Spring Break
The Daily OrangeOn-campus radio returns for spring
WERW back on the air, streaming content online
By Nya Wilson
Posted: 2/13/08, 3:59 AM EST Section: News
WERW, "real college radio," has officially returned to the airwaves for the spring 2008 semester, making it its 20th year on radio.
Home to approximately 90 disc jockeys, WERW at 1570 AM, offers 56 shows per week. Programs cover hip-hop, indie rock, jazz, electronica, comedy and politics.
The radio station only broadcasts 20 watts meaning the broadcast radius only reaches the immediate community. Therefore, the content is not governed by the FCC, and it is a free-format station.
Jacqwel Brown, a sophomore history major said, "I think that the wide variety of shows works well with the student body because there is something for everyone, and I can listen to whatever I'm in the mood for."
Feedback for the student-run station has increased greatly throughout the past semesters, said John Dwyer, the station's program director. Dwyer said many of the students gain interest after the fall semester, and many of the non-graduate students return.
This semester, Dwyer said he had to turn down 20 DJ applicants, as opposed to only six last semester.
Dwyer said many students who listen to WERW fail to realize it can be heard online.
"Not enough people realize that WERW can be heard over the Internet," Dwyer said.
Dwyer said getting the word out about an online counterpart of the radio station will boost its popularity on campus.
"If I was online, I would probably check it out," said Brian Vincent, a freshman computer engineering major. "I just don't listen to the regular radio."
"WERW will soon promote more so to the Internet than to our AM channel due to the rise of podcasts and such," Dwyer said.
Freshman Kate Moskowitz and Shannon Gaskill do not listen to college radio.
"I don't have a radio," Moskowitz, a communications and rhetorical studies major, said. "I rather play iTunes or Pandora, an online radio site."
Gaskill, an advertising major agreed. "I have a radio in my room, but I've never turned it on."
But both girls agreed if the music was online and they found a program they liked, they would tune in.
Julia Collier, the station's general manager is trying to promote the station heavily online, citing it as a great way to increase the amount of listeners.
"We can reach not only those here on the SU campus, but also all around the world," Collier said.
The next task on the agenda for the WERW team is to get its name out there and become better known among the SU student body.
Kathryn Wakeman, head music director at WERW said, "The WERW station will continue to move forward as a station in order to grow as a part of the community."
nywilson@syr.edu
Home to approximately 90 disc jockeys, WERW at 1570 AM, offers 56 shows per week. Programs cover hip-hop, indie rock, jazz, electronica, comedy and politics.
The radio station only broadcasts 20 watts meaning the broadcast radius only reaches the immediate community. Therefore, the content is not governed by the FCC, and it is a free-format station.
Jacqwel Brown, a sophomore history major said, "I think that the wide variety of shows works well with the student body because there is something for everyone, and I can listen to whatever I'm in the mood for."
Feedback for the student-run station has increased greatly throughout the past semesters, said John Dwyer, the station's program director. Dwyer said many of the students gain interest after the fall semester, and many of the non-graduate students return.
This semester, Dwyer said he had to turn down 20 DJ applicants, as opposed to only six last semester.
Dwyer said many students who listen to WERW fail to realize it can be heard online.
"Not enough people realize that WERW can be heard over the Internet," Dwyer said.
Dwyer said getting the word out about an online counterpart of the radio station will boost its popularity on campus.
"If I was online, I would probably check it out," said Brian Vincent, a freshman computer engineering major. "I just don't listen to the regular radio."
"WERW will soon promote more so to the Internet than to our AM channel due to the rise of podcasts and such," Dwyer said.
Freshman Kate Moskowitz and Shannon Gaskill do not listen to college radio.
"I don't have a radio," Moskowitz, a communications and rhetorical studies major, said. "I rather play iTunes or Pandora, an online radio site."
Gaskill, an advertising major agreed. "I have a radio in my room, but I've never turned it on."
But both girls agreed if the music was online and they found a program they liked, they would tune in.
Julia Collier, the station's general manager is trying to promote the station heavily online, citing it as a great way to increase the amount of listeners.
"We can reach not only those here on the SU campus, but also all around the world," Collier said.
The next task on the agenda for the WERW team is to get its name out there and become better known among the SU student body.
Kathryn Wakeman, head music director at WERW said, "The WERW station will continue to move forward as a station in order to grow as a part of the community."
nywilson@syr.edu
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