Student-run radio station WHIP will have the opportunity to broadcast over the Internet to a nationwide audience next year. Plans have been progressing to relocate the radio station to the Bell Building since February of last year.
The new home of WHIP will consist of a broadcast studio, a production studio, a newsroom and an office. This is a change from the small room where WHIP initially began in 1997.
WHIP began as a medium to give the Temple student body a voice.
The station’s current president, Akin B. Ware, said he is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the present progress WHIP is making along with administration.
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Ware said. “I’ll be fine when all the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted.”
The revitalizing of the strictly student-run radio station is one of the newest projects Temple is making in improving student activities on campus.
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Theresa Powell, program director at the Office of Student Activities Arnold Boyd and Dean of Students Dr. Ainsley Carry were instrumental in molding this project together.
Powell coordinated a meeting with members of various members of administration, Ware said. The executive staffs of WHIP, Temple Student Government, the Office of Student Activities, Computer Services, the architecture program and the School of Communications and Theater were all present at this roundtable discussion.
“[Powell] made a strong effort. If it weren’t for her, none of this would have happened the way it did,” Ware said.
Boyd said the vision of those involved is to create a national connection between Temple and the rest of the country.
After the relocation and the remodeling are complete, WHIP will be able to begin production. The goal is to begin broadcasting in fall 2005 or spring of the following semester.
In order to bring this dream to reality, the organization had to seek funds.
WHIP was able to secure a $50,000 dollar technology grant from the University. They also were given money for construction, furniture and advanced equipment.
“This will enable us to do great things with a powerful system,” Boyd said.
According to Boyd, WHIP will transition from being a regular registered organization with the Office of Student Activities to a departmental organization like Main Campus Program Board and TSG.
WHIP was previously broadcast only in the Student Center via radio. Programs will no longer be heard on the radio channel, 91.3 FM, but through their Web site. Ware said he wants WHIP to be the best online broadcast in the country.
Student organizations can also benefit from the new development. According to Boyd, registered organizations of all types will take advantage.
“The entire student population has to be represented in this broadcast,” Ware said. “From religious groups to multicultural groups to special interest groups. Everyone counts.”
Junior Jerry Petit-Frere said he thinks this is a good tool to promote the University across the board.
“This is big. It’s promoting the clubs. It’s putting Temple out there. It’s a progress with WHIP because they started in a small room in the SAC and now they’ll be broadcasting throughout the country,” he said.
Broadcasting is expected seven days a week for 20 hours a day. The cutting-edge format will have various programs dealing with public affairs, current news and student specials.
The success of the production will rely heavily on student participation. Boyd said the students are determinates of the station’s longevity.
“If the students want to play a part they have to commit time. They can’t expect to have things fall in their laps,” Boyd said. “They cannot come with an ego or want to satisfy their own interest. The students with a personal agenda need not apply.”
He is confident, however, that this will be a great instrument in which students will take advantage.
“I think once they see the potential of the opportunity they will see the bright side,” Boyd said.
Ware agreed, “We welcome participation from the students. Experience is not recommended, but appreciated,” he said. Students from SCT are especially targeted, but participation is not limited to them.
The organization is looking for participants interested in technological programming, graphic design, music production and public relations. Work-study credit will be given to students enrolled in SCT.
Dafney Tales can be reached at dafneyt@temple.edu.
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