Vote YES for CJAM

Thursday, April 3rd and Friday, April 4th, CJAM 99.1FM is calling on all undergraduate students from the University of Windsor to vote YES for CJAM. We’re asking the student body for a 99 cent semester increase to CJAM’s current funding. CJAM has not received a levy increase since the 1980s. This funding will help offset costs of our News Department and help us work towards a power increase. Go to www.uwindsor.ca/UWSAvote on April 3rd and 4th to vote YES for CJAM. More info? Check out The Lance’s coverage of our referendum.

You got questions? We have answers, click below for our F.A.Q

How much does CJAM currently receive in funding?
Right now, we receive $5 for every full time undergraduate student per semester. This has not increased since the 1980s.

When and how do I vote?
Voting is open at www.uwindsor.ca/uwsavote from Thursday, April 3rd at 9:30AM to Friday, April 4th at 9:30PM.

Why 99 cents?
Because we’re CJAM 99.1FM of course!

What is CJAM’s current financial situation like?
Our finances are in excellent order, and in fact, salaries along with all other optional expenses are down significantly as we work towards a power-increase. This referendum request is in no way a matter of poor budgeting. We are a fiscally responsible organization with a Treasurer who is a professional accountant as well as a local business person, an accountant, and an auditor.

Why does CJAM need the funding?
One of the main reasons we seek this referendum is to avoid laying off our modest one-person news department, which we believe has quickly become the most competent and credible news source on campus. CJAM was able to hire an extraordinary News Director in 2012 with the help of a Community Radio Fund of Canada grant. We were able to hire Zoran Kljajic, who has BBC experience, as well as experience as a wartime correspondent in the former Yugoslavia. Since coming aboard, Mr. Kljajic has been able to pass on these skills to budding student broadcasters. He does this, in part, by incorporating their work into his weekly news show, The Windsor Chronicle, which has offered credible, high-quality reportage on matters that are incredibly relevant to the campus community. As we believe it is in the students’ and university’s best interest to maintain this position, CJAM is here, as a stakeholder, desperately seeking a long-term solution for maintaining this position.

Whoa, didn’t you guys just do some voting?
Ah yes, that was for our annual Jammy Awards! That determines the best of the best in radio programming. This referendum is a one-time vote through the University of Windsor Students Alliance and will decide CJAM’s funding for years to come.

How does CJAM serve students?
CJAM offers students a concrete learning environment, taking their lessons of media and technology from the classroom to the airwaves. We offer training and airtime for free. For students wishing to start a career in media, CJAM helps to give them a head-start. Many of our former volunteers have gone on to careers in radio. For those outside of the media field, CJAM allows students the chance to create their own media and bring their passion to the airwaves while meeting a diversity of people. On a weekly basis, programs like Research Matters and Inside Windsor, clue our listeners in on what’s happening on campus. CJAM has done much in the way of special programming for the University, including a move-in day special for those in residents featuring the voices of their future RAs. At present, 30 percent of our volunteer base is made up of students. Our three core staffers are alumni. The rest are largely graduates of the University of Windsor, and we are forever redoubling our efforts to become more relevant on campus.

Tuition is high; why should I vote yes?
Inflation is a reality. For the last twenty-five years, the cost of tuition and making radio have gone up but our funding has not. A small increase of 99 cents per semester supports campus-community radio in a real way. You can’t even buy a cup of coffee for 99 cents, but you sure can help CJAM!