The Daily Orange - September 17, 1982
Securing a student
tradition [Editorial]
For 35 years WAER-FM 88 has broadcast from the Syracuse University campus a format that has been developed solely by students. The students have earned WAER a Reputation as an innovative, progressive, on-commercial college radio station—truly a unique alternative to commercial stations. But this history recently has been blemished I by a virtual tug of war between students and University administrators for programming and operational control.
In the summer of 1981, former Station Manager Thomas Hardy violated WAER's constitution by altering the senior staff selection process, igniting a conflict between students and administrators. Last week Ron Harig, who was chosen to temporarily replace Hardy in February, took it upon himself to nullify a broadcasting standard the station had abided by since its inception.
The University, by its station manager appointments, has decreased student control at WAER and has indirectly restricted student voice in policy making. The station manager, a full-time professional who is responsible for the station's overall operation, should work with the students, not against them. He should not be empowered to impose University policies on a student station.
With the appointment of David R. Anderson as station manager, effective Sept. 27, the University has given WAER a possible student emancipator or a possible watchdog. Anderson has developed the reputation of being an ardent fund raiser and a veritable "hatchet man" when it comes to standing Behind his policies. Whether Anderson will become another University "yes" man remains to be seen.
Student staff members of WAER must take a firm stand on their autonomy to protect the stations tradition of being free from University control. If the University can get away with usurping student decision making at WAER and making the injustice appear innocent and trivial, it could very well engulf the entire station and saturate the air waves with the beat of a different drummer.
Barbara Sutton
for The Daily Orange
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Last Modified October 14, 2005 |