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When children act unruly, it’s either because they’re lashing out in anger or because they don’t know any better.
In the case of WLCV radio and its recent shenanigans to gain attention by broadcasting semi-nude and bashing the SGA, it’s probably a little bit of both. Perhaps it’s time momma and poppa Cardinal intervene and give the students who run the station a little bit of TLC.
The staff of WLCV considers themselves the bastard step-children of U of L, and they’re probably right.
“The radio station has been in turmoil for years,” said WLCV General Manager T.J. Nelson. “The people before us did what they had to do to survive.”
No one, including Student Government, Student Activities, Campus Life, or the radio station itself, knows exactly whose jurisdiction the station falls under.
Funding, in the annual amount of $5,000, comes from the SGA, but other than that the station is independent from all other organizations on campus.
Nelson said he often asks himself why no one from the university checks on the station. The apparent answer is that university faculty doesn’t care.
For more than four years WLCV has been without an adviser. Take it from us, any type of student media outlet, despite its size or audience base, needs guidance from those with professional experience. Without it, libel, slander and overall poor judgement are guaranteed.
If WLCV had an adviser, it likely would have generated better ideas to boost ratings than to host a Howard Stern shock-jock broadcast in the Student Activities Center. The stunt means that either WLCV is eager and willing to generate more listeners or it just wants to get naked. We’re leaning toward the first one.
David Shaw, assistant director for Student Activities, has listened to WLCV since coming to U of L in 1989. He said that a system of checks and balances is needed for the station to get back on track.
“They should have guidance from people who know what they’re doing, like the Communication department.”
Unfortunately, Communication department Chair Al Futrell said that at one time students could intern at the radio station, but that was years ago. With an adviser, internships would once again be possible. Futrell added that his department lacks the resources to oversee the station. But if the Communication department can’t guide the radio station, who can?
Equally important is the station’s need of a solid infrastructure. In the past, the general manager position was passed down like an old shirt, falling on the back of the senior disc jockey.
“The station decides who runs it,” Nelson said. “There has not been a peaceful succession since I’ve been here except for me and Joey [Wilkerson, former general manager].”
The SGA has decided reluctantly to take on a more active role with the station for the time being, but ultimately would like to see an adviser step in and get the station running again.
For now, U of L has a wasted commodity sitting in the SAC food court that could be used as a medium to get students hands-on experience. If no one is willing to step up and give some direction to WLCV, then perhaps U of L should replace it with a Chinese restaurant. At least students and faculty alike will put that to use.
