Mission Statement

KCWU is as an out-of-classroom learning laboratory utilizing a real-world broadcast environment to foster lifelong communication, public speaking, workplace accountability, teamwork, and leadership skills important for successful citizenship and success in any chosen career. KCWU programming provides a significant and viable alternative to other media sources, broadcast and otherwise, available to listeners in the station's primary service area. KCWU programming and events seek to educate, entertain, and inform the public; shape and sustain a vibrant local music scene; and represent a full spectrum of world culture, ethnicity, art, and expression.

Introduction

KCWU is a student-operated public media organization supported by Services and Activities fees. KCWU operates under a non-commercial, educational FM broadcast license, issued by the FCC to the CWU Board of Trustees. KCWU is administered by the CWU Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and seeks input from an ethnically and racially diverse advisory board representative of the University and greater Ellensburg communities.

Participants interact daily with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities as they gain skills in on-air announcing, audio production, broadcast news and public affairs programming, copywriting, fundraising, marketing, promotional event management and organization. Special emphasis is given to programs and events originating from and communicating information about activities and issues within the local community. All station programming, both routine and controversial, will be planned, developed, and implemented in keeping with the true intent of the Communications Act of 1934, which is to serve the public interest and convenience.

KCWU conducts on-going needs and interest assessments to ensure accountability to the University and external communities, in accordance with the station's mission. Priority for station involvement is given to CWU students, with additional opportunities offered to all members of the University community without discrimination on the basis of education, religion, race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, political or sexual orientation, gender, physical disability and/or experience in broadcasting.

KCWU staff and management operate the station in a professional and ethical manner, as their skills and experience permit. KCWU actively promotes an environment of consultation, compromise and mutual respect for one another and for the station's mission. KCWU is a station of real people sharing their hopes, dreams, love of music, concerns, and opinions through dynamic, responsive and responsible broadcasting.

General Information

Call Letters

KCWU

Frequency

88.1 FM

Power

500 Watts

Coverage

30-mile radious Ellensburg, Kittitas, Thorp, Cle-Elum, and Roslyn

Target Audience

Men and women ages 18-34, with emphasis on CWU students

Funding

Dedicated Services and Activities Fees; State funding for civl service employees; grant, donor, and underwriter support for station programming, promotions, staff development, and capital projects and purchases.

Staff

1 Full-Time General Manager; 2-3 Full-Time Civl Service Staff; 8 paid student employees; 40+ volunteer staff.

Professional Affiliations

Washington State Assosciation of Broadcasters (WSAB); Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS); National Association of Broadcasters (NAB); National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB)

Contact Information

Phone Numbers
Front Office   : (509) 963-2283
E-mail KCWU
Mail :

Public File

Anyone may view the station's Public Inspection File between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, at our main office location on the Central Washington University, Student Union and Recreation Center Building, Room 120.

Questions regarding our Public Inspection File may be directed to Randy Beckstead, Operations and Program Director: (509) 963-2414; E-mail.

A copy of our station's Public Inspection File is also located, for your convenience, in the Student Union and Recreation Center's "Operations and Scheduling" Office, Room 146.

For online information about Public Inspection File guidelines for FM broadcast stations, consult the FCC's website at www.fcc.gov.