has been re-born. It provides live updates over the air on Gopher sporting
events in progress, plus compiles and broadcasts daily Gopher sports reports. Intercollegiate Athletics is
pleased to have coverage from another campus news organization and listeners have come to depend on
these updates and call to get the schedule of when they will take place.
•
In another collaborative project with the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, Radio K broadcast live for
six hours from the Washington Avenue Bridge on Friday September 9 as part of Storm Aid: A River of
Relief. This effort by more than 30 Minnesota radio stations raised nearly one million dollars for victims of
Hurricane Katrina. Jim du Bois, MBA President and CEO, maintains that putting together this major
project on University property would have been impossible without the networking resulting from his
serving on the Radio K Advisory Committee. Radio K announcers interviewed U of M subject matter
experts on climate, economics, engineering and other subjects, plus dignitaries like Minneapolis Mayor R.
T. Rybak and University President Robert Bruininks. By broadcasting from a prominent campus landmark
visible to many students, faculty and staff, and by being paired with our distinguished commercial brethren,
Radio K achieved a higher level of recognition on campus.
•
This year we broadcast live from the University of Minnesota stage at the Minnesota State Fair every day
of the fair from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. In addition to two on-air DJs, there were two volunteers passing out
station promotional materials to passersby.
•
Radio K regularly staffs a table in the Coffman Union student group area on the ground floor and had tables
at the University Book Store entrance during the first two weeks of classes to increase Radio K visibility
and distribute our welcome CDs.
•
It has long been a goal of Radio K to coordinate with the curriculum of various schools and departments to
enable Radio K volunteers to gain college credit for their accomplishments at the station. 2005 was a
breakthrough year. One student created a credit-earning internship through the College of Education and
Human Development to mentor students at our partner station KDXL-FM at St. Louis Park High School.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
16
Next semester this mentoring project will continue as a credit-earning independent study for another of our
students in Communications Studies. Two Radio K students earned independent study credits from
Communications Studies for acting as liaisons between Radio K and the media production course
producing Video K. Another is earning independent study credit from the Department of Design, Housing
and Apparel for representing Radio K as the client for the design students in CHA 2351. Our volunteer
sports director is earning directed studies credit from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication
for his volunteer efforts in organizing and managing the Radio K sports department. And the student
managing the production of our next CD compilations, Stuck on AM 5, to be released in April is using this
experience as his senior project.
•
Radio K developed a street team of volunteers who make a visible presence for Radio k in pedestrian areas
and distribute Radio K program information and marketing materials. The street team has made
appearances on the West bank, East bank and St. Paul campuses, as well as at off-campus locations
frequented by students, such as Uptown Minneapolis.
•
One of our volunteers has applied to be a member of the Student Senate representing Radio K. 50
undergraduate students have signed a petition endorsing Mike Deneen’s application, and Radio K updated
its constitution in order to meet the requirements.
Let us emphasize that these were new efforts on campus added to our regular and on-going participation in
events such as Orientation, Convocation, Paint The Bridge, Homecoming, Community Involvement Fair, QSCC
Coming Out Rally, Transportation Fair, Funk at the Fred and the Student Activities Fairs on both campuses.
While the student fees survey was taken before the full effect of the above efforts could be seen, the results
show that 14% of those surveyed have listened to Radio K. In the population at large only about 1% of the
potential listeners within our coverage area listen, so a University of Minnesota student is 14 times more likely
to listen to Radio K than other people in our coverage area. This total of 7,165 U of M student listeners
represents almost one third of our total audience.
Having received identical amounts of $135,000 each of the past two funding cycles means Radio K actually lost
financial ground to inflation each year. Therefore we are requesting $143,100 for FY 2006-07, which represents
a 6% increase (3% for each year lost) over our current allocation in order to adjust for inflation. We are also
requesting a 3% inflationary increase for FY 2007-08 for a total of $147,400.
Since 1993 Radio K has been paying its student employees $7.00 per hour for non-managerial positions and
$7.25 per hour for managerial positions. This is a long time to go without an increase. While we have not had
problems attracting quality applicants for open positions, many have to work an additional job and sometimes
two to make ends meet. An increase in starting salary at this time seems to be a matter of fundamental fairness.
If granted the increase requested, we would use the additional six percent to increase beginning student wages
by that percentage rate to $7.42 an hour and $7.95 an hour in FY 2006-07 and by 3% to $7.64 an hour and
$8.19 an hour in FY 2007-08.
Description of Impact at a 10 Percent Reduction in Fees Request – Radio K Operating
As we have already streamlined our budget that covers administration and operations expenses, a 10 percent
reduction in fees would force us to cut student positions or curtail promotional and marketing activities. Since
all paid student positions assume at least 10 hours of unpaid volunteering, our resources will decrease more than
the hours of paid work. Staff morale would suffer, as would our ability to attract new volunteers, sustain our
award-winning programming and adequately promote the station to students and listeners in the general public.
Decreasing the amount spent for promotional and marketing activities would not allow us to maintain even our
current level of visibility in the University and larger communities, leaving us unable to satisfy the
Administrative Units Fees Committee’s request that we take steps to increase visibility on campus and the local
community.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
2.
17
AM Improvement
We are making a one-time request of $81,000 to improve and maintain Radio K’s AM transmitter and tower
plant. We would like to expend these funds in FY 2006-07, the first year of the biennial process.
While our FM presence is building in the Twin Cities, our AM signal can be heard by anyone living within a
90-mile radius of the Twin Cities campus. It is still how the vast majority of our listeners tune in to Radio K.
Keeping it healthy and vital is key to Radio K’s success in the future, particularly preparing our facility to adopt
AM HD (high definition) digital broadcasting. Over the years, the University administration has invested
heavily in our transmitter building, tower and related equipment. The total expenditure over the last ten years
exceeds $200,000.
There are three components to this request: painting the tower, replacing stand-off insulators for our radiating
elements, and installing a new antenna tuning unit.
•
Painting the Tower
In order to continue to meet Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission
requirements and to maintain the structural integrity our AM tower, we must keep our tower painted
according to federal specifications. Our tower was last painted in 1978. The life of such a paint job is
approximately 20 years and we are long overdue. The colors are fading and our latest tower inspection
reports that patches of rust are appearing. Not only does Radio K depend on this tower, but so do our
tenants KBEM-FM, WFMP-FM, WCCO-TV and Professor Joe McFadden of the Department of Ecology,
Evolution and Behavior, who has a major, long-term environmental monitoring project at the 400-foot
level. Filling this portion of our request will keep the tower in compliance with federal regulations and in
good condition for many years to come. Le Crescent Erection Company estimates that scraping the flaking
paint and rust away, repainting in approved colors using paint application gloves, and clean-up afterward
will cost $60,000.
•
Replacing Stand-off Insulators
The stand-off insulators, which hold the wires that radiate our AM signal, are made of fiberglass. Over time
sunlight and weather have deteriorated the fiberglass so that it has become porous and absorbs moisture,
thus decreasing the insulating properties of the stand-offs. In rainy, snowy, foggy and otherwise damp
weather conditions the signal from the radiators leaks across the stand-off insulators, causing a degradation
of our broadcast signal’s range and quality. In the decade since our initial installation of these stand-offs,
insulating technology has improved significantly. Current installations are considered “permanent.” By
replacing the stand-off insulators now, we will improve the reliability of our signal for years to come.
The costs associated with this project include 1) contracting with a tower company to remove the existing
45 stand-off insulators, replace them with new hybrid composite stand-off insulators and re-string the
radiating wires, and 2) the cost of the new stand-off insulators. Le Crescent Erection Company, who
frequently does maintenance on our tower and knows it quite well, estimates this project will cost $10,000.
•
Antenna Tuning Unit
In 1994 we changed the way we transmit our AM signal from radiating directly from our tower to what is
called a folded unipole antenna system. The antenna is matched to the transmitter by a series of
transformers, capacitors and other electrical devices, called the Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU). Matching is
very critical to an antenna’s efficiency, and each ATU is custom designed for that installation. When we
changed to the folded unipole system, we did not change the ATU, as it appeared that the match between
the antenna and transmitter, while not perfect, was adequate for our needs.
One of the most common complaints we get about our AM signal is that it does not match the quality of our
geographically-limited FM broadcast. With the advent of High Definition (HD) digital broadcasting, AM
radio has the capacity to exceed the sound quality of current FM stereo broadcasting. Radio K would like to
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
18
adopt this technology in order to provide a higher quality signal for the majority of our listeners. The
existing ATU will not support this upgrade. We are therefore requesting $11,000 to purchase a new
custom-built ATU from Kintronics Corporation that will allow us to improve our existing analog signal and
implement HD broadcasting. We expect the remaining costs of HD conversion, estimated at $80,000, to be
covered by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Description of Impact at a 10 Percent Reduction of Fees Request – AM Improvement
The stand-off insulator and tower painting phases of this request must be done to insure our continued operation
at present levels and to avoid violating federal regulations and incurring fines for doing so. One cannot paint
part of the tower, nor replace some of the stand-off insulators. We must do all or nothing, and nothing involves
serious consequences for the station and its license.
The ATU replacement phase of this request is not necessary to maintain our current level of service, but is
essential to our future. Over the next few years, as more stations move to HD (High Definition) digital
broadcasting, Radio K would gradually be left behind and become irrelevant as a factor in the radio market. The
past investment of student fees, University funds and listener support would, in effect, be rendered ineffective.
3.
Studio K Refurbishment
We are making a one-time request of $115,290 to replace obsolete equipment in Studio K, our main production
studio, and convert the studio to digital capability. We would like to expend these funds in FY 2007-08, the
second year of the biennial process.
Studio K is the main production facility at Radio K and the premier audio recording space on campus. It is
extremely versatile and used for a wide variety of live and recorded audio sessions. This is where bands play for
live broadcast and are recorded for later use. All the recorded announcements heard on Radio K are produced
there. Two radio dramas and several outstanding series of radio programs have been recorded in this space.
Many University departments and organizations use this studio when professional quality sound is required for
educational or promotional purposes. Several times a year we are contracted by outside news organizations such
as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation or National Public Radio to record interviews with University faculty
and other local experts. The studio is used to train our student recording engineers and production volunteers,
and provide them with practical experience.
The most important products produced in this studio are the sessions with local and touring bands that are
broadcast live. Recordings of these sessions become a unique part of the Radio K music library. Periodically we
produce a CD compilation of the best of these performances to generate income to support the station, which
also promotes the station and the University as a rich source of musical culture. Every step of the CD
production process, including recording, mixing, editing, mastering, artwork, production and marketing, is
overseen by Radio K students. This is a rich and valuable experience not available any place else at the
University.
The studio was designed and equipped in 1977 for a very different radio station. It was equipped for interviews,
radio drama and small group performance. The mixing console was high quality, but is analog and monophonic.
Analog equipment is rapidly becoming obsolete and difficult and expensive to maintain and repair. Plus parts
are no longer available for this model. The main patch panel, which routes audio into and out of the mixing
console, is worn nearly beyond repair and patch cords, which make the actual connections, are no longer
available for this configuration. Both broadcasting and recording technology have entered the digital era. The
original recording equipment has been supplanted by a computer used to do the actual recording and post
production mixing. But the analog sound equipment remains the weak link in the chain.
As we prepare for implementation of High Definition (HD) digital broadcasting, it is imperative that we become
all digital in order to compete in the marketplace and to train our students for the world in which they live and,
more importantly, work. We need to teach our students the techniques required for digital recording, some
quite different from analog, that are used in the modern recording industry. We also need to provide our clients,
University departments and organizations and others, the best possible facility in order to attract and keep their
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
19
business. We do not seek to build the Rolls Royce of facilities, but one which will be adequate for our current
needs and last into the distant future, as the existing studio has done.
We are working with the Wheatstone Corporation, builders of audio consoles and switching equipment, to
develop a master plan for all of Radio K. The plan is to integrate the production studio with our two on-air
studios for consistency and maximum versatility. Students trained to operate one studio would therefore also be
familiar with operation of the others. Versatility can be achieved with modern digital routing and control
systems. We are in the process of seeking non-University funds to refurbish and convert our two on-air studios
to all digital. The request we are making is for the portion of the project that would apply to Studio K. A list of
specified equipment is attached as Appendix C.
Description of Impact at a 10 Percent Reduction of Fees Request – Studio K Refurbishment
The equipment in Studio K has been in service for nearly 30 years and has already lasted well beyond its
expected lifetime. As equipment fails and replacement parts are unavailable, the usefulness of the studio will
deteriorate rapidly. This means a loss of the ability to broadcast and record live bands and the loss of our ability
to raise funds from studio rental and from the sale of compilation CDs. The quality of the student experience at
Radio K will be substantially diminished.
This project is a package of equipment that complements and integrates each component with the other. The
essential elements of the package, the mixing console, routing systems and connecting cabling, make up the
bulk of the cost of this project and cannot be separated out without crippling the whole project. Without these
integral parts, there is no sense doing the project. A 10% reduction will lead to the continued use of old
equipment in the studio, such as microphones, speakers and processing equipment. While not essential to the
project, these items will have to be acquired at some point to enable the new studio to realize its full potential. It
would only be a matter of delaying the purchases, not eliminating them.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
20
Programmatic Breakdown
Programming
This is the main focus of the station’s work, with other departments serving as support for this activity. The
Program Director is the joint senior student staff person with the Marketing Director, and shares an assistant
with the Music Director. The Program Director leads a core group of nine other staff: Music Director, MusicProgram Assistant, Production Director, News Director, Training Director, Traffic Director, and three paid
Morning Show DJs. The majority of our programming is pre-determined by the playlist, also called “rotation.”
The DJs use the playlist which specifies about 60% of what is played every hour. The balance of the time is left
open for requests by listeners or DJs picking their favorites from the Radio K library. This serves the audience
well by building song recognition and controlling repetition. Making the playlist is the Music Director’s main
responsibility, helped by the Music-Program Assistant and a large cadre of volunteers who review and rate the
new releases each week. Reviewing music is how many new volunteers start their involvement with the station.
Any student is welcome to volunteer at Radio K. We are not affiliated with any course structure. It usually
takes six to nine months for a new volunteer to become a trained DJ. The training process includes an intensive
three-week period of instruction with the Training Director, shadowing of an experienced DJ during her or his
on-air shifts and then two to three months of training shifts which are scheduled for late night and early morning
hours when there are fewer people listening. The Training Director monitors the training shifts and meets
regularly with trainees to help them improve their performance. Every DJ receives instruction on how to operate
our on-air studio and monitor our AM and FM transmitters. This kind of broadcast training is not offered
through any other department at the University of Minnesota.
Many of our volunteers and staff enrich their course work by relating Radio K activity to their studies. This can
range from writing a senior paper on the “riot grrrl” musical movement to developing a Radio K event for a
marketing class senior project to creating a training program in radio broadcasting for high school students as
part of a teacher education degree program. The self-confidence that students gain from being successful at
Radio K can help them in whatever they choose to do in life. Lessons learned at Radio K are applicable to many
fields beyond broadcasting or the music industry.
The vast majority of our programming is what is termed “rotation.” The rotation is a variety of music governed
by the playlist consisting of music of all genres with an emphasis on exposing new and local talent. We are the
only station that plays local music throughout our regular programming, instead of relegating it to an hour on
Sunday evening or in the middle of the night.
While regular programming rules during the week, our weekend schedule features specialty shows that focus on
a single style of music or special interest. Most of our specialty shows were developed at the initiative of Radio
K volunteers. Radio K students are constantly encouraged to develop new ideas for programs. These specialty
shows are listed on the next page.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
21
Radio K Specialty Shows
Friday
Noon
All Request Hour
3:00 p.m.
Off The Record
Saturday
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Noon
2:00 p.m.
The Breakfast Club
Rude Radio
The Beat Box
Some Assembly Required
3:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Hott Roxx
Soulful Science
Locust Lecture
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
Access Minnesota
9.30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Noon
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Gopher Sports Update
Radio K International
The Music Lover’s Club
Out Of Step
Now Like Photographs
Radio K’s Grain Elevator
8:00 p.m.
Where Threads Come Loose
Broadcast live from The Whole Music Club in Coffman
Union
All local music including a live band performance and
interview
Produced by area high school students
The three waves of ska along with reggae, dub and dancehall
Hip-hop, voted Best Hip-Hop Show by City Pages four times
Collage and sample based music produced at Radio K and
syndicated nationally the only show of its kind on college
radio
The best of Radio K-style ‘70s classic rock
House music with live mixes from local and national DJs
Industrial, techno, goth and darkwave
Public affairs program produced with the Minnesota
Broadcasters Association
The latest news on Golden Gopher sports teams and players
A world tour of traditional sounds and emerging genres
Top Seven, Kebuts, music news, interviews and guests
Punk music from the last three decades
Epic instrumental music
Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, blues, and old time
music
Audio theatre combining humor and the macabre
During the past year we added a new specialty show, Gopher Sports Update, which contains news and features
about University of Minnesota athletics. It is produced at Radio K in cooperation with the Minnesota
Broadcasters Association (MBA) and is distributed to more than 30 radio stations across the state.
Our other program collaboration with the MBA and the College of Liberal Arts, Access Minnesota, was
honored by the Minnesota Alumni Association (MAA) with an outstanding program award at the MAA’s
annual banquet in October 2005. In addition, MBA President and CEO Jim du Bois, a member of the Radio K
Advisory Committee, was named National Alumni Volunteer of the Year for his work in putting together the
partnerships that resulted in Access Minnesota and Gopher Sports Update.
Radio K added another specialty show in January 2006. The new show is Latin Voices, which is presented
bilingually in English and Spanish and focuses on the music of Spanish speaking countries in Central and South
America. It is produced and hosted by a University graduate student who is not a Radio K volunteer, but
initiated the program proposal to us in fall 2005.
Over the past three years Radio K news has evolved from being peripheral to being central to Radio K
programming. Air time devoted to news and sports has quadrupled in this period. Program times have been
shifted so they are more convenient and accessible for student listeners. We produce four news updates every
morning, one afternoon update and a feature-length newscast at 6:00 p.m. every weekday. News volunteers
have doubled to nearly 50, and we have added coverage of U of M sports. Our longer form newscast from 6:00
p.m. each evening is also posted on the Minnesota Daily website so it can be downloaded and listened to at any
time.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
22
Marketing
The Marketing Department is led by the Marketing Director and the Marketing Assistant, who manage a large
body of volunteers. Radio K’s marketing efforts are driven by our number one strategic goal: “Increase
awareness of and pride in Radio K among U of M students, faculty, and staff.” To achieve this goal, the
marketing department involves the station in all major events on campus and provides promotional support to
student groups and departments. The job of the Marketing Department is to call positive attention to the
programming on our air and to reach out to new audiences by actively being seen around campus and the
greater metropolitan area.
Over the next year we will focus on re-invigorating our branding as “Real College Radio.” The station has
applied for a trademark on this phrase in cooperation with the Office of the General Counsel. This phrase
emphasizes our connection to the University, identifies the age of our target audience and aligns the station with
the energetic and appealing independent college music genre. Our newest series of station identification and
promotional spots will use this branding extensively.
Radio K participates in these University events annually: Funk at the Fred, Orientation, Convocation, Paint The
Bridge, Homecoming, broadcasting live from the U of M stage at the Minnesota State Fair, Community
Involvement Fair, QSCC Coming Out Rally, Transportation Fair, and the Student Activities Fairs on both
campuses. We also regularly provide promotional support to many departments and student organizations while
maintaining ongoing cross-promotional agreements with the Student Activities Office, The Minnesota Daily,
Twin Cities Student Unions, School of Music, the Book Store, University Theatre Arts and Dance, and our own
College of Continuing Education.
The station sponsors the Sunday night all-ages In the Garage series at The Dinkytowner, a venue located near
campus for ease of student attendance. In the Garage has been chosen “Best All Ages Night” by the editors of
City Pages. By making local businesses more aware of student needs and students’ potential as a customer base,
Radio K benefits even those students who do not listen to us. We sponsor shows weekly with most major rock
venues in the Twin Cities, such as First Avenue, Seventh Street Entry, Triple Rock Social Club, 400 Bar, Cedar
Cultural Center, Turf Club, Big V’s, Fine Line, Varsity Theatre and the Minnesota Museum of American Art,
and larger shows at Roy Wilkins Auditorium and the State, Orpheum and Historic Pantages Theatres. We were
at the Warped Tour and the Bastille Day Block Party this year and were sponsors of the Minnesota AIDS Walk,
the MS Tram, and the GLBT Pride Parade. We also create our own events to help those less fortunate than
ourselves; the fifth annual "Hip Hop for the Homeless" at First Avenue and "Punk for the People" at the
Weisman Art Museum are two examples.
A joint marketing and programming project designed to build outreach to area high schools has resulted in a
precedent-setting show that debuted on the station in September 2001 called The Breakfast Club. It is produced
and presented by a group of six to eight high school students from different area schools. The program reflects
their concerns and musical tastes. It has involved more than 70 students from 20 schools. Ten of these students
have already enrolled at the University, proving that it is a successful marketing tool that both makes more
young people aware of our station and encourages more students to pick the University of Minnesota as their
college of choice.
Production
All sound that is heard on the station, other than the music we play, is produced in-house by our Production
Department. The Production Director trains a group of volunteers to help in this process, providing the students
with a chance to learn and use digital techniques that are standard in the industry, including Pro-Tools. Another
group of students learns to use this digital editing equipment in tandem with understanding the intricacies of
studio music recording. Once a week or more we have bands play in Studio K for live broadcast. Their
performance is also recorded by the volunteer sound engineers and saved for later use on the air or on stationproduced CDs. This experience is superior to internships that students could get in local recording studios and
several of our graduates now operate their own studios.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
23
In the spring of 2005, we entered seven examples of our production pieces in the Media Best competition
sponsored by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. We swept first place in all three categories.
Periodically we produce and release a compilation CD called Stuck on AM using material that was recorded in
our studios. This gives students who worked on the projects the incredible experience of releasing their own
CD while raising awareness about the station. Every department at the station is involved in the compilation CD
project through production, mastering, marketing, programming and distribution. The fifth compilation is now
being produced and will be available to listeners during our spring PowerSurge on-air fundraiser.
As a unit of the College of Continuing Education we offer our facilities and expertise to other departments and
colleges to help enhance their course offerings. We have continued long-standing relationships with many
campus organizations which have resulted in our production facilities and skilled staff being asked to provide
material to be used both in classrooms and on the World Wide Web. For the last four years the audio on the CD
given to all new students was voiced by Radio K students and recorded in Studio K. The series of Maroon and
Gold Memories radio spots produced with University Relations for the Sesquicentennial of the U of M won an
Award of Excellence from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. In October, 2003, as part
of the Radio K Tenth Anniversary celebration, we recorded more than 250 hours of interviews with alumni and
staff detailing the history of the station, creating an audio archive that will added to through the years.
Underwriting
There are two student Underwriting Representatives who work with the full time Underwriting Account
Executive and Development Coach. The function of this department is to contact local businesses to ask the
businesses to support Radio K by having their non-commercial messages heard on our air. The Underwriting
Representatives seek to sign the businesses to underwriting contracts and manage that business’ account. The
on-air messages that arise from this activity are scheduled by the student Traffic Director, who creates a log of
when underwriting announcements should be broadcast and audits the logs when completed to make sure we
are fulfilling our side of the contracts. This is a very important source of revenue for Radio K, plus it provides
sales experience that can be easily transferred to a variety of careers when the students graduate or leave Radio
K. We have worked with over 446 underwriters and currently have ongoing contracts with 101 area businesses
ranging from small local independent retailers such as North Country Co-op and Thrifty Outfitters to large nonprofit organizations like the Walker Art Center to national companies like Dex Media. The underwriting staff
works with several campus clients, offering a substantial discount to student organizations because we are
partially funded by student fees.
An additional source of revenue is Radio K’s participation in a statewide underwriting effort by AMPERS
(Association of Minnesota Public and Educational Radio Stations) which received initial funding from the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The AMPERS Vice-President for Statewide Underwriting contracts
underwriting for all 12 stations that has resulted in modest increases in the revenues that each station derives
from underwriting. Our professional staff have been very influential in making this project come to fruition. It is
a precedent-setting project that is federally funded and tracked by many who work in public radio across the
country. We expect this revenue to increase in future years.
Listener Support
Radio K’s second major source of self-generated funds comes from listener supporters who buy “Watts”
(virtual shares of the station for $10 each) through on-air fundraisers called PowerSurges or via our web site.
This process is the responsibility of the Supporter Services Manager, a student staff person who maintains the
watt owner database and processes payments from watt owners as they are made. We have an optional monthly
installment plan so the Supporter Services Manager has to run a batch of charge card accounts every month and
process the payments. S/he also prepares and mails monthly renewal statements, answers questions from watt
owners and corresponds with them as necessary. S/he also makes sure watt buyers get the “thank-you gifts”
they have earned by supporting us. Finally, the Supporter Services Manager edits a semi-monthly email
newsletter to watt owners, utilizing input from the rest of the Radio K staff to keep our supporters informed
about what is happening at the station.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
24
Another benefit of supporting the station is the Radio K Music Lovers’ Card, which is given to every watt
buyer. It entitles them to discounts at businesses that support Radio K, many of them music and student oriented
businesses. The Supporter Services Manager works with the Underwriting Department, which contracts with
businesses for their participation, and the Marketing Department, which promotes the availability of the
discounts. For a list of current discounts, please see:
http://radiok.cce.umn.edu/support/musicloverscard/discounts.shtml.
Conclusion
Radio K is a diverse and energizing environment that provides students, listeners and the University with a rich
and rewarding media experience. Students direct and operate a real radio station in the 16th largest media market
in the country. There is no similar experience available anywhere.
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
25
APPENDIX A
Change in Reach of KUOM-FM as a result of moving Transmitter
Before Move
After Move
Before Move
After Move
Population
Housing Units
83,326
312,531
39,885
142,784
Black
Hispanic
Native
Asian
2,804
48,359
2,074
23,235
329
5,123
2,640
15,226
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
26
APPENDIX B
Radio K Strategic Goals and Initiatives
2005 Strategic Planning
Vision Statement:
Be recognized as the best student-run radio station in the nation.
Mission Statement:
Radio K is an empowering educational opportunity for University of Minnesota students to create and sustain
unique broadcast and other media programming. We provide music and information that help create and reflect
our vibrant and diverse community.
Strategic Goals
1.
•
2.
•
•
Increase awareness of and pride in Radio K among U of M students, faculty, and staff
Use existing campus groups and events to remind/inform of our existence
o Promote Radio K more heavily within dorms
 Create and distribute Radio K sampler CD to all dorm residents and other students
 Seek out opportunities to DJ at dorm events
o Increase campus access to our signal by adding an on-campus translator station
o Co-sponsor/partner on more University events (sports, Spring Jam, Homecoming) as well as
provide more information to listeners on those events
 Work with The Whole Music Club to co-sponsor shows and create Radio K events in
The Whole
 Create an on-air University events calendar to be broadcast at least once a day
Build Exposure to Key External Communities
Increase and expand relationships with civic, activist, arts, and media groups
o Sponsor and co-sponsor events with these groups
 The Whole Music Club, Minnesota Daily, MPAC, student cultural organizations,
residence halls, MSA, and others
o Expand Radio K events calendar to publicize events by these groups
 Increase contacts with groups to solicit a broader range of information for the events
calendar
Increase awareness with students
o Other Twin City colleges
 Specifically target Macalester College, Augsburg College, Hamline University,
Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), Minneapolis College of
Art and Design (MCAD) and the College of Visual Arts.
o High schools
 Make special efforts to mentor and/or train students at St. Louis Park High School
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
3.
•
•
4.
•
•
•
5.
•
•
•
27
Improve Financial Stability
Work toward inclusion of Radio K capital campaign in the University Campaign to begin in 2007
o Specifically work with the CCE Development Officer to develop a plan and have it reviewed by
the University Foundation
Increase listener and underwriting support
o Increase listener support by 50% by increasing the amount of each donation or by increasing the
number of days and/or listener fund-raising drives
o Increase underwriting support by 70%
 Increase in-house underwriting sales by 10% a year
 Increase income from AMPERS/IPR joint underwriting project to 10% of annual
underwriting income
Contribute to University Goals (which include student recruitment, student retention, student
graduation, outcomes [after graduation], public/citizen engagement, campus climate [for diverse
groups, etc.]).
Build diversity of volunteers and professional staff and increase programming and cooperation with diverse
student groups and events
o Work with the Multi-Cultural Center for Academic Excellence to plan recruitment and retention
efforts directed at students of color
o Contact multi-cultural groups to inform them of ways we could work together; i.e. DJing their
events or publicizing those events on the University or other events calendars
Use Radio K to raise awareness of the U of M to high potential high school students and recruit them as U
of M students
o Build strong relationship with KDXL and St. Louis Park High School
• Continue to provide technical, legal and regulatory expertise to the District
administration
• Mentor and teach students to make good radio
o Use The Breakfast Club to identify and recruit high potential students for the University
Increase training and staff development opportunities for Radio K staff and volunteers
o Seek opportunities for Radio K volunteers to earn academic credit for their work
• Work with Program for Individualized Learning and Communications
Studies Department to create directed studies opportunities
o Help students with job placement
o Expand educational and community engagement opportunities for U of M students.
o Follow-up with departing students to assess their development while at Radio K
Upgrade physical and technical infrastructure
Improve AM signal
o Make modifications to AM transmission plant to facilitate AM stereo and HD radio
o Paint tower and replace insulating stand-offs
Expand availability of FM signal
o Complete Falcon Heights and Rarig Center translator stations
o Seek translator stations in NW and SE Metro
Improve studio facilities
o Upgrade at least one studio to all digital
o Refurbish studios
2006-2008 Administrative Unit Student Services Fees Request
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Radio K
28
APPENDIX C
Wheatstone Corporation
500 Industrial Drive
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
Proposal to:
Larry Oberg
KUOM
550 Rarig Center, 330 21st Ave So
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0415
Proposal #
123KUOM
Metro Sound and Lighting
1731 West University Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104
Qty
Item
Description
List Price
1
AE Net
8 Port Switch for Audioarts Net Routing System
$4995.00
1
D9
24 Fader D9 Control Surface
1
BRIDGE Bridge Routing System
1
FURN
Tech Line Studio Furniture
1
PKG
Outboard Processing, Speaker and Microphone
Package from Metro Sound & Lighting
Total
Net
$4,995.00
$4,395.60
$46,600.00 $46,600.00
$41,008.00
$53,673.00 $53,673.00
$47,232.24
$6,500.00
$6,500.00
$16,932.00 $16,932.00
Total:
$5,720.00
$16.932.00
$115,287.84