Communication dept., WAKE TV discuss future

By Phil Glynn
Perspectives Editor

Student executives of WAKE TV and members of the communication department left a meeting Sept. 23, where they discussed their agreement and funding issues, on a good note.

"It went alright," senior Jamie Kidd, WAKE TV vice president of research and development said. "Basically we were just discussing the concerns both sides had with the current agreement."

The university department and student organization operate under an agreement of affiliation.

It is necessary for the bodies to work together on certain educational projects and share space.

Kidd said as the nine-year-old station continues to grow that WAKE TV and the communication department need to look to the future, find capital for new equipment and more clearly define their relationship. Kidd said the current agreement is "very vague."

The agreement states "WAKE TV will be an affiliated program of the department of communication. As such, the department of communication will provide an adviser and supervision for WAKE TV. WAKE TV will be responsible for the daily operation of activities."

Kidd said a separation of the bodies was not discussed at the meeting and wouldn't be in the best interests of either party.

"We reaffirmed the need to have a relationship together," she said. "Our goals are much the same."

Randall Rogan, an associate professor and chair of the communication department, said the meeting mostly covered logistical issues and that everyone was "pretty much on the same page." Rogan said that the current agreement is sufficient for future growth at WAKE TV. "The agreement has worked well," he said.

Senior Ryan Eanes, WAKE TV president, who noted that the state of the station is "excellent," said that procuring new equipment is a chief concern of the organization. He added that the agreement was also a high priority but emphasized that the station is seeking a capital expansion.

The group submitted a capital expansion request in May, but is currently in the process of revising it. The group has asked for about ,000, a number which was reduced and then spread out over a three-year cycle. Now, said Kidd, the station is being asked to further reduce its request.

John Anderson, vice president of finance, said the administration was not asking for a reduction because of concerns about WAKE TV.

He simply said that, due to the current economic climate, the university would only be able to supply them with a more "reasonable" sum.

He added that this is the "normal process of how we do it."

Another topic of discussion recently has been the establishment of an advisory board for WAKE TV. Rogan said this board would "provide input, guidance and oversight, but not control."

Kidd said she wasn't worried about department interference and that WAKE TV would welcome the advice. "In terms of the day-to-day operations, the executive board is definitely in control," she said.