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Why did KGOU need to move? |
| A: |
KGOU was housed in the same facilities on the OU campus for about three decades. Through the years, our facilities became overcrowded and less adequate for the station's needs. The 1480 sq. ft. of space was not adequate for broadcasting needs and desk space for nine full-time and 5 part-time employees, not to mention student broadcasters. |
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| Q: |
Where are KGOU's new studios, and how much did they cost? |
| A: |
KGOU moved to the third floor of Copeland Hall, two buildings south of its former location on the OU campus. Renovations began in March 2006 to transform the former School of Journalism broadcast labs and darkrooms into a modern public radio station. The project cost has been estimated at $800,000. |
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| Q: |
Why isn’t the university paying for the renovation? |
| A: |
The University of Oklahoma has given KGOU the gift of space in Copeland Hall rent-free, and the equivalent of an interest-free loan for the renovations. OU supports a portion of KGOU’s annual operating budget, and has done so since it became a public radio affiliate in 1983. KGOU is working with university officials to explore all capital funding options.
Because of the demands placed on funding appropriated by the state legislature to the university, classroom instruction must be the first funding priority at OU. As in other university departments, capital improvements are possible only through the generosity of private donors, as exemplified by the recent construction of Gaylord Hall for the College of Journalism and Price Hall for the College of Business. |
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| Q: |
Why ask members, who have already donated to KGOU, to bear the burden? |
| A: |
Simply put, because listeners are the ones who benefit from KGOU’s public service. This is the first time KGOU management has made an appeal to members for a capital need of any kind. Prior to this opportunity, all purchases of broadcasting and office equipment have been handled through the operating funds. KGOU is exploring all other funding options, but will not be able to fully fund the new studios without help from listeners. |
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| Q: |
How will expanding KGOU’s workspace benefit the listener? |
| A: |
KGOU staff members now have the additional facilities necessary to produce more local programming and public service: more editing booths, more computers and desk space for writing copy, and more production capability. Our news department has recently won acclaim for in-depth coverage of local issues; that forward momentum can now continue. |
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| Q: |
How soon will listeners hear more local programming? |
| A: |
More workspace was the next ingredient necessary to producing more and better local programs. It took several months after the move before any increase in local programming became evident. In beginning any new endeavor at KGOU, management must determine whether support is in place to sustain the endeavor over the long run, in terms of staffing, funding and listener appeal.
Since the move, KGOU has had the ability to produce more and better programs. KGOU has hosted several panel discussions and live music performances, and now has the ability to link local guests to national programs via a special telephone line. The new production facilities have allowed KGOU to produce more public affairs programming for Oklahoma Voices, and our news department has committed to producing these programs on a weekly basis, more frequently than before. And in 2008, KGOU began producing a weekly newscast on topics of interest to the Native American community. |
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| Q: |
Why the rush to move? |
| A: |
The availability of the Copeland Hall space and the opportunity to have three times the space was too good to pass up. Also, office space on campus is in short supply, and KGOU’s former space in Kaufman Hall was needed for faculty offices for the academic units housed in that building. |
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| Q: |
Why did KGOU need to buy new equipment? Wasn’t the old equipment working fine? |
| A: |
Some of KGOU’s broadcast equipment was so old it no longer conformed to industry standards or would not survive a move. Also, disconnecting, moving, and reconnecting existing equipment would force KGOU to be off the air for several weeks. Installing new broadcast equipment prevented a lengthy interruption of service. KGOU kept existing broadcast equipment that is still useful, and all its existing office furniture and office machines.
This was also an opportune time to upgrade to more recent technology in order to continue to carry NPR programming. A technology upgrade would have been necessary in the near future anyway, even if the station had stayed in the same location. |
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| Q: |
Will a larger space and updated equipment strengthen the KGOU and KROU signals? |
| A: |
No. Signal strength is a separate issue, and we are working to address it as well. In working to make anything better, sometimes opportunity helps shape priorities. It is our sincere hope that an opportunity for a stronger signal becomes achievable at some point in the near future, just as this opportunity for a larger space was achievable now. |
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| Q: |
Are there any matching funds available to make my donation go farther? |
| A: |
Yes! The Edith K. Gaylord Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation will provide a $150,000 grant to match donations during Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008 (July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2008). |
If you still have unanswered questions, please contact General Manager Karen Holp at (405) 325-3388 or by e-mail at manager @ kgou.org.
