Dear Editor,
In response to the Catalyst’s April 29 story, “The Sounds of Colorado College May Soon Be Silenced,” we want to clarify the relationship between The SOCC and KRCC, CC’s NPR-member professional radio station.
In recent years, KRCC paid for web services and software for The SOCC to distribute its content online, and funded student wages at The SOCC. (KRCC did not provide funding for The SOCC’s live-music events; the college supports those through Campus Activities and CCSGA.) In taking a closer look at the two organizations’ roles, requirements, and finances, it became clear that this arrangement should change.
KRCC and The SOCC are entirely different organizations with different operating and finance requirements. KRCC, as a public radio station, must comply with FCC rules such as airing no explicit content (or risk major fines); The SOCC is a student internet-radio organization that also hosts live-music events, and is not held to the same rules. KRCC is audited yearly and must provide financial reports to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; The SOCC does not. Public radio is a professional business; college radio is meant to be a learning and experiential opportunity. KRCC’s student labor budget must fund the wages of students who work at KRCC. Because of these things, KRCC and SOCC content and finances must be separate, and KRCC’s relationship to The SOCC should be to provide internet-radio mentorship/advising—which it continues to do.
Over the past several months, KRCC leadership has been working with The SOCC to separate the finances, content, and marketing of the two organizations. To ease the transition, KRCC staff members have provided suggestions regarding low-cost service options and joining a nationwide college radio organization, and have offered to give negotiating advice, share contacts, and help create an operations manual so The SOCC’s business continuity is ensured when students come and go.
Fortunately, The SOCC has funding options including CCSGA, crowdfunding, and selling advertising. As The Catalyst was going to press, The SOCC secured operating-cost funds from CCSGA.
The relationship between The SOCC and KRCC has history, and continues. Jake Brownell ’12, now a KRCC producer, was general manager and DJ at The SOCC when he was a student. Vicky Gregor, KRCC’s veteran Morning Music Mix host and music director, is an advisor to The SOCC. KRCC staff members remain committed and offer their mentorship to The SOCC for its online radio-related activities.
Jane Turnis
Vice President for Communications
Tammy Terwelp
KRCC General Manager