Chapter 11

The "one louder "chapter!

A New Contender

   When we assemble this story with what happened with the overpass, the riots of 1966, and the SWRF, a troubling pattern is confirmed. Far from isolated, this pattern of bureaucratic behavior to place student interests last continued. This is the landscape Jerry Chabrian "inherited" when he arrived as a freshman in September, 1967. He was not aware of all of this; and it's probably a good thing. He might have been discouraged, but, knowing Jerry, he more likely would be mad, possibly mad enough to distract his focus.

   Instead, Jerry merely saw a great need and proceeded to address it. The first thing he did was seek allies. He found George Bouros, a fellow resident of the "fourth floor zoo" in Wright II. Jerry perceived that, BEFORE decisions were made about a future station, he would ask for input. Those that participated would be likely to support the final plan even if all input did not appear in the final proposal. At least people would perceive that their opinions were considered.

   Jerry's plan was to seek as much student input as possible, as well as ask for administrative and faculty input and ASSISTANCE, but not PERMISSION, to proceed. This was smart because asking student opinion would activate students, create a hue and cry to proceed, and create a cutoff and defense against last-minute derailing counter proposals. Getting as many students on the bandwagon early also limited potential last-minute opposition. From the beginning, this was to be a STUDENT station.

   The climate had changed at SIU, just in the three year period since the Robbins report had been issued. There was no longer a "Student Council;" now it was "Student Government" and "Student Senate." There was even a grudging recognition that students at the college level were not the "children" they seemed to be in the early 60's. Whether it was the draft, the war, increased political participation, the '66 riots, or just the way the 18-20 year olds conducted themselves, there definitely was a difference. Jerry reports that there was an incredible vitality among SIU students at that time. "Everyone knew there were things to be done, so we just did them," he said. The student population kept rising, the times were changing and there was an obvious gap between student needs and available resources.

   One painfully obvious vacuum was in radio service. Jerry and George approached student senators. They found Senators Dale Boatright and Jerry Paluach willing to "pitch in" and help the cause. Dale and Jerry sponsored a bill introduced to the senate on January 17, 1968. This bill created a special committee to hold hearings on the creation of a student radio station, and a "Student Government Radio Division" to prepare a feasibility study and budget for the station. The bill passed, with the changes being that the Senate Internal Affairs Committee would conduct the hearings and Jerry Chabrian and George Bouros would prepare the proposed budget.

   The hearing was held on February 15, 1968 from 2-4 pm at the University (now Student) Center. It was publicized in the Daily Egyptian. Administrators, faculty members, students, and others were personally invited to attend. Many did. About 40 attended the hearing, which was chaired by Sen. Paluach.

   Jerry and George presented the "first draft" of their proposal, which included an equipment and construction budget. First up was the issue of the "build-out," making soundproof rooms in the space the new station would occupy. Issues surfaced about whether union labor was required to erect the room partitions; if so, the build-out price could rise $20,000 or more, which would kill the project. This was a small issue within the greater agenda of the university. The unions were a major interest group in the expansion and administration of SIU. As a result of union support for SIU, the university became a union shop, unusual in Southern Illinois. As a union shop, part of the deal was that if certain work was done on campus and/or with certain university funds, the work had to be done by union personnel at union rates. Union contracts with SIU contained many requirements and exceptions, so there were lots of questions about this, which resurfaced later as a major hurdle. At this hearing, George offered that the head of Financial Assistance said student workers could be used at the student rate.

   Dr. (then Mr.) John Kurtz attended, and asked some poignant questions. First he inquired about the transmitter costs and locations. He pointed out that Jerry's estimates were low. Then they had this prophetic exchange:

   There was a spirited discussion, led by Mr. Kurtz, about the station's news and editorial policy. Jerry asked for suggestions. Mr. Kurtz pointed out that there should be an editorial policy that sets forth who had the final decision. Several in attendance felt strongly that the decisions must be 100% student.
   George Bouros felt that the faculty and administration should have 50% of the control, because the station needed their cooperation to access university facilities. George stated a fear that he and Jerry kept in mind:

GEORGE BOUROS:
I think anyone can come up with a radical idea, but if they don't know how to take it tactfully to the University, I don't see how you're going to get your message across. Just by presentation, they (the Administration) will say good-bye.

   This led to a discussion on key points of station control. What positions will have what power? Will they be students? Who will select the persons for these positions? Should this be the Student Senate? Will they then control the station? These questions went unanswered, for a time.

   After a discussion about programming, the meeting adjourned. This hearing showed the interest and sophistication of a diverse group that supported not only the concept of a 100% student station--but its practical success as well. Jerry and George made a trip to Champaign to check out WPGU in March. There was another hearing that month. George left SIU sometime in spring, and Jerry carried on. He revised the station proposal several times. Finally, it passed muster in the Senate Internal Affairs Committee-- and was sent to the Senate Floor May 29, 1968.

   The final draft of Jerry's proposal employed this opening paragraph in the preface:

   The early planning of a radio station involves consideration of the market to be served, site selected, station policies, personnel, the extent of programming, and, most important, the amount of capital available. This proposal takes into consideration all of the above ideas and forms them into a workable plan for the establishment of a Student oriented, student run AM radio station.

This is what appeared on the first page:

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY STUDENT ORIENTED CAMPUS RADIO STATION PURPOSE: To provide Southern Illinois University students living in dormitories with a radio program service at present unavailable (sic) to them. To provide the student body and faculty a channel of communication for the discussion and review of student problems. To provide an activities outlet for the many students interested in broadcasting. GOVERNANCE: The Southern Illinois University Campus Radio Station is to be governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of a Faculty Supervisor, two members of the Student Senate, the Station Manager, the Student Chief Engineer, and a representative of the SIU Broadcasting Service. This board is to be entrusted with the formulation of policies regarding all facets of the station's operation.

   Jerry had done his homework. He had reviewed all of the prior proposals and their treatments. In response, he had addressed many of the groups which had expressed objections or counter proposals in the past. The Broadcast Service would be represented. The faculty would be represented, by a "Faculty Supervisor" who would not only chair the board, vote on decisions, vote twice if there were ties, but also could refer board decisions to the Dean of Students, a member of the administration. The Student Senate would have two members, more than any other group. In theory, they would represent all students at large. Thus, Jerry had proposed a board of four students and two faculty/staff members, but he made it appear that there was still lots of faculty/staff control.
   Another interesting section of the original final proposal in May, 1968, was the "Programming Policies." The music was to be "...a moderate, yet upbeat sound, the 'young sound.'" News promised "hourly reports with the headlines on the half-hour, and bulletins as the story breaks...to keep students abreast on both (campus and other) news fronts." Public Affairs and Editorial policies emphasized "both views," "equal time," "seeking out great diversity of student and faculty opinion" and "balanced presentation of controversial subjects."

The final paragraph of programming policies was entitled:

5. GOOD TASTE. It is the policy of the station to exclude from broadcast salacious and profane material, and material offensive to religious and socio- economic minorities. This policy does not apply to the expression of ideas; however it does apply to the use of language.

   The proposal contained many pages of details of how carrier current transmission works, the buildings which would house transmitters, the station proposed budget, organization chart, equipment wiring diagrams, and related info. The proposal contemplated wiring Small Group Housing, Evergreen Terrace, and Southern Hills, which never happened, due to the need to have transmitters in every building. The proposal also took a position that advertising would be sold, and the main objectors to this would be the Daily Egyptian.
   Jerry's proposal passed the Student Senate May 29, 1968. Jerry had, in only one academic year, lined up more support and vaulted over more hurdles than all the others in seven years. But this was only the beginning. That night, Jerry was severely injured in a motorcycle accident. He was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. His life was in danger.

end of Chapter 11