WJUL and Lowell Sun Control

["Bill O'Neill" <billo@shoreham.net>]

There have been rumblings, of late, but now it appears official.  The University
of Massachusetts has apparantly signed a contract with the Lowell Sun newspaper
to take control of WJUL from 5-10 am. weekdays, with a Sat. am block to be
taken, as well.  Steps are underway for the paper to build an ancillary studio
for this purpose.  The school has also, apparantly, got the paper to fund a
full-time station manager, with an internal posting listing the salary level to
as high as $59K.  Needless to say, the students and alumni are very concerned
with this, particularly the swiftness with which this has occured.

The University, in a letter to student staffers said that student control over
(the remainder) of the station would remain, although it leads one to wonder
what a well-paid staffer would be left to do if students remained in charge.

Taken from a letter from Mary Connolly, WJUL faculty advisor, to WJUL
leadership. Undated, but it is quite recent:
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"A contract has been signed with the Lowell Sun. It has been reviewed by the
lawyer with specific expertise in FCC rules and regulations which the University
system put on retainer earlier this year. (This individual is used by the entire
UMass system to deal with FCC issues). I still have not seen it but some of the
more pertinent points which I believe station members would be concerned about
are:

1. While the position will report to a University supervisor, the Lowell Sun
will pay for the salary of the position currently being posted.
2. The Lowell Sun will be responsible for any fines incurred as a result of FCC
rules or regulations.
3. There will be an editorial board established by Dr. Hogan for the sole
purpose of reviewing editorial content of the morning show.
4. The Lowell Sun will produce a morning talk show weekdays from 5-10am.
5. The Lowell Sun has agreed to provide student intern and employment
opportunities for our students.
6. The Lowell Sun has agreed to pay all costs associated with building a
satellite station in the Tsongas Arena.
7. The Lowell Sun will promote WJUL during the morning show.

The morning program will start sometime in August or September. I know we need
to find out a more exact date to allow for appropriate planning. It will depend
on how well things go for getting the programs and satellite station up and
running."
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My discussion with Ms. Connolly in May suggested that there would be significant
discussion on the matter with the students.  It appears, however, that the
decision has been made.

And so it goes.  Anyone want a $59K gig running a college station with a
newspaper?  Good luck.  Makes me, jaundiced, wonder if more folks want the gig
or more want justice.  We'll find out.

Bill O'Neill