KTRU, as a student-run radio station, is accountable to two bodies: the university as holder of the FCC license and the student body. KTRU, with a 50,000 Watt transmitter, serves Rice University and the Houston community as part of the local radio network. By FCC rules, the station must broadcast programming that serves the needs of the community. The city (community) of license is Houston, Texas. This policy acknowledges the Board of Governors' action dated June 12, 1970, delegating to the President the authority to determine station policies and operation. This operating policy will be incorporated into all relevant station policy. Through this operating policy the President delegates his authority as follows.
KTRU DJs must be responsible for their on air conduct and accountable to student station management in accordance with station policy as stated in the KTRU Constitution. In addition, KTRU DJs are accountable to the President of the University for violations of FCC regulations, and to the Assistant Dean for Judicial Affairs for violations of the Rice University Student Code of Conduct.
KTRU must have a General Manager who is a member of the Rice staff and reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The General Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable FCC rules and regulations and advising and supervising student station management regarding operations, all within applicable station policies and guidelines. The GM will also serve as a liaison to the administration of Rice University. Should the GM be in disagreement with the Station Manager regarding station compliance with policies and guidelines, the GM may appeal to the Student Association Senate. A final appeal may be made to the President of the University.
The undergraduate student body of Rice University must elect a Station Manager of KTRU through the SA general elections. The candidates for Station Manger are required to meet qualifications set forth in the SA Bylaws. The remaining internal structure of KTRU shall consist of any office deemed necessary to the operation of the station as determined by the KTRU Constitution and the student volunteers of the station.
Operational programming is to be determined by the student station management within the policy guidelines created by the KTRU Friendly Committee (KFC). Additional programming policy is to be determined by the KFC, which consists of the following voting members: the Station Manager; three undergraduate students (appointed by the SA Senate); three faculty members (nominated by the Faculty Committee on Committees and appointed by the President); one alumni required to have previous KTRU DJ experience (nominated by the President of the Alumni Association and appointed by the President of the University); one staff (appointed by the President); and the following non-voting members: the GSA President, the SA President, the General Manager, and the KTRU Faculty Advisor, who will serve as the non-voting chair of the Committee. A maximum of five additional non-voting student advisors may be appointed by the SA Senate. The KFC must approve new programming in the spirit of the FCC non-commercial license and the educational mission of the University, and in accordance with the KTRU mission. The KFC must meet at least once a semester.
If students and/or faculty/staff have programming ideas or concerns, they may contact a member of the KFC who must bring it to the attention of the KTRU Faculty Advisor (as Chair of the KFC). The FA will place the concern on the agenda for the next meeting. A recommendation must be approved by at least six members in order to be passed by the KFC. If passed, the KFC resolution must be implemented by the Station Manager in a timely manner, as may be determined by the KFC. If a member of the student body or faculty/staff feels that the recommendation by the KFC does not represent student interest or the spirit of the station's non-commercial license and/or the educational mission of the University, they may appeal to the Student Association Senate. If a member of the student body or faculty/staff feels that a member of the KFC is not carrying out their responsibilities, that person may approach the SA Senate to express their concerns.
Historical note
There was some conflict between the KTRU staff and the Rice University administration which resulted in the shutdown of the station for several days in late November 2000. The parties, also negotiating with the Rice Student Association, came to an agreement as to the operations of the station, as expressed in the KTRU Operating Policy. With this policy agreed upon, the station was returned, student run, to the airwaves 200 hours after the initial shutdown. You can read news articles at the archives of the Thresher Online. First ArticleSecond Article
