Someone once said of radio that it's "one step above a circus clown on the entertainment hierarchy" Those of us that work in radio know that isn't true and that radio is the most spontaneous, real, intimate and direct art form of the electronic mediums. The powers that be at California State University Long Beach feel otherwise and have spoken loudly to that. This is why, although as a former CSULB Alumni President it pains me greatly, we must now speak loudly by directing our dollars and sense to other institutions that will give us more respect.
I've worked with many of you to try to meet with University officials to bring back a radio program at the college which mirrored the experience we all shared and either - developed bonds with each other that have existed over 25 years or, more importantly in the context of this discussion, developed a career that spans that same distance. Instead of seeing the potential in our numbers, as Alumni of the University, we have been treated like we never existed and even with disdain. Except for the current department head of the "Film and Electronic Arts" department, officials at the University, including the president, quickly hit the "delete" button when they see an e-mail regarding this issue. I can certainly appreciate that they are sick of hearing from me because I am passionate about the issue, but there are countless other radio alumni that they could consult if there was any real interest in bringing back a radio curriculum and bringing back a large number of displaced radio alums with resources that could be tapped into for the good of the entire University community.
The University recently had a huge opportunity to bring back a meaningful radio program as the KKJZ contract ended with the "group" that originally displaced KSUL, being displaced themselves after years of red ink and questionable management. They choose to turn the station over to a commercial broadcaster. While I do have a great respect for this broadcaster as an "independent", there was never any thought or discussion to consider resurrecting a radio curriculum. The press releases associated with the change in management all lauded how students would be a part of the new station operation with scholarships and internships being offered by the new operator. The question, of course, is where will these "student interns" be drawn from and since there is no radio program at CSULB, who would be getting these scholarships. Repeated e-mails to the president and the University press office asking this question have been ignored.
At this point, when the University calls you (if, in fact they still do call you) for that "multi times a year" donation, you might want to consider channeling your resources to another institution that still thinks radio is important. My favorite is the Cerritos College radio program, headed by KSUL's own Craig Breit, but there are still many other colleges and Universities that think radio is a viable curriculum that will welcome your help. Former KSUL PD Phil Hulett, along with his duties at KFWB and with the champion Anaheim Ducks, teaches radio at Mt. San Antonio College. Tim Keenan, one of KSUL's first "management types" has a local radio production house that also offers voiceover classes. As a student of "college radio" I would be more than willing to help you find an institution you might be comfortable in helping.
After last years extremely successful KSUL reunion, Pat Barr has graciously started planning another event for later this month. I hope we can all get together, have some fun, reacquaint with each other and revel in what KSUL was about. The University, appears, will never "get it", so lets enjoy the bonds we've built over the last 25 years and "move on". I'm sure the University will welcome that prospect as well.
Mike Stark
