June 22, 2005
Dear Colleagues and Lawrentians:
I am writing to inform you that plans are to convert WLFM from a FCC-licensed FM signal to an expanded Internet broadcasting format at the beginning of the 2005-2006 academic year. The change will affect only the broadcast signal of the station, which will remain a student operation with student control over programming.
With the steady deterioration of the station's aging equipment, the erosion over the years of WLFM's broadcast range, and plans by Wisconsin Public Radio to go digital, Lawrence is confronted with the need to invest several hundred thousand dollars in the next few years to continue current operations.
I do not believe that would be a wise investment for the college, especially at a time when new communication technologies such as Internet broadcasting are increasingly replacing more traditional broadcasts.
In determining this course of action, the enthusiasm of the students and the alumni who have been involved in campus broadcasting, the immense popularity of Trivia Weekend, and the long and cherished history of WLFM itself were important considerations. We sought ways of ensuring that those traditions and the opportunity for Lawrence students to be involved in broadcast production be preserved and protected. Under the circumstances, a change in format seemed the best way of accomplishing those aims.
The college has reached an agreement with Starboard Media Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit company located in Green Bay, for the assignment of WLFM's FM broadcast license and the sale of its equipment. Funds from the sale will be made available to improve production facilities and significantly enhance WLFM's webcasting capabilities.
Due to the nature of such negotiations in the broadcast arena and at the instruction of legal counsel, we were unable to involve the WLFM student managers and others in the process before now.
It is my wish and expectation that in the coming months and into the new academic year interested students be actively involved in planning and implementing this next stage in WLFM's development and exploring additional opportunities for the future.
Sincerely,
Jill Beck
President
Lawrence University