The Ontario Government’s recently announced Student Choice
Initiative has campus radio stations and newspapers across the province scrambling
at the idea of losing staff members and services. Under the new initiative,
students will have the ability to opt-out of any fees considered non-essential
by the PC Government. The University of Windsor’s campus-community station, CJAM
FM, has received $5 per full-time undergraduate student per semester since students
democratically approved the fee in 1983. The student funding represents between
60-70% of CJAM’s annual budget. “If campus media is deemed non-essential it
will be the beginning of the end for campus newspapers and radio across the
province,” explains CJAM Station Manager Brady Holek. “Along with the services
we provide, students will no longer be able to gain experience and skills that
lead to job opportunities in broadcasting, journalism, and the music industry.”
More than 15 campus radio stations, 150 staff members, and 3,500
volunteers across Ontario will be affected by these changes. “If we lose even a
portion of our funding, we will lose jobs. Currently we have two full-time and
one part-time employee. The opportunities we offer students will be put on hold
as we try and maintain basic federal compliancy as a radio station,” says Holek.
CJAM and stations across Ontario have released a petition today to deem campus
radio an essential fee under the Student Choice Initiative. Copies of the
petition can be found at CJAM FM, Green Bean Café, and Dr. Disc records. A
printable version is also available on the CJAM website, www.cjam.ca.
CJAM FM has connected with many campus programs and services
over the past five years. “We work with students from departments including Nursing,
STEM, Sports Management, Digital Journalism, and Communications Media and
Film,” notes Program Director Carley Schweitzer. “We also work with campus and
Ontario organizations like Pro Bono Students Canada, the Womxn’s Center, OPIRG,
and The Lance to create dynamic,
interesting programs. We strive to provide views from across the political
spectrum and spend our time trying to promote information programming that features
dialogue and discussion.”
Many broadcasters have had experiences at campus radio that
have changed the course of their careers and lives. “I cut my teeth on student
radio at CJAM at the University of Windsor. It was an enormous tool for my
development as a broadcaster and a play-by-play announcer,” says voice of the Toronto
Maple Leafs, Joe Bowen. “I really hope that in Windsor they will see their way
clear to make sure that the student radio station CJAM is funded and kept
going. It’s a great stepping stone for a lot of would-be broadcasters and a
great tool to learn your craft.”
CJAMs 2018 Board of Directors President Brittany Webster found
employment with Bell Media shortly after graduating last year. “I knew I wanted
to work in news, but my anxiety over going live on air was making me question
if it was really the career for me.,” she says. “Through one of my courses, we
were given the assignment to host a half-hour live news segment with CJAM. I
went on to host a weekly-half hour show the following summer. CJAM gave me the
experience and the confidence to move across the country to work as a news
reporter for Bell Media. CJAM gave me the references I needed for my resume,
and the encouraging environment I needed to get my feet wet in live broadcasting.
CJAM was everything I needed; I just wish I’d discovered it before I was more
than halfway though university!”
The University of Windsor is also under financial pressure
with the government announcing a 10% tuition rate reduction alongside the Student
Choice Initiative.
Station Manager Holek notes, “If you give students the option to save money right as they are paying tuition, a lot of them will take it, especially first year students who may have never even been to the campus before. I realize students do not have a lot of money to begin with, but it places organizations like us in bi-annual uncertainty. It will cause massive cutbacks for campus media across Ontario, and many students will realize too late that they have lost opportunities not only on campus but after graduation.”
“This will also represent a major blow to the music industry across Ontario,” says Holek. “Campus radio stations have been breaking new and local artists for decades, and many independent record labels will have a much harder time getting their music heard. We add over 50 albums a week to our new music library.”
CJAM FM recently celebrated 35 years on the FM dial in November 2018. People can find copies of the petition at the link below. Anybody with an Ontario address can sign their support. Get involved with the campaign by contacting Station Manager Brady Holek at 519-253-3000 ex. 2525.