WRCUFM, Colgate University’s only radio outlet and the communal voice of Hamilton, New York, has always been a barely memorable piece of a campus tour to me. One that I remember to be interesting, but I didn’t care enough to retain why it was interesting. A mere week ago I had the privilege of engagingly discovering the operations of this authentic college radio station through a pre-orientation program, and my experience far outreached any and all expectations. Where I anticipated to find half baked DJ shows filled with meaningless shout outs and even more meaningless cycles of the same three pop tunes as found on any local station, I discovered something far more memorable, and I dare say essential to a college campus. Here are 13 unexpected reasons for why college radio is the best kind of radio:
1. The DJs are real people
While local and national radio stations are capitalized, operated by outdated and barely relatable voices who serve only to introduce the next fifteen consecutive commercials, college DJs aren’t held to the same standards as commercialized radio and thus are allowed to be themselves. Students have the freedom to tell the truth, speak their minds, and address themselves by as ridiculous a DJ name as their hearts desire.
2. Creative freedom
Commercial radio is gripped by pop culture and the need to please the masses, but practically all college radio stations are non-profit and give the opportunity for creative broadcasting to their students. Giving that kind of power to adolescents may seem like a recipe for disaster (and sometimes it is), but for the most part it spurs a lot of truly fun and thought-provoking variations of the same medium.
3. College radio lets you discover new artists
One of the most popular ways for local musicians to make their work known is by sending demos to college radio stations. And with so many new artists making it big upon local discovery, who knows? You might find yourself listening to the next Adele through your local campus.
4. PSA’s are the hidden gems of advertisement
The only advertisements college radio is obligated to broadcast are Public Service Announcements, the altruistic commercials that are widely regarded the depressing cousins of regular commercials. In reality, the bulk of these advertisements use comedy to relate to their mostly student audiences, leaving us with ads that more resemble funny life lessons than cautionary tales.
5. Unparalleled variety
Forget smooth jazz, what if you’re looking to listen to some soothing Epic Death Metal? Or oddly themed 80’s music? Chances are, you’ll find at least one college radio show that quenches your thirst for variety and bizarrely specific music genres. Where else would I be able to jam out to space disco tunes of the week?
6. College radio connects the community with the campus
Small businesses and individuals often have trouble getting connected with the larger commercialized radio stations in nearby cities. College radio on the other hand exists to make connections between students and the surrounding community, creating an invaluable dialogue that makes campus life that much more enjoyable.
7. It takes genre-defying to a whole new level
Do you have a thing for smooth jazz and want to discover some new musicians? Looking for a talk show that isn’t just the same tired routine? With such an array of students from different backgrounds, college radio struggles to ever fit into even the broadest of genres – and that’s what makes it so great!
8. Brings artists to your campus
Having a college station that reaches out and makes connections with artists all over the world in order to broadcast their music means those artists are more likely to recognize that campus as a venue. Campus radio equals campus concerts which equal happy students.
9. Attachment to your favorite shows
Much like an addiction to your favorite Netflix series, there’s a kind of inexplicable relaxation that comes from tuning in to your favorite radio show of the day and taking a break from all your worries.
10. Get to know your friendly neighborhood DJ
It’s comforting and entertaining to know that anyone you hear on a college radio station is part of your community. Anyone can have a show on college radio, even professors! And getting friendly with them makes listening to their shows all the more worthwhile. You might even score yourself a shout out.
11. Art before sports
Personally, I am more than tired of the sports-dominated pop culture in America that seems to permeate practically every form of media, especially radio. Lucky for me, while stations do recognize campus sports from time to time, college radio is generally far more concerned with music and arts than sporting events. It gives a refreshingly artistic spin to traditionally bland or sporty news and talk shows.
12. School spirit
Radio isn’t just a creative and artistic outlet though. Many DJs take to expressing their love for their schools through college radio, spreading campus cheer all over the neighborhood. Some stations, like WRCUFM, even have websites so people all over the world can listen to what’s going down on their friends’ and family members’ college campuses.
13. It gives students a much needed voice
Though it seems cliché, it’s characteristic of adolescents to feel invisible and unheard. College radio gives the ignored a chance to inspire, revealing important members of the student body who would otherwise go unnoticed.
So if you live near a campus, or have means of listening to your favorite campus’ radio broadcasts, take a moment to tune in every once in a while. You’d be surprised how quickly you’ll come to love it.
