BACKGROUND:
In September 1996, Clinch Valley College was awarded a planning
grant by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA). The College used the grant to conduct a study on the
feasibility of operating the first public radio station in
far southwest Virginia. Based on the favorable study results,
the College applied for, and was awarded, an NTIA grant to
help construct the station and an FCC construction permit.
Approval is pending for the call letters WCVC.
DISCUSSION:
The Coalfields region has limited access to public radio stations.
Those public stations that can be heard are in neighboring
states and do not provide significant news about Virginia
or the region. The College will provide an important public
service by broadcasting state news, and the radio station
will increase the College’s name recognition and prestige.
In the long term, the station may provide curricular and work-study
opportunities.
FCC requirements state that the non-profit organization (the
University) have a governing board which must hold the broadcast
license, thus making the University legally responsible for
compliance with FCC regulations. This arrangement will be
similar to the existing relationship between WTJU and the
Board of Visitors.
The College recommends that the NTIA grant and the FCC construction
permit be accepted. Additionally, the College requests that
the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the University be authorized to enter into a broadcast license
agreement on behalf of The Rector and Visitors of the University
of Virginia, as would be necessary to make the radio station
fully operational.
ACTION
REQUIRED: Approval by the Clinch Valley College and the
Board of Visitors.
APPROVAL
OF THE RADIO STATION
WHEREAS, Clinch Valley College has conducted a feasibility
study indicating support for a public radio station in southwest
Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) has awarded Clinch Valley College a grant to help construct
the station; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has awarded
Clinch Valley College a construction permit for a public radio
station; and
WHEREAS, the College will need to apply for an FCC broadcast
license in order that the radio station become fully operatonal;
and
WHEREAS, the College will provide an important public service
by operating the radio station;
RESOLVED that the NTIA grant and the FCC construction permit
are accepted; and
RESOLVED FURTHER that the Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer is authorized to enter into a broadcast
license agreement on behalf of The Rector and Visitors of
the University of Virginia;
RESOLVED FURTHER that the operation of a public radio station
by Clinch Valley College is approved.
