WMTS Policy Manual
Table of Contents:
1. Important Numbers and Contact Info
2. WMTS History
3. Responsibilities of the On-Air Staff (a.k.a. DJs)
6. Polices
Welcome to
WMTS FM
88.3
MTSU’s Student Run Radio Station
Studio A Line - 898-5051
Office - 898-2636
Fax Line - 898-5682
Radio Television/Photography - 898-5628
Stephan Foust (Faculty Advisor) - 494-7894
Dr. Robert Spires (Chairman of RATV) – 898-2217
WMOT - 898-2800
Campus Security - 898-2424 (or 911 for emergencies only)
Murfreesboro Airport ATIS (for up to date temperature) - 849-2622
Murfreesboro Police and Fire Dispatch - 893-1311
Contact Information
website: http://www.mtsu.edu/~wmts
mailing address:
WMTS Student Radio
MTSU Box 58
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132-0001
It all started with a dream and a few parts. . .
In 1992, a group of students came together to create what is now known as WMTS. WMTS is the result of a fourth attempt to get a student run radio station in operation at Middle Tennessee State University. While our sister station, WMOT employs students, many other students in the campus community felt “left out” and unrepresented. The group of students, led by Reza Bhakter, managed to create enough interest to build a studio from the Radio/TV department’s equipment scrap heap. The first broadcast started in March 1992 on campus cable channel 38 (the campus housing channel) from 8pm to midnight. The call letters were WNAR which stood for We Need a Radio. This statement expressed the need for an FM frequency and a transmitter to enter the realm of the airwaves. As time drew on, more interest grew in MTSU’s student radio station. Our membership grew from around 15 students to over 100 students (which is our present day status). In 1995, we were finally awarded a construction permit to build our FM transmission facilities and broadcast on 88.3 FM. The initial tests and later broadcasts were in mono over a low fidelity broadcast line. Needless to say, we sounded horrible. But we had finally done it. We made it to the FM band and were broadcasting to Middle Tennessee at 200 watts. As a goodwill gesture to our success of getting a frequency, WMTS 810 AM (now known as WAPB) donated their call letters to the station. They felt since we were MTSU’s station, the “M-T-S” in the call letters would better represent the university. As the year drew to a close, we knew an audience was slowly building for the station. Near the end of the Fall 1995 semester, WMTS finally went stereo. This was a landmark advance in our programming since the signal didn’t sound horrible like before. It was a catalyst for establishing more contacts with record labels to get more music into WMTS. Our station went to a 24/7 operation during Christmas break with an automation system donated by WMOT. Ever since this time, WMTS has expanded it’s programming into new realms of entertainment. The future of WMTS is endless. Some of our future goals are broadcasting on the Internet and increasing our power to cover a larger portion of Middle Tennessee. Our future depends on you and the Middle Tennessee community. WMTS can only succeed through the power of the people.
Responsibilities of the On Air Staff
Being on the air is a privilege afforded to by responsible
Full members. While operating the on-air console, DJs must keep in mind that
they represent the entire staff. Because of this, it is important to maintain a
high quality presentation while on the air.
From time to time, record and listen to your broadcasts to try to find mistakes
or things to improve upon. If you have any questions, review the recording with
an experienced Full Member or the Program Director. Arrive to the studio no more
than 10 minutes before your show is scheduled to start. Once you have settled in
and have started your first song, you should take the transmitter readings and
fill out the transmitter log. These are to be done every two hours (or once a
show). Make sure that you check the Program Clock to see what needs to be played
during your next break. Program the wavecart for the break as soon as possible
so that it will be ready. There are three breaks that must be played. They are
as follows:
Bottom of the hour (:30 minute):
1. Stab
2. PSA (Public Service Announcement)
3. Promo
4. Liner
5. Read the Concert Calendar
:50 minute break:
1. Liner
2. PSA
3. Promo
4. Stab
Top of the hour (:00
minute):
1. Promo
2.Legal ID
A Legal ID is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at the top
of every hour. A Legal ID is a station’s call letters and the city that the
license is registered in. Our Legal ID is WMTS MURFREESBORO.
Always try to stay one step ahead of yourself. Make sure you know what song you
are going to play next and have it cued up. Also, program the wavecart ASAP so
that you don’t have to hurry at the last minute.
While on the air, run the board levels at an appropriate volume. You want the
levels to be around 0dB on the VU meter. DO NOT GO INTO THE RED.
Once you are on the air, you are responsible for the security of the station. If
you are alone in the station and it is after hours, make sure the door to the
on-air studio is locked. If an unfamiliar person walks in, politely ask if you
can help him or her. If you are busy with you show, ask them to return later.
Only station members are allowed to use the station equipment. Non-students
walking in off the street are not allowed in the station. If you have problems
with station members, call the General Manager or Program Director.
Clean up after yourself! Put away any CD’s, records, or tapes you have used and
properly dispose of any trash.
The Station’s Sound Depends on YOU!!
Preparing the Program
Every hour on the air requires at least 20 minutes off the air in preparation
for a quality show. Listen to music. Know every album on the playlist. Go
through the music library: get acquainted with the music that you do not know.
Be informed about the musicians. Read about the music.
If you continue to play just what you know, it is going to get old pretty fast.
You and your listener will get bored.
How many different forms of music can you name? And how can you fit a variety of
music into the show? What makes your show different from others? What makes it
the same? These are some of the questions you must ask yourself when preparing
for your show.
Preparing the Music
There are many different genres of music. You want to keep a balance between
them during each hour. Think about the records you are pulling and be sure that
they are not all in the same groove.
DAYPARTING: consider the time of day that your show runs. Are the listeners
waking up, cleaning house, eating dinner, or are they really ready to listen to
the radio? Prepare the pacing of the show. Play different genres of music and
vary the tempo. Each set should have some internal rhythm and flow smoothly.
Going from one song to another should make good musical sense. You can say
something with the music. You may want to explore a concept or present a state
of mind or situation from different thematic, musical points of view. If people
get the idea you are doing this, they may listen more closely. Know how your
cuts start and end to enhance your mixes.
Announcing Songs
When beginning a break, say who is playing when you are talking over the final
notes of the song. Back announce the prior artist. Do not back announce artists
that have been forward announced.
If you have information on the artist which is relevant, interesting and not
commonly known, share it with your audience. Look through album reviews and jot
down notes that you can share with your audience when preparing the show. At the
end of the break introduce the song you are talking into. You may also want to
“billboard” upcoming artists or on-air happenings. A billboard is a “hook”,
something to get the listener interested and keep them tuned in. Anything out of
the ordinary coming up in the show--celebrity interviews, sports events, should
be billboarded.
Effective On-Air Communication
Imagine that you are talking with your closest friend when you are on the air.
You are talking about music, something that you really enjoy. You have just
heard a new band or listened to a new album, and you really want to turn your
best friend on to it. That is the conversation you want to achieve while you are
announcing. You want to keep your listeners interested. You must perform,
entertain and persuade your listeners--sometimes all within a few seconds. Your
announcing must reinforce the station’s mission: entertaining an audience,
affirming the station’s hold on that audience the overall sound of the station.
Your voice is your radio personality. Your voice is that your listeners think
you look like, and what your listeners think you think about yourself. It is
essential that you communicate one-on-one with your listeners.
WMTS’s format consists of longer cuts and relies heavily on the intimate
conversational style of your announcing. You need to acquire as much knowledge
as you possibly can about the music you are playing and be able to communicate
this knowledge as skillfully as possible.
WMTS DJ’s can be required to play six rotation songs an hour. This decision is
left up to the current Program Director. Music that is kept in the main studio
(Studio A) is considered rotation. College radio’s focus is on breaking new
artists and playing artists that can’t be heard anywhere else. Explore the music
in rotation and discover something new!!
At the end of you shift, make sure you have the top of the hour break programmed
on the wavecart for the DJ after you. Be courteous to the next DJ by cooperating
and doing whatever you can to make the transition to the next show easy and
quick. Have respect for the next DJ and make sure that your last song is short
enough to fit in your time slot and does not extend into the next DJ’s show.
The Internship process at WMTS is an integral part of the station. All applicants for full and alumni membership must complete the internship process. No exceptions will be made. To complete the internship process the intern must:
- Attend two meetings which consist of the technical meeting and the legal and procedural meeting
- Spend four weeks (four shows) with a DJ learning the operation of the station
- Pass a written and hands-on test
If an intern fails the written and/or hands-on test he/she will be allowed one make-up opportunity that semester. If the intern fails it again he/she will have to go through the internship process again next semester.
If an intern fails to complete any of these requirements in a satisfactory manner he/she will be denied full membership.
First semester DJs may not train Interns. Only Full DJs that have had a show for at least one semester may take Interns on their show.
The Internship process will be headed up by the Program Director. The Technical Director may assist in technical training of the Interns. The Station Manager will also monitor the interns to assure quality training and programming.
The offices of WMTS consist of the General Manger, Program
Director, Music Director, Promotions Director, Production Director, Technical
Director, and Business Manager. These are the elected positions. More positions
can be appointed by the elected officers. The officers of WMTS are responsible
for direct supervision of the station’s daily operations.
Officers are voted upon in March so that newly elected officers can have a
chance to learn the position from the current officer. Each office is to be held
for one year and the term begins at the beginning of the summer semester.
Persons wishing to hold the same office after their term must run again. Each
officer must familiarize him/herself with station policy, chain of command, and
history and their responsibilities, and must establish the responsibilities
within his/her department.
The General Manager oversees all station operations to insure that the station
is serving the University community in the best interest. The General Manager
must make sure that the station is operating in an orderly fashion. Business
matters, station maintenance, and programming must be monitored to insure that
the highest level of broadcasting quality is presented. A good working
relationship with all station members and the MTSU administration is required to
maintain good operating procedures.
Running a radio station is a major task. To make this task as simple as
possible, responsibilities for specific duties should be delegated to the
appropriate department. Department heads will develop a staff to help run each
department. All station members having an air slot must join a department. This
way, no one person will be burdened with the responsibility of doing all the
work. The station should be serving the public interest (i.e. the university
community) in the best way possible. Periodic review of the program schedule
with the Program Director and his or her staff to look for deficiencies will
help in this area. Day to day operations should be supervised by the General
Manager. The station should be adequately supplied with resources needed for day
to day operations.
The station should be kept in good technical condition. Meetings with the
engineering staff can help to define problem areas such as faulty or obsolete
equipment. Explore new methods of expanding the station’s technical
capabilities. Keep track of station inventory.
The office hours of the General Manager and the other officers should be posted.
Any questions on major issues concerning college radio operation may be directed
to the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Society (IBS).
Overall Responsibilities:
- Holds staff and station meetings
- Ensures that the station operates in compliance with FCC rules and regulations
and university policies
- Works with the DJs and officers to establish the station “sound” and to
promote the station on campus and in Murfreesboro
- Supervises staff on daily duties
- Sets deadlines for staff projects
Together with input from all station members, the Program Director establishes
the type of programming that will be broadcast throughout the week. Once the
programs have been put into place, people are to be put into appropriate slots
to carry out the scheduled programs. The Program Director must integrate music,
news, sports, and public affairs in a presentable and responsible manner.
Involving the University community with programming is a prime responsibility.
The program department is responsible for establishing and maintaining an
operation program schedule and is responsible for whatever goes on the air. This
is done by balancing the needs of our audience with our available resources. To
set up a program schedule, first allocate time slots for different types of
shows. Once the show title and definition have been developed, find people that
will execute the show as defined. More often than not, a show will be defined by
the human resources available. Once a show has been defined, it should remain in
a consistently scheduled time. If the person hosting the show needs a temporary
replacement, the replacement should make every effort to carry out the format of
the show, causing the change in hosts to be transparent to the listener.
When one show ends and another begins, intros and outros should be broadcast. An
example would be a Metal show ending and a Hip Hop show beginning. Before the
last song of the Metal show, the Metal DJ should wrap up and/or say goodbye to
the listener. The FCC requires that a station ID be given between shows. The Hip
Hop DJ should come on and greet the audience, making it thus clear that the
shows are in transition.
The program has three seasons, spring, fall, and summer (each according to the
semesters). Each season’s schedule should be established a few weeks before it
is to go into effect.
The Program Director holds the right to remove a show from
the air if he/she deems the show is no longer in the best interest of the
station. This decision must be supported by the Executive Board.
The public file is a folder that contains an outline of our program schedule,
ascertainment information, (surveys of what the listening audience considers to
be important issues), and any letters regarding our programming sent to us by
our listeners. The purpose of the public file is to demonstrate to the community
and to the FCC why we are on the air. This file should be kept in order so that
any person from the community can inspect these files. These files can be viewed
by the public during our normal business hours. The FCC requires that this file
be maintained for license renewals.
In the public file should be the Program Service Statement (PSS). The PSS is the
listing of our program schedule and what our broadcast intentions are (i.e. why
we are on the air). The PSS should include listings of issues and responsive
programming. The PSS should be updated quarterly, on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 30.
Overall Responsibilities:
- Responsible for anything that goes out on the air
- Monitors all on-air performance
- Researches audience needs and listening habits and meets them with effective
programming
- Recommends disciplinary actions against station staff to the General Manager
- Selects announcing staff
- Trains and monitors all new announcers
- Schedules music shows
- Handles no-shows and replacement announcers
Maintenance and expansion of the music library is the primary job of this
department. Receiving new service, maintaining old service, replacing damaged
albums, and issuing playlists to record companies on a regular basis are parts
of the responsibilities. Since most of our programming is music, the music
department has to maintain a smooth flow of music and music-related items into
the station. These items have to be kept in an organized manner so the staff
knows where to find them. When new music is received at the station, they are
placed in the ‘New” section. This allows the air staff to review the new music.
Music stays in the emphasis bin for one to three months. After that, they are
filed away.
This position is very important to the operation of WMTS, and requires a
well-organized, responsible and knowledgeable person to fulfill it.
Overall Responsibilities:
- Keeps in contact with labels
- Oversees the checking-in of new records
- Distributes the monthly playlist to all record services
- Obtains music industry information for DJs by subscribing to CMJ and other
trade magazines
Makes sure there are enough music department supplies (labels, playlists,
letterhead, etc.)
- Sets up interviews with performers
- Goes to trade conventions and makes new contacts
Public Relations & Promotions Director
The promotions director informs the community of what WMTS is all about. This
includes information on standard and special programming, opportunities
available at the station, and station information in general. Co-promotional
events help with outside clubs and organization are coordinated through this
department. WMTS offers a variety of programs at different times of the day.
Telling the audience when different shows are available is the responsibility of
this department. Station promotion can be done in a variety of ways. Details of
our program schedule, special broadcasts, and station meetings should be placed
in Sidelines.
Posters and pamphlets can be printed and distributed among the bulleting boards
on campus. DO NOT under any circumstances put flyers on cars or windows on
campus buildings. Promotional exchange can be worked out with local merchants.
Tickets or merchandise can be given away to the audience.
Overall Responsibilities:
- Advertises for the station
- Contacts local clubs, record companies, etc. to solicit giveaways. Coordinates
WMTS T-shirt sales and other fund raisers
- Compiles events calendar
- Sets up interviews with performers
The Technical Director is responsible for maintaining existing equipment and for
purchasing and installing new equipment when it is required. The FCC requires
that at least one person at a radio station be responsible for the technical
performance of the station. The Technical Director is also responsible for
repairing defective equipment.
Overall Responsibilities:
- repairing equipment
- maintaining equipment
- installing new equipment
- train interns on technical aspects
The Business Manager is responsible for handling all financial transactions at
the station. The Business Manager should keep track of each department’s budget
and how much money each department has spent. This information should be readily
available to the department heads. Getting bills processed in a timely manner is
important to the station’s credit rating. All purchase orders should be recorded
by the Business Manager. The Business Manager should automatically process the
station’s common cost items. The Business Manager is responsible for assuring
the University’s bidding requirements are met. Department heads should be
familiar with the University’s bidding policies, and it is up to the Business
Manager to make sure they are. Underwriting campaigns are to be organized by the
Business Manager in cooperation with the Production Director in order to
schedule acknowledgments.
Production Director oversees all media produced for broadcast. He/she is in charge of the creation of all promos, PSAs, legal IDs, stabs, liners, and underwriting ads. The Production Director is also in charge of all material on the wavecart machine. Updating new media to the wavecart is his or her responsibility.
Overall Responsibilities:
- create promos, PSAs, legal IDs, stabs, liners, underwriting
- manage the wavecart machine
Each semester a DJ is granted a show he/she must complete two credits. A credit can be earned by the following methods:
If a DJ does not complete two credits within a semester he/she is not eligible for a show for the following semester. If a DJ did not earn enough credits to have a show for the current semester he/she can complete them and obtain a show next semester.
For every semester, excluding summer, a DJ holds a show he/she will owe WMTS dues. The dues are currently set at 10 dollars. Failure to pay dues by the set deadline will result in the loss of the show for that semester. If a DJ wants a show next semester he/she will owe the dues for the previous semester.
WMTS DJs may be required to play 6 rotation songs an hour.
This decision is left up to the current Program Director to decide. If
implemented this ensures that the new music that is not being heard elsewhere is
getting played. It is highly recommended that you play music that is in
rotation even if the Program Director has not made it mandatory. The music
director works hard at getting this music for the stations and in order for
labels to continue servicing us, we need to play their music.
Specialty shows must be approved by the program director. A specialty show is
defined as a show that focuses on a specific genre of music that is not already
available at WMTS. A DJ who has been granted a specialty show is not required to
play rotation. But in order to keep the specialty show, the DJ must write the
labels of the music that he/she is specializing in and must add that specific
genre to WMTS’s rotation so that he/she will in fact be playing music in
rotation.
The programming on your show must meet two requirements. The first requirement is that your show must follow WMTS mission statement. The second requirement is that your show must follow guidelines set forth in the National Association of Broadcaster’s Statement of Principles. You should create your show proposal keeping these two ideas in mind. If you are given a show you must follow your show proposal. If for some reason you decide to alter you show in a drastic way please contact the program director. Violation of either of the two requirements can result in the loss of your show.
DJs must read at least 5 days of the concert calendar from the day of their show. Providing a community events calendar is part of WMTS’s programming statement. Failure to read the concert calendar will result in a Class B offense.
WMTS reserves the right to pre-empt shows. A situation where this can occur would be the station’s coverage of Lady Raider Basketball or any other special event. These special events most often will occur during a DJs time slot. This means that the station has the right to take over that time slot in order to air these events.
When a DJ checks out the keys to the station, it is the DJs duty to immediately return the keys back to campus security after their show. This is to allow another DJ to be able to check out the keys. Any DJ who keeps another DJ out of the station by not returning the keys will result in disciplinary action against the DJ.
Through the term of office the elected officers must be dedicated and be
available on a 24-hour basis. The show must go on! If you are unable to make it
to a show call the Program Director to notify him/her and possibly find a
replacement. If you experience major equipment failure or need emergency
assistance with technical matters, call the Technical Director. If you lock
yourself out of the station, call the General Manager before calling the other
officers.
The station has remote broadcasting equipment that is capable of doing a remote broadcast from anywhere in the Murfreesboro area. Any DJ with a show can do a remote broadcast. In order to do a remote broadcast the DJ must inform the Program and Technical Director of the broadcast at least one week beforehand. Be sure to give the Program Director all the necessary information (i.e. time, day, location, reason). Your remote broadcast can not preempt other DJ’s shows unless you have their permission. During the remote broadcast you are still required to say the legal ID which is WMTS, Murfreesboro. You may be required to sign a contract with further guidelines if the Production and Technical Director decide to implement one. Violation of a contract will result in a class C offense.
The FCC now requires that the caller must give their permission to be placed on
air. This means the first thing a DJ must do when they want to put a caller on
air is ask their permission OFF AIR FIRST. After the permission is given the
caller may be put on air. Please inform the caller that they have been placed
on the air. This can be accomplished by saying, “WMTS, you are on the air,
please don’t curse.” When putting phone calls on the air, you are responsible
for what the caller says. If the caller begins to use profanity, immediately cut
the channel off on the board and then immediately hit the delete button on the
delay. DO NOT CALL UP PEOPLE AND PUT THEM ON THE AIR WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE. It
is illegal to do so and disciplinary action will be taken.
MTSU alumni are allowed to be members of WMTS Student Radio. However, because WMTS is a student run and based radio station student members will receive priority for show slots as seen fit by the Program Director. Alumni members are not allowed to run for the Executive Board. They also do not have the right to vote on any station business.
It is station policy that WMTS DJs do not talk about station business on the
air. This is to keep in accordance with the section of the programming statement
referring to positive programming for the community. Station Business is defined
as anything pertaining to the internal operations of the station such as: issues
covered at station meetings, personal issues, technical issues, security issues,
financial issues, and departmental issues. Station Business does not concern our
listeners. Do not refer to what people talked about in a station meeting because
WMTS Staff should be able to speak their mind at a meeting without having to
worry about being bashed on someone else’s show. If you have an issue that needs
to be dealt with, follow the grievance procedure as outlined in Article VIII of
the WMTS Student Radio Constitution:
ARTICLE VIII
Station Business & Grievance Procedure
Station business is not allowed to be discussed at anytime
on the air. Discussing station business on-air will result in immediate
dismissal. Members of the organization MUST use the following grievance
procedure to solve their problems with the Executive Board off-air rather than
on-air:
A) Make an appointment to meet with the director of the division under which
his/her issue/complaint falls. The divisions are as follows:
1. Programming
2. Music
3. Promotions
4. Technical
5. Business
6. Production
B) Following implementation of (A), if the issue/complaint remains unresolved,
the member may make a motion for a hearing with the Station Manager and the
director of the division from (A).
C) Following implementation of (B), if the issue/complaint
remains unresolved, the member may make a motion for a hearing with the Faculty
Advisor and the Executive Board. The decision rendered by the Faculty Advisor is
final.
D) Officers of the Executive Board may use (B) through (C) for their grievances.
DJs are not allowed to perform calls to action over the air. A call to action is any command. An example would be, “Hey go to this show,” or “Listen to this because it’s the best CD ever.” Performing a call to action on the air will result in disciplinary action.
DJs are not allowed to mention prices on the air. This includes the word free. It’s best not to try and mention anything doing with money. So for example NEVER say something like this; “The show will cost 5 dollars,” or “This is a free event.” Mentioning prices on the air will result in disciplinary action.
WMTS DJs and Officers are required to attend station meetings. We understand
that it is not always possible to show up to every meeting, so notify the
Program Director of your absence ahead of time. Failure to notify the Program
Director before hand will result in an unexcused absence. Missing more than
three meetings or shows unexcused will result in the loss of your show. Station
Meetings are important to attend so that everyone can be informed about what is
going on at the station. Also, sometimes voting occurs about certain issues and
it is important for everyone to be there.
It is important to keep the noise to a moderate level. We are tenants of the LRC
and we have to think of the others that use the building. Classes are held in
the building and other university services are housed in the LRC. We want to
keep these people happy so we can continue to have a radio station. Keep all
doors to the station closed to cut down on the noise. Try and keep the studio
monitors at a decent level so that the sound does not travel in to the hallway
outside the station.
Guests are the responsibility of the DJ that invited them. If a guest violates
station policy the DJ during that time slot will be held responsible. At no time
may a Guest run any part of the station. That includes the board, CD players,
phone, wavecart, etc. If a guest is caught operating station equipment (beside
the Nintendo), the DJ will be charged with a class C offense. The total number
of people allowed in the studio at any given time is 7 people. If you are going
to have a band or other types of guests on that will exceed the 7 person limit
please contact the station manager before hand. Violation of the number of
guests limit will result in a class B offense.
In keeping with our mission of training students for future broadcasting
careers, WMTS may work deals with classes to participate in newscasts or other
areas. All scheduled education endeavors on the air take full priority over
anything else. For example, if you have an interview with a national act and the
band shows up late at the time the News Class is supposed to do their newscast
live on the air, then you must wait to conduct your interview until the newscast
is over. If scheduled educational endeavors are pre-empted by a DJ, that DJ will
receive disciplinary action.
There is no smoking, drugs, or alcohol allowed in the building. That means that
you cannot go into the bathroom to smoke. Doing this does not put WMTS in good
standing with the Dean of the LRC. We want to continue to have a radio station.
If you have to smoke, take it outside. No illegal narcotics are allowed in the
studio. No beer in the studio either. If your guests bring it up to the studio,
you are responsible for making sure that it is removed from the building. If
there are cigarette butts or beer bottles left behind in the station or the
bathroom, and it can be traced to your show, you will have to face the
consequences.
NO STEALING of ANYTHING. You will be immediately dismissed from the station and
you can be prosecuted.
DJs are required to follow the Program Clock when playing their breaks. This
gives our station a more professional sound. The program clock also consists of
our concert calendar which is a part of our programming statement.
Keep a playlist so that the music director can compile the Top 30 that he/she reports to CMJ. This is a very important part of the station receiving new music.
All station fundraising must go through the Business Manager. There is to be NO
PERSONAL FUNDRAISING. This is illegal. All money raised by the station has to go
into the WMTS account and cannot be pocketed by station members for personal
expenses. You cannot raise money for individuals at the station. The money has
to be raised ONLY FOR THE STATION. Using the station to raise money for personal
gain is illegal and is also against University policy.
DJs are allowed three unexcused absences during the semester. These absences are a combination of shows and meetings (i.e. if you miss one show and two meetings that counts as three absences). A total of three unexcused absences will result in the loss of your show. If you lose your show you can reapply for a show for the next semester. Excused absences are not logged as absences. The Program Director reserves the right to decide what an excused absence is. In order to receive an excused absence contact the Program Director before your absence.
As part of our Public License File we are required to log the activity of the transmitter. This is done by calling the transmitter and entering a group of codes to get automated information from the transmitter. This should be done once a show. Transmitter logs also act as your attendance.
Obscene and Indecent Broadcasts
It is a violation of federal law to broadcast obscene, indecent or profane language. Obscene speech is not protected by the First Amendment and cannot be broadcast at any time. To be obscene, material must meet a three prong test: (1) an average person, applying contemporary community standards, must find that the material, as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (2) the material must depict or describe, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable law and (3) the material, taken as a whole, must lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The following words are not allowed: shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits, pussy, cock, dick, asshole, goddamn, twat. If you hear any of these words, the only way you can be 100% sure that they won’t reach the airwaves is to CUT THE CHANNEL OFF FIRST, THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON WITHIN 5 SECONDS. If you hit delete first and there is a cuss word waiting right there, it will get through and it will be repeated due to how the delay works. So shut the channel off first and then hit delete. You are responsible for any words that make it to the airwaves.
WMTS also follows the National Association of Broadcasters Statement of Principles. Violation of this document can result in the same consequences as cursing.
Offenses will be broken up into different levels based upon
how serious the offense is.
- Class A consists of minor offenses and will be handled this way. First
their will be a warning. The second time the offense occurs the offender will be
placed on suspension for 1 week. The third time the offense occurs a 4 week
suspension is implemented. The fourth time a Class A offense occurs it will
result in dismissal from WMTS. Class A offenses of a DJ will be wiped clean from
his/her record at the beginning of the Fall Semester
- Class B consists of more serious offenses. 1st Class B offense is a
verbal warning. The 2nd Class B offense is a 4 week suspension. The 3rd Class B
offense is dismissal from WMTS.
- Class C consists of fairly serious offenses. Things that may cause our
license to be revoked are included. First Class C Offense is a 4 week
suspension. The second Class C Offense is dismissal from WMTS.
- Immediate Dismissal from WMTS without Loss of Membership consists of
serious offenses. Some of these may cause fines and/or the revoking of our
license. If found committing one of these offenses the offender will
immediately lose his/her show. However, the DJ is allowed to apply for a show
next semester. If a DJ loses their show twice this will result in loss of
membership.
- Immediate Dismissal from WMTS with Loss of Membership consists of the most serious offenses. Some of these may cause fines and/or the revoking of our license. If found committing one of these offenses the offender will immediately lose his/her show and membership to the station. This means the DJ may never get a show again or participate in any station activity.
Class A Offenses
- Not cleaning up after using studio A or B
- Talking over PSAs and Promos
- Failure to follow rotation requirement (if instituted by program director)
- Performing a call to action on the air
- Saying prices on the air
- Abusing station e-mail mailing list
Class B Offenses
- Not following the Program Clock
- Not returning the keys to security before the next DJ needs them
- Failure to execute a Legal ID at the top of the hour or at the beginning of a
new show as required by the FCC
- Failure to fill out the transmitter log
- Being too loud, causing a complaint to be issued against WMTS
- Exceeding the seven person limit in the station
Class C Offenses
- Talking about the key check-out system on-air
- Leaving the station unsecured (i.e. leaving the doors
propped open or not locking the doors).
- Playing curse words in music on the air
- Playing obscene and indecent music on air (see FCC definition above listed
under “obscene and indecent broadcasts”)
- Interference with previously scheduled educational endeavors, programs, or any
other commitments (i.e. newscasts by the news classes or Lady Raiders
Basketball, etc.)
- Allowing a non-member of WMTS to run the board or operate any station
equipment
- Modifying equipment configuration (includes moving record players or CD
players from their original position, changing compressor settings)
- Promoting illegal activity on the air (i.e. “I encourage all you kiddies to go
out and smoke some dope” “All you underage kids, go out and make fake ID’s so
you can drink”). WMTS can be sanctioned and even rendered an inactive
organization by the University for promoting illegal activity because we also
represent the University.
- Giving station members’ phone numbers to phone callers.
- Setting up cross-media endeavors involving the station without prior approval
of the appropriate officers (this includes simulcasts with MTTV (the student-run
TV Station, doing interviews with Sidelines or other media, changes to station
web-site), or doing a remote broadcast without permission.
- Broadcasting studio production work that has not been approved by the
Production Director (i.e. Promos, Station Id’s, PSAs, etc.).
- Defacing station property (includes graffiti on equipment & furniture).
- Violating the Remote Broadcast Contract
Immediate Dismissal from WMTS without Loss of Membership
- Three unexcused absences
- Failure to pay dues
- Talking about Station Business On-Air
- DJ cursing on air
- Guest cursing on air
- Caller cursing on air
- Station maintenance without approval from the engineering department
- Removing station equipment from the station (even with the intent of returning the equipment).
- Giving out someone’s personal phone number over the air.
- Having an open flame in studio (i.e. candles, incense)
- Being intoxicated while on the air (includes being under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances).
- Placing someone on the air against their will (in-studio or on phone). This includes making someone believe that they are not on the air when they actually are.
- Blatant and frequent violation of the WMTS Mission Statement or the National Association of Broadcaster’s Statement of Principles.
Immediate Dismissal from WMTS with Loss of Membership
- Drugs, alcohol, or smoking in any part of WMTS premises or the LRC
- Stealing anything from the station (also subject to prosecution).
- Calling up people and placing them on the air without their knowledge. This
can get us sued.
- Embezzlement of station funds (also subject to prosecution).
- Malicious damage to station equipment. Malicious damage is the intent to harm
(also subject to prosecution).
- Losing a show twice.
Any member of the radio station can appeal any of the above offenses brought against them by using the station grievance procedure.