Memorial University (MUN) in St. John’s, NL is the latest Canadian post-secondary institution to consider de-funding its campus and community radio station, CHMR-FM.
The Memorial University Students’ Union (MUNSU) will hold a final vote this Wednesday, April 1, as the station faces a nearly $300,000 deficit. That’s prompted backlash over the potential loss of the station as a source for local music discovery and promotion, journalism training ground and outlet for multicultural voices.
In an editorial published last week in campus paper The Muse, Managing Editor Lee Hurley – a fourth-year undergrad in the school’s Communications and Media Studies program – called MUNSU’s decision “a reckless cop-out and in direct opposition to the union’s commitment to cultivating a positive, well-rounded student experience at Memorial.”
While acknowledging that the station could be doing more student outreach and adapting better to changing media consumption habits, Hurley points out that the student survey informing MUNSU’s decision was based on a sample of just 84 respondents. The survey results indicated CHMR is the third least-used MUNSU service among students at 13.1%, however with a student body of roughly 12,000, he points out that equates to a sample size of about 0.7%.
“Basing the decision to close an entire organization on less than 1% of the campus population would be irresponsible and would not accurately reflect students’ true feelings or metrics of MUNSU service use,” wrote Hurley.
He also highlighted chronic underfunding, with both The Muse and CHMR each receiving an equal share of the $4 media levy included in each student’s annual tuition – an amount that hasn’t been adjusted for inflation since 2001.
“I completely understand there are cuts that need to be made, but as a student union, MUNSU should recognize the value in facilitating community and platforming student voices,” he added.
Dr. Pamela Morgan – who for two decades fronted Newfoundland Celtic act Figgy Duff – is among those who has written an open letter of support for the station, which premiered her new 65-minute rock opera last fall.
“It is a grave mistake to shut it down,” wrote Morgan. “Yes, listening habits are changing and evolving, but that makes it more vital than ever to include a voice for the marginalized and underrepresented.”
“Things tend to go in cycles, and more people are beginning to seek alternatives to homogenized mainstream media and AI doctored social platforms,” she continued.
