THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2003
COVERSTORY
THE UNIVERSITYDAILYKANSAN *9*
708
Eric Braem/Kansan
KJHK music director Peter Berard and his staff decide what new music makes it on to the station's rotation. Berard said that in addition to playing music listeners will enjoy, KJHK has a responsibility to support independent artists.
KJHK
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The purpose of KJHK is to promote and support independent artists so people get to know them, Berard said. Besides local music, KJHK plays everything from jazz to heavy metal.
"Everyone at KU can find some portion of KJHK they would enjoy," Berard said.
Berard said many listeners seemed to feel more comfortable with Top 40 stations that play the same six songs anywhere in the country.
"People are getting a very small window of what music is by listening to Top 40 and MTV." Berard said. "We don't try to present just one view."
— Edited by Anne Mantey
"Everyone at KU can find some portion of KJHK they would enjoy."
Peter Berard
KJHK music director
KU radio station faces uncertainty
By Amy Potter
apotter@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The future of KJHK radio still remains in the hands of Chancellor Robert Hemenway.
The School of Journalism currently funds KJHK but has asked the chancellor to find a new home for the station. The budget crunch and a curriculum that has shifted away from radio are two reasons why the school wanted to relinquish control of the station, said Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor.
Murguia also said a majority of student who worked for KJHK were not journalism majors.
Gary Hawke, general manager of KJHK and student adviser said about 35 of 150
students who worked for KJHK were journalism majors.
He said it was hard to say how the change would affect journalism students.
"Our hope is that even if it does go to a different entity we'll still be able to provide
student opportunities for news and sports reports on the station," Hawke said.
Hawke said students interested in radio could still gain experience through KUJH television.
"If you can report on television, you can
certainly do it on radio. However, the reverse is not true," Hawke said.
"We'll probably not reach a decision for some months. We've got to look at the legal situation."
Robert Hemenway
Chancellor
Hemenway said he was exploring a couple options for the station. They include associating the station with the student unions or Kansas Public Radio.
We've got to look at the legal situation," Hemenway said.
Protecting the FCC license and maintaining the student feel of the station are top priorities for Hemenway.
"We'll probably not reach a decision for some months.
"I would want to make sure it stays a student-oriented station," said Hemenway.
Worrying about the situation won't help matters, said Meredith Vacek, station manager.
"As long as it's still around and I'm a student I'm going to stick around to keep its original intent of being open to everyone," Vacek said.
A KJHK disc jockey hosts a show on the student-run station. Chancellor Robert Hemenway is exploring options to keep the station in student's hands.
"I can't imagine KU without KJHK," Naasz said. "It's been the most important part of my experience here."
The possibility of losing KJHK breaks the heart of disc jockey Melanie Naasz, Wichita senior. Naasz has worked at the station for two and a half years and will find a job in the music industry after graduation.
—Edited by Leah Shaffer
Eric Breem/Kansan