History
WRPI is both a community and college radio station, broadcasting out of the Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. The station grew from a campus news show broadcasted in the late 40s on another local station, WHAZ. The students responsible for the show started broadcasting on an AM carrier current, eventually moving to the FM dial. Today WRPI broadcasts at 10,000 watts in Troy, serving as a community vehicle for the RPI campus, while also serving the community at large in the Troy area.
Organization
WRPI runs with the help of about 150 volunteers. Of course, being a college, not all of these volunteers can work year round. This is where the greater community comes in. When students cannot fill the slots at the station, non student volunteers make sure that the station keeps running.The station is completely volunteer run, with the lone exception of the person who cares for the transmitter.
The volunteers all serve under one of the various director positions that make up the Executive Committee ("E-comm"). These are; the president, station manager, chief engineer, program director, public relations, business manager, and member at large.
The President is the main rep for WRPI, overseeing meetings and commiserating with outside groups. The Station Manager essentially runs the station, making sure it is in order. The Chief Engineer does what engineers do, and the Program Director takes care of the station's programming. The Public Relations person is responsible for station publicity and promotion, and the Business Manager handles the finances. Finally, the Member at Large manages other miscellany, like intern training, volunteer disputes, and meeting times.
Each of these major positions have sub positions, which are rather amorphous and created as needed. The only sub positions which are always filled are the News Director, Music Director, and Webmaster positions. Sub officer positions can be created as need be, upon approval by the Executive Committee. Volunteers will find themselves doing various jobs. Just because one's title specifies one aspect of broadcasting doesn't mean one can't help in other areas.
The Executive Committee is comprised entirely of RPI students. With the reality of enrollment fluctuation, positions change frequently as does the station schedule. The station structure is specific, but not so rigid that it cannot accept modifications every few weeks.
In addition to the Executive Committee, the station is supported by an outside group called The Friends of WRPI. The group helps bridge the gap between the college and outside community, and also raises money for the station. Besides the help from The Friends of WRPI, the station is primarily funded by the Student Union. WRPI follows FCC guidelines. Unlike WISU, the students have much more control over how the station is run and its day to day operations. From its beginnings as a radio club in the former part of the last century, WRPI has evolved into a station that is simultaneously, neatly structured and fluid.
Address
WRPI 91.5 FM
1 WRPI Plaza
Troy, New York 12180
PHONE
:requests: 518-276-6248
business: 518-276-2648
FAX: 518-276-2360
Wrap Up
WRPI is run by all volunteers, except one staff person who handles the transmitter. All executive positions are student run. They rely on University and community support. Ideal for a college/university looking to run a station democratically while nurturing ties with outside community. Also ideal for any group that predicts high volunteer turnover. Would require a large amount of people to fill positions to mirror this model, though perhaps could be replicated on a smaller scale. Works hierarchically but with a loose hierarchy. Due to the nature of the institution, turnover is too high for any one person to assume too much power.
