R.I.P. KTXT (1961 - 2008) Options

[FORSAKENR320]

And my avatar expresses that I am happy about a recent event in my life. You're just reaching for bones, sir.

i think reaching for bones is what got you into your avatar expressive predicament

[Mommy]

i think reaching for bones is what got you into your avatar expressive predicament

definitely not a predicament to be happily married and have a baby together.

[SaveKTXT!]

Yes, but it isn't your money. Please show me another venture supported by Tech that sucks up so much money without providing much money back that is there to support the institutional values and goals. In the most recent data that I read on the Save KTXT facebook group, it just cost too much money to operate for the low number of listeners that you catered to. I am willing to bet that Tech would be more keen to "meet in the middle" given commitment by the current and future KTXT staff to underwrite shows and host fundraisers.

And yes, it is an educational experience, but I don't know many other programs that cost so much money to give a select number of students real world experience. Education is subsidized throughout all the students enrolled, but I disagree that the University as a whole should be responsible for funding an elitist attitude that employees a handful of individuals who want radio experience.

Again, I do think this was handled very poorly, and it is a loss of a valuable campus experience for some. It does not sit completely well with me, but I support Tech and after seeing the numbers available, I feel that they had to make a business decision. If the choices are 1) shut down the station or 2) pass the additional cost on to the student, I'm going to choose option two. We're in a recession, and a college experience is a privilege, not a right. Having this experience was a luxury that Tech can't afford right now. The moment that KTXT accepts responsibility to take on some of the funding issues themselves in a real way will be a great sign. I know there are plans now, and I think Tech will listen to them and accept them with conditions, so best of luck to all you.

But I want to reiterate, it is always very easy to say "money isn't everything" when it isn't your cash.

Absolutely true. It is easy to dismiss money when it isn't yours, but that doesn't make the point that some things SHOULD be more important than money, incorrect. Culture, education, hands on experience, art, and originality all transcend money. This is especially true on a college campus where individual thinking and creativity should be nurtured. KTXT presents these things to an area that is lacking in each.

The flip side of your statement should also be mentioned. It's easy to cite financial reasons for shutting the station down when you give the students no notice that money is an issue. No one is suggesting a college radio station is a right. However, it is inexcusable students were given no opportunity to argue their case, examine alternatives, or propose solutions for the continuation of this privilege. The station has been around since 1961. It deserves better than that.

[Epic]

I believe notice was given. I remember reading about it in the university paper six years ago that the station was expensive to run and was being viewed by the Trustees as not cost efficient. They probably didnt give the ultimatum that should have been delivered, with a time table and conditions. I agree with you on that.

And yes, a college campus should provide those values you listed, but KTXT isn't the only avenue. And I don't think KTXT is the cultural beacon that everyone was making it out to be.

It still sucks, but as a Tech supporter, i do believe there are other things that student funds can be spent on to support the university as a whole.

Now that i think about it, whatever happened to the Perversity Weekly? That's a great example of counter culture trying to succeed and I know Kevin worked his ass off trying to get advertising support to keep his paper alive. They fought tooth and nail to get rights and privileges that the University Daily had, and we said they as long as they met matching funds for their efforts.

Any news on strong alumni support yet? Certainly there are bound to be more than a few rich alumni willing to donate a few grand to the cause.

[Mommy]

I believe notice was given. I remember reading about it in the university paper six years ago that the station was expensive to run and was being viewed by the Trustees as not cost efficient. They probably didnt give the ultimatum that should have been delivered, with a time table and conditions. I agree with you on that.

And yes, a college campus should provide those values you listed, but KTXT isn't the only avenue. And I don't think KTXT is the cultural beacon that everyone was making it out to be.

It still sucks, but as a Tech supporter, i do believe there are other things that student funds can be spent on to support the university as a whole.

Now that i think about it, whatever happened to the Perversity Weekly? That's a great example of counter culture trying to succeed and I know Kevin worked his ass off trying to get advertising support to keep his paper alive. They fought tooth and nail to get rights and privileges that the University Daily had, and we said they as long as they met matching funds for their efforts.

Any news on strong alumni support yet? Certainly there are bound to be more than a few rich alumni willing to donate a few grand to the cause.

All the alumni who are rich wouldn't support to an artsy fartsy station like that. You will find alumni who listened to KTXT working minimum wage jobs just to "stick it to the man" and not give in the the popularity of having a job that actually pays.

[Mommy]

Let me give you KTXT kids just an idea of what a college radio station should do. The radio station for Texas State University held a special event featuring Bobby Bones, a morning radio show host based out of Austin. Bobby Bones has had enormous success and is now syndicated in several markets across the country. They invited Bobby Bones to come speak in the Communications dept, but whoever wanted to attend could. The crowd was way too big for the room. They had about 50 seats out, but a couple hundred people showed up. People couldn't even fit in the door and were listening from the hallway. This is an example of appealing to what listeners want and providing an educational experience for students. Bobby Bones shared a lot of useful information with students and shared how he got his start. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that is the type of things college radio stations should do. Yeah, this wasn't an on-air thing, but it was put on by the radio station.

[FORSAKENR320]

Let me give you KTXT kids just an idea of what a college radio station should do. The radio station for Texas State University held a special event featuring Bobby Bones, a morning radio show host based out of Austin. Bobby Bones has had enormous success and is now syndicated in several markets across the country. They invited Bobby Bones to come speak in the Communications dept, but whoever wanted to attend could. The crowd was way too big for the room. They had about 50 seats out, but a couple hundred people showed up. People couldn't even fit in the door and were listening from the hallway. This is an example of appealing to what listeners want and providing an educational experience for students. Bobby Bones shared a lot of useful information with students and shared how he got his start. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that is the type of things college radio stations should do. Yeah, this wasn't an on-air thing, but it was put on by the radio station.

so a radio station is supposed to be a unique experience that succeeds by being like everyone else...

gaddammit jessica, you hurt my brain-meats

[The Fanatic]

If we are hurting for money then why is the university building that god damn waste of space "leisure pool". I'm sure that really enriches the educational experience on campus.

[Epic]

From what I heard from one of my friends in the VPSA office, the leisure pool was heavily debated but was strongly supported by a rich alum who made a sizable donation and part of it had to be spent on the REC. Another rumor was that the money had to be spent on the REC as they plan to being an NCAA swim team, so they would need a student option and use the old pool for a training facility. There are also plans to use it for alumni fundraising options and making it available to be rented out for private parties.

So that looks much different than a radio station with an estimated fan base of 2k (I read that on the facebook group somewhere)

[chook]

I wish they had an NCAA swim team at Tech. I like swimming but hate spending 4+ hours in the pool a day.

Epic is right, a string alumni is needed for the station and more mainstream support. Arguements need to be ones that a "closed minded" regent would agree with. Art is free speach should not appeal to everyone. But I am pissed off when i have to pay for something that I think is useless.

Win the arguement that the station is useful and benificial to Tech (untimately in monetary form, even with circular logic) and you'll win the arguement. Keep saying its art and transcends any cost, and KTXT will never be back on the air.

[Mommy]

so a radio station is supposed to be a unique experience that succeeds by being like everyone else...

gaddammit jessica, you hurt my brain-meats

Where the fuck did I say that? You don't have any brain meats to hurt.

[FORSAKENR320]

Where the fuck did I say that? You don't have any brain meats to hurt.

you shut your face-hole... you ill-begotten wench of the night.

[Dogmeat]

you shut your face-hole... you ill-begotten wench of the night.

Jessica is a opossum-ostrich ...

[Mommy]

Jessica is a opossum-ostrich ...

[chook]

keep the tread on track. I wanna hear the fate of KTXT.