WRSU
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WRSU-FM is a noncommercial college radio station serving Rutgers University, broadcasting at 88.7 MHz FM from New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is a student-run public radio station that has a variety of shows hosted by students and community members. Its main offices are located on the College Avenue Campus.
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[edit] History
WRSU-AM
WRSU first went on the air on April 26, 1948. In its earliest inception, WRSU was an AM Carrier Current Station that broadcasted from the basement of a Rutgers dormitory building. During this period, it WRSU ran on the 630 AM band. The station's first General Manager and Founder was Charles Brookwell, Class of '49.
Beginning in the 1950s, the station changed frequencies and changed operating facilities, eventually leaving WRSU on the 680 AM band, with offices in the attic of a building located at 12 College Avenue. The current offices of the station began to be utilized in 1971, and are located at 126 College Avenue located in the Rutgers Student Center.
WRSU-AM ceased operation in 1976, two years after the inception of WRSU-FM
WRSU-FM
WRSU-FM went on the air at 88.7 Megahertz with 1350 watts ERP on January 27, 1974. During the 50s and 60s, the station played current popular music, but starting in the 70s, the station underwent a conscious effort to introduce album oriented progressive/free form movement with a heavy concentration on Community Affairs.
[edit] Philosophy
WRSU has a station playlist but individual DJs have a large amount of control over the format of their shows. The station is strictly non-commercial, and struggles to maintain a somewhat freeform style of broadcasting.
The station is under the management of Rutgers University, and while operations are on a strictly volunteer level, and no course credit is involved, the station does seek to develop the skills of their student personal for eventual use in the professional field.
[edit] Broadcast range
WRSU has an effective radiated power of 1350 watts, and can be heard about 15 to 20 miles North and over 20 miles South of New Brunswick.[1]
[edit] Funding and operations
WRSU receives funding from Rutgers University, and is a strictly non-commercial radio station. However, WRSU goes receive grants and underwriting from local businesses and record stores. Usually, this underwriting takes the form of a credit for the station at said record store in exchange for hourly notices broadcast on the station.
[edit] Programming
WRSU's programming is varied and constantly changing, with new shows being added each semester and some longtime mainstays having been on the station for several decades. WRSU requires most DJs to dedicate a certain percentage of their shows to station playlists, but said playlist is considerably long and well represented by most forms and genre of music. Beyond musical shows, WRSU has a long history of sports coverage, especially at the college level, and news coverage. In recent years WRSU has played host to both Democratic and Republican Presidential Conventions Headquarters.
Knightline has served as WRSU's news and political commentary show since its debut in 1974.
NonProductive has served as WRSU's main comedy, variety, and radio drama outlet since 1996.
Cultural and Community Affairs programs dominate the stations Sunday Schedule.
[edit] Online broadcasting
WRSU's broadcast can now be obtained through a streaming feed off of their website. This has dramatically increased the profile of all of the station's shows.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [http://wrsu.rutgers.edu/about.php Information on broadcast range courtesy of Daniel Schleck, WRSU Alumni Chairman (link to WRSU.org about page)
