The radio station committee accomplished the first step in a plan to diversify KNSU Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Members of the committee came to a consensus that the station will remain alternative in format, however other elements will be added to target a bigger audience.
“The FCC says it is our job to serve the community. The urban community is well served. The three top radio stations in New Orleans are urban,” said Lance Arnold, KNSU advisor.
He explained that KNSU is not urban because it cannot compete with top radio stations such as Q93.3. It would cost too much money, and the station is not in a position to compete.
“Because of this, we decided to target a community that is not reached. This is the reason we have an alternative format,” said Arnold.
Over the years, KNSU has had specialty shows with the purpose of gaining more listeners to the station. There have been urban shows at night, and there have also been two talk shows.
In the past, KNSU has evaluated disk jockeys over a yearly period before giving the DJ a specialty show.
In an attempt to get more specialty shows in a quicker amount of time, the station is changing its policy. The station will now train DJs so that they will be able to do specialty shows their first year.
The committee also decided that a good plan of action is to advertise for DJs.
“Publicity is the key to recruiting new DJs. Ads can be placed in The Nicholls Worth, flyers can be posted on boards and DJs can also advertise during their shows,” Marie Ory, mass communication junior from LaPlace, said.
All committee members were in agreement. Members felt if students have complaints, this would give them an opportunity to get involved and help make changes.
In addition to the major accomplishments, Joshua McKnight, mass communication sophomore from LaPlace, was elected as the committee chairperson. His job will be to call meetings with the committee and act as a liaison between the committee and the Student Government Association.
McKnight has been working for KNSU for two years, and was responsible for instituting a rap specialty show last year.
The SGA made it very clear that its objective is not to “tell the station do this, this, and this,” Alcie Maxwell, SGA president, said. It wants to help the station accommodate more students.
“We’re open to change and suggestions,” Arnold said. “We know we need improvements and that’s what we’re working on.”