WRAS Appeal - March 2015
description
Transcript of WRAS Appeal - March 2015
-
WRASAlbum88AppealSubmitted23February2015Signed:WRASStationRepresentative______________________________signature___________________________________________________________printedname title_______________________________________email
1
-
1. Introduction1.1. WRASisaStudentOrganization.1.2. WRASisaStudentOrganizationFundedbyMandatoryStudentActivityFees.1.3. WRASisaStudentOrganizationFundedThroughFeesandHasaBudget
ControlledbySpecificPolicy.1.4. ImplementationofTheIntergovernmentalRadioAgreementdirectlyimpactsthe
operationalmissionofWRASAlbum88.1.5. PriortoImplementationandDuringtheProcessofImplementingThe
IntergovernmentalRadioAgreement(TheAgreement)betweenGSUandGPBtheGSUAdministrationRepurposedFeesinSupportofTheAgreement.
1.6. TheAdministrationCircumventedPoliciesControllingtheApportioningofFeesandInDoingSo,ViolatedtheSAFCCounselandAdviceProcessintheUsageofStudentFeesExpendedfortheExecutionofTheAgreement.
1.7. AtNoPointDuringtheCreationorExecutionoftheAgreementDidtheAdministrationApproachtheCSCorWRASManagementtoConsultThemonMitigatingFinancialRiskFromFCCFines.
1.8. DocumentationofTheGrievance
1.1WRASisaStudentOrganization.WRAS,Album88(WRASAlbum88)astudentorganization(SO)runbystudentsof
GeorgiaStateUniversity(GSU),isopentoanystudentwhowishestoparticipateandservesasaterrestrialradiostationforstudentsandthesurroundingAtlantacommunity.ThestudentsofWRASAlbum88havebeenresponsibleforprogrammingandoperatingtheterrestrialFMstationWRAS88.5FM(WRASFM)Atlantasinceitsfounding44yearsago.ThisorganizationrepresentsamediaentityandisaSOwithaseatontheCouncilonStudentCommunications(CSC).MembersoftheCSCboard,TheSignal,NewSouth,WRASAlbum88,andGeorgiaStateTelevision(GSTV)aregovernedbytheCSCbylawsasthestudentmediaorganizations. The1
positionontheCSCboardestablishesthatWRASAlbum88isastudentorganization.
1.2WRASisaStudentOrganizationFundedbyMandatoryStudentActivityFees.AsamemberoftheCSCandastudentmediaorganization,WRASAlbum88isresponsible
foroverseeingandadministeringtheappropriationoffundstostudentmediaorganization(SMO)WRASAlbum88,makingiteligibletoreceivefundsapportionedbytheStudentActivityFeeCommittee(SAFC)formedia.WRASAlbum88isanSMOandisthereforeeligibleforreceiptof
1CouncilonStudentCommunicationsByLawssectionII
2
-
mandatorystudentactivityfees(fees)incompliancewithSAFCgoverningdocumentsandtheBoardofRegentsPolicyManual(BoRPolicyManual).
1.3WRASisaStudentOrganizationFundedThroughFeesandHasaBudgetControlledbySpecificPolicy.
AccordingtoGSUandBoardofRegentspoliciesandprocedures,WRASAlbum88isanestablishedSOandSMO.ThepoliciesforthegovernanceandoversightoffeesarewelldocumentedingoverningdocumentsfortheCSC1,theUniversity andtheBoardofRegents .2 3
PolicyclearlyestablishesthatSOandSMOfundingandtherepurposingoffundsintendedforaspecificSOaresubjecttoanadvisoryprocessoverseenbytheSAFCanditssubordinatefeecommittees.
1.4ImplementationofTheIntergovernmentalRadioAgreementdirectlyimpactstheoperationalmissionofWRASAlbum88.
InMay2014GSUannouncedthroughapressreleaseapartnershipbetweenitselfandGeorgiaPublicBroadcasting(GPB).ThisagreementwouldprovideGPBwith14hoursadayofbroadcasttimeontheterrestrialWRASFMsignalforwhichGSUisthelicenseholder.ThislicensehasbeenutilizedbyGSUthroughthestudentorganizationWRASAlbum88forthepast44yearswithequipmentandfeesfortheoperationofthestationpaidforthroughtheexpenditureofstudentactivityfeemoney.
Thisagreementwasmadebehindcloseddoorswithnoinputfromanyoftheoversightcommitteesthatoverseeeitherstudentcommunications,theCouncilonStudentCommunicationsorthecommitteesthatmakeuptheSAFC.ThisdealwasstruckinordertoprovideGPBwithaccesstotheAtlantaregionalradiomarketwiththeexpressinterestoffundraisingforGPBontheterrestrialbroadcastsignal.TheAgreementcreatesanewmissionforWRASAlbum88andthestudentsofWRASAlbum88wereinnowayinformedorgivenanopportunitytocommentonthischangeinmissionandtheredirectionoffeesthatwouldfollow.Whenimplemented,studentfeesandfacilitiesoriginallyallocatedforWRASAlbum88wereusedtopurchaseequipment,payforemployeetimealongwithotherexpensesforthesupportofGPB.ThemissionofWRASAlbum88forthepast44yearsatnotimehasincludedsupportofthefundraisingorbroadcastofGPB,oranyotherthirdparty,norhasatanypointintimethemissionbeentoprovidematerialforbroadcastonGPB,oranyotherthirdparty.GSUadministratorshavesimplyalteredthemissionofthisstudentorganizationwithoutanyinputfromthosestudentsaffectedortheCSCandspentfundsintendedforsupportofWRASAlbum88inawaythatisinconsistentwiththeestablishedmissionofprovidingaterrestrialradiostationoperatedandprogramedbystudentsthathasbeeninplaceforthepast44years.
2StudentActivityFeeGuidelines,revised2012sectionII3BoardofRegentsPolicyManual7.3.2.1
3
-
1.5PriortoImplementationandDuringtheProcessofImplementingTheIntergovernmentalRadioAgreement(TheAgreement)betweenGSUandGPB,theGSUAdministrationRepurposedFeesinSupportofTheAgreement.
Since2013,theAdministrationofGSUhasbeenusingfeesallocatedfortheoperationofWRASAlbum88,anestablishedSO,insupportofTheAgreement.WithoutSAFCapprovalorknowledge,feeshavebeenusedforthepurchaseofanewtransmitter,otherengineeringpurchases,employeehoursforthestationengineer,andnumerousothercosts.Theexpenditureofthesefundsinthismannerrepresentsasignificantchangeinthepurposeofstudentactivityfundsfromsupportingtheterrestrialstudentbroadcasttosupportingthebroadcastofaprivatestatewidegovernmentbroadcaster,GeorgiaPublicBroadcasting.
1.6TheAdministrationCircumventedPoliciesControllingtheApportioningofFeesandInDoingSo,ViolatedtheSAFCCounselandAdviceProcessintheUsageofStudentFeesExpendedfortheExecutionofTheAgreement.
ManyofthecontrolandoversightpoliciesinvolvingstudentfeeswereviolatedbytheadministratorsofGSU.TheAdministrationofGSUengagedinwithholdinginformationfromtheSAFCandCSC,intheCSCsroleastheMediaFeeCommittee(MFC),thatiscriticaltoeachcommitteesabilitytoserveintheoversightandadvisoryrolethatisrequiredbythepoliciesandproceduresgoverningthehandlingofstudentactivityfees.ThepoliciesthatgoverntheseprocessesareveryclearlyestablishedintheBoardofRegentsPolicyManual(BoRPolicyManual)insection7.3,specifically7.3.2.1,theBoardofRegentsBusinessandProceduresManual(BoRBusinessManual)section24.2and24.3,GSUStudentActivityFeeGuidelinesrevised2012(2012SAFG)sectionsIIandIV,andCSCbylawsI,IIandV.
ThisviolationofpolicyandprocessclearlycompromisedtheabilityoftheSAFCandtheCSCtoexecutetheiradviceandcounselroleandmakerecommendationstotheAdministrationontheproperallocationandpurposingoffeesforWRASAlbum88.BecausetheAdministrationofGSUdidnotrevealthatthesefundswouldbedivertedtowardTheAgreement,theSAFCandCSCraisednoconcernsorquestionsabouttheallocationoffeesforWRASAlbum88.ItisclearfromthebehaviorandcommunicationsoftheadministratorsinvolvedinimplementingTheAgreementthatthiswithholdingofinformationfromtheSAFCandtheCSCwasundertakeninordertoinfluencetherecommendationoftheSAFCintheapprovaloffees .Theactionsofthe4
Administrationappeartointentionallycircumventthiswelldefinedprocess,andthislackoftransparencyandviolationofprotocolrepresentsaseriousbreachoftrustbetweenstudentsandtheGSUAdministration.
Furthermore,byallocatingstudentfeesforthesupportofTheAgreement,theGSUAdministrationhasimplicitlyencumberedstudentfeestopaypotentialFederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)finesresultingfromtheimplementationofTheAgreementinthatthe
4AddendumIitem2:EMailfromMr.JeffWalkertoDr.DouglasCoveyonconcernsabouttheagreementandonfundingtheWRASFMtransmitterpurchaseforGPB,January2013
4
-
AdministrationhasassignedthefeesallocatedtoWRASAlbum88forthesupportofGPBbroadcastsonWRASFM.ThishasexposedtheUniversity,astheFCClicenseholder,tosignificantfiscalliabilitieswhich,basedonthestudentfeestructure,itisreasonabletoexpectwouldbemetthroughpaymentofstudentfees.
1.7AtNoPointDuringtheCreationorExecutionoftheAgreementDidtheAdministrationApproachtheCSCorWRASManagementtoConsultThemonMitigatingFinancialRiskFromFCCFines.
ThebylawsthatgoverntheCSCstatethatTheCSCendorsesandsupportstheauthorityofeachmediaheadtosetandenforceoperationalpolicies .Additionally,theCSChasa5
responsibilitytoensurethatWRASAlbum88operationalpolicyisinaccordancewithFCCregulation .ThisimpliesthatitistheroleoftheCSCtoensurethattheoperationalpoliciesadopted6
byanypartyoperatingWRASFMarecompliantwithFCCregulation.GPBhasfounditselfoutsideofFCCcomplianceseveraltimessincehavingcomeonairin
June2014.Forexample,GPBhadmultipleinstancesofgoingoffairforhoursatatimeinJulythroughAugust2014.Additionally,WRASFM(GSU)wasissuedawarningbytheFCCinAugust2014duetoGPBsfailuretocomplywithhourlystationidentificationregulations.TheAgreementexposestheuniversitytoFCCpenaltiesshouldGPBfailtoremainincompliancewithFCCdirectivesgoverninghowbroadcastoutletsmustoperate.AsnotedinSection1.6,theseinstancesofnoncomplianceplaceGSUatfinancialriskand,basedonthepoliciesgoverningstudentfees,placestudentactivityfeesatrisk.TheAdministrationsfailuretoinvolvethecounseloftheWRASAlbum88GeneralManagerwhilesettingoperationalpolicyforthestationendangersthegoodstandingofthestationandplacesstudentfeesatriskwithoutinputfromstudentsonhowtheymaybebestprotected.TheGSUadministrationhasprovidednopolicy,processdirectives,ormanualstoWRASAlbum88managementaboutexpectationsofGPBbroadcastduringthedaytoensureFCCcomplianceandbroadcastprofessionalismorwhatstudentsofWRASAlbum88shoulddoshouldGPBbefoundviolatingFCCpolicy.GPBhasbeenallowedtouseWRASFMairwavesfortheirownbroadcastcontentwithoutconsultationoroversightbythebroadcastholder(GSU)orstudentsprovidingfundingfortowerandequipment,onwhichGPBisbroadcasting.
1.8DocumentationoftheGrievanceContainedinthisdocumentissignificantdocumentationofGSUadministrators
circumventingorignoringpoliciessetinplacetoprotectmandatorystudentfeesfrommisappropriation.Section2willoutlineallrelevantpoliciesandprovidesomecontextforthewaythatwetheappealingpartyunderstandthesepoliciestobeineffect.Section3providesspecific
5CSCByLawssectionV.36CSCByLawssectionV.5
5
-
violationsanddemonstrateshowthesepolicieswereviolated.Section4givesanoverviewofthedamagescausedbyTheAgreementtoWRASAlbum88studentsandthestudentbodyofGSUingeneralwithsection5providingspecificrequestsforredress.Additionaladdendumshavebeenprovidedwhennecessarytoincludespecificdocumentation.TheseclaimsshowablatantdisregardoracompletelackofunderstandingbyhighrankingmembersoftheGSUadministrationfortheroleoftheSAFCandthepoliciesandproperproceduresoftheGeorgiaBoardofRegentsandimportanceofoversightofstudentmandatoryfeemoney.ThisbehaviorisunethicalandviolatesmanypoliciesputinplacebytheBoardofRegents(BoR)andtheUniversityitselfinordertoprotectthesefundsandthestudentswhopayandbenefitfromthemfromthiskindofunregulatedunilateralofbehavior.
6
-
2. ReviewandInterpretationofApplicablePolicies2.1. BoRPolicyManualSection7.3.2.12.2. BoRBusinessProceduresManual24.22.3. BoRBusinessProceduresManual24.3.12.4. CouncilonStudentCommunications(CSC)ByLawsSectionI,II,andV2.5. 2012StudentActivityFeeGuidelines(SAFG)SectionsII,III,andIV
2.1BoardofRegentsPolicyManualSection7.3.2.1MandatoryStudentFees
2.1.1VerbatimPolicy
MandatorystudentfeesaredefinedasfeesthatarepaidbyallstudentsasrequiredbytheBoardofRegentsorasrequiredbytheinstitutionsubjecttoapprovalbytheBoardofRegents.Whenthereisachangeinthepurposeofthemandatoryfee,itshallbesubjecttoapprovalbytheBoardofRegents(BoRMinutesMay2010).Mandatoryfeesshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto:
1. Intercollegiateathleticfees2. Studenthealthservicefees3. Transportationorparkingfees(ifthelatterarechargedtoall
students)4. Studentactivityfees5. Technologyfeesand6. Facilityfees.(BoRMinutes,January2010)
AllmandatoryfeesshallbeapprovedbytheBoardofRegentsatitsmeetinginApriltobecomeeffectivethefollowingfallsemester.ExceptionstothisrequirementmaybegranteduponrecommendationoftheChancellorandtheapprovaloftheBoardofRegents.Aninstitutionmaywaivemandatoryfeesforstudentswhoareenrolledforfewerthansix(6)credithours.Alternatively,institutionsmayproratemandatoryfeesonapercredithourbasisforstudentstakingfewerthantwelve(12)credithours.InstitutionsmayelecttoreduceBoardapprovedmandatoryfeesforstudentsenrolledinsummercourses.Proposalssubmittedbyaninstitutiontoincreasemandatorystudentfees,proposalstocreatenewmandatorystudentfees,orachangeinthepurposeofamandatoryfee,shallfirstbepresentedforadvice
7
-
andcounseltoacommitteeateachinstitutioncomposedofatleastfiftypercent(50%)students,exceptinspecialcircumstanceswhenageneralpurposefeeisinstitutedsystemwidebytheBoardofRegents(BoRMinutes,June2009,revisedMay2010).Thecommitteeshallincludeatleastfourstudents,whoshallbeappointedbytheinstitutionsstudentgovernmentassociation.Institutionsandstudentgovernmentassociationsshouldmakeaconcertedefforttoincludebroadrepresentationamongthestudentsappointedtothecommittee(BoRMinutes,January2010).Allmandatorystudentfeescollectedbyaninstitutionshallbebudgetedandadministeredbythepresidentusingproperadministrativeprocedures,whichshallincludetheadviceandcounselofanadvisorycommitteecomposedatleastfiftypercent(50%)students,exceptinspecialcircumstanceswhenageneralpurposefeeisinstitutedsystemwidebytheBoardofRegents(BoRMinutes,June2009).Thecommitteeshallincludeatleastfourstudents,whoshallbeappointedbytheinstitutionsstudentgovernmentassociation.Institutionsandstudentgovernmentassociationsshouldmakeaconcertedefforttoincludebroadrepresentationamongthestudentsappointedtothecommittee(BoRMinutes,January2010).Mandatorystudentfeesshallbeusedexclusivelytosupporttheinstitutionsmissiontoenrichtheeducational,institutional,andculturalexperienceofstudents(BoRMinutes,January2010).Allpaymentsfromfundssupportedbystudentmandatoryfeesshallbemadeaccordingtoapprovedbusinessproceduresandtheappropriatebusinesspracticesoftheinstitution(BoRMinutes,19992000,p.364).
2.1.2InterpretationofBoRPolicyManual7.3.2.1Thispolicystatesthattheuniversitymaycollectmandatoryfeesfromstudentsenrolledat
theinstitutionandoutlinestheguidelinesunderwhichthesemaybecollected.Thispolicyclearlylaysouttheguidelinesforincreasingorchangingthepurposeofamandatoryfee.Thesefeesaretobeusedexclusivelytosupporttheinstitutionsmissionandtoenrichthestudentexperience.Shouldtheadministrationseektoincreaseorchangeamandatoryfeetheuniversitymustpresentthefeeforadviceandcounseltoacommitteethatiscomprisedof50%students.Thisadvicemustbetakenintoconsiderationbythepresidentwhenadministeringthefees.
Iffeesaretoberepurposedthentheinstitutionmustseektheadviceofamajoritystudentcommitteebeforeproceeding.SincetheWRASAlbum88engineeringforoperationofWRASFMbudgetisfundedthroughstudentfeesthatwerereallocatedfromterrestrial,studentrun
8
-
broadcastingeducationatGSUtoterrestrialbroadcastingfromanexternal,stateruncorporation(GPB),theAdministrationviolatedthisproceduregoverningreallocationofmandatorystudentfees.
2.2BoardofRegentsBusinessProceduresManual24.2BudgetingofFees
2.2.1VerbatimPolicy
InstitutionalbudgetingiscoveredinSection8oftheBusinessProceduresManual(BPM).BudgetingformandatoryandelectivestudentfeesisspecificallyaddressedinSection8.3oftheBPM.Formandatoryfees(excludingthespecialinstitutionalfee),anadvisorycommitteeasdescribedinBoRPolicy7.3.2.1shouldreviewtheannualbudgetandmakerecommendationstotheinstitutionpresidentregardingtheadoptionofthebudget.Itisrecommendedthatanysignificantmidyearamendmentsorchangestothebudgetthatareassociatedwithactivitiesnotincludedintheoriginalpurposeofthefeebesharedwiththeadvisorycommittee.Thefinancialinformationpresentedtotheadvisorycommittee(forboththeoriginalbudgetandanyamendments)shouldincludethebeginningfundbalanceamount(lesscommittedreserves)andprojectedcurrentyearrevenueanddisbursements.Whenreviewingbudgets,itisnottheadvisorycommitteesresponsibilitytodeterminethesalaryamountforanyposition,however,totalsalariesandthepositionsfundedshouldbedisclosedonthebudgetreportspresentedtotheadvisorycommittee.Itisacceptabletopresenttheseamountscombinedononelineforsalaryandbenefitswithadisclosureindicatingthepositions.Ingeneral,theBoardwillapprovethetotalbudgetatanoverallsummarylevelinaccordancewithstatebudgetarylawsandregulations.Studentfeesaregenerallyincludedinoneofthreerevenuecategories:othergeneral,auxiliary,orstudentactivities,dependingonthenatureofthefee.Thespecificexpenditures,(e.g.travel,salaries,training)includedintheapprovedbudgetarerecommendationstothePresidentwhohasdiscretioninspendingthefundsaslongastheexpendituresareusedfortheintendedpurposeofthefees.
9
-
2.2.2InterpretationThispolicyagainlaysouttherequirementforandtheroleofanadvisorycommitteethat
mustreviewandprovidecounseltothepresidentinmakingpolicydecisions.Thiscommittee,whichisformedinamannerconsistentwithBoRPolicyManual7.3.2.1,mustbegiventheopportunitytoreviewprojectedbudgetsanddisbursements.Thisistoensurethatstudentfundsarebeingissuedinamannerthatisconsistentwiththeintendedpurposeofthefunds.TheSAFCanditssubordinatecommitteesprovidethepresidentwithadviceonhowtoproperlyallocatethesefundsthepresidentthenhasdiscretioninhowthosefundsarespent,solongasthatuseisconsistentwiththeoriginalintendedpurposeofthosefees.ThusfeesallocatedfororganizationAcannotgotosupportfeesallocatedfororganizationB,unlessbothAandBareoverlappingentities.FundswereintendedforWRASAlbum88,buttheAgreementrepurposesthefundstosupportthedevelopmentofinterestsintheDepartmentofCommunications.TheAgreementprovidesfortimeonatelevisionchannelownedbyGPB,butthecontrolofthischannelisnotleftinthecontrolofWRASAlbum88.Therefore,thesefundshavenotbeenusedinaccordancewiththispolicy.
2.3BoardofRegentsBusinessProceduresManual24.3.1MandatoryStudentFees
2.3.1VerbatimPolicy
Studentactivityfees,Technologyfees,andtheSpecialInstitutionalFeearethethreebasicmandatoryfeeschargedbyallteachinginstitutions.TheBoRCentralOfficeandtheSkidawayInstituteofOceanographydonotchargestudentfees.Otherstudentservicerelatedmandatoryfeeschargedbymostinstitutionsincludehealthfees,athleticfeesandtransportationfees.Manyinstitutionsalsochargefacilityfeeswhichareusedtosupportrental/leasepaymentsonPublicPrivateVenture(PPV)projects.Intheeventthatanysuchfeeiselectiveratherthanmandatory,theprocessinSection24.2relatedtomandatoryfeesshallnotapply.InstitutionsshouldrefertoSection7.3.4.2oftheBoRPolicyManualforguidanceonwaiversofmandatoryfees.
StudentActivityFeesStudentactivityfeesarecollectedforthepurposeofsupportingprogramsandservicesaffectingallaspectsofstudentlife.Correspondingly,theexpenditureofthesefeesshouldbestudentcenteredwiththestudentsbeingtheprimaryparticipantsorbeneficiaries.
10
-
Aswithallinstitutionalfunds,USGpoliciesandproceduresmustbeconsideredwhenexpendituresaremadefromstudentactivityfunds.Budgetsallocatedtostudentorganizationsandexpendedundertheauthorityofthestudentgrouprepresentasharedresponsibilitybetweeninstitutionalofficers,therespectivestudentgroupandthestudentfeecommittee.Thus,itistheresponsibilityofthesegroupstoensurethatexpendituresmadeareanappropriateuseofstudentactivityfundsinlinewithapplicableUSGpoliciesandprocedures.Studentactivityfeerevenuesmaybeusedtosupportabroadspectrumofstudentrelatedservices,mostcommonlyintheareasofsocialandentertainmentactivities,intramuralsports,studentpublications,andstudentgovernmentassociations.WhileitisnottheintentofthissectiontoprovideanexhaustivelistofUSGrulesandregulationsforexpenditures,thefollowingguidanceisprovidedonexpendituresofstudentactivityfees.IfaspecificPublicPrivateVentureprojectisfundedwithastudentactivityfee,thosefeesshouldbedesignatedtosupportprojectcosts,suchasleasepaymentsandexpensesforprojectoperations.SeesectiononFacilityFeesbelow.AppropriateexpendituresofStudentActivityfeeswouldinclude:
HiringandpayingtravelforperformersMealsandtravelexpensesaresubjecttoperdiemandnonemployeetravelregulations(Section19.9).Ifallcostsofperforminggroup,includingtravelexpenses,areincludedaspartofalumpsumcontract,travelregulationswouldnotapply.
Consultantexpenses Prizes/awardsfromrafflesParticipationinrafflemustbeavailable
toallstudents.Raffles/lotteriesmaybelawfullyconductedwithoutalicenseifparticipantsareallowedtoenteratnocost.Fortheseevents,individualprizesmustbedeminimisinvalue(nottoexceed$100).Iflicensesareobtainedandraffleticketsaresold,giftsarelimitedtofundscollectedinraffle.
FoodandrefreshmentsforstudentgroupeventsAppropriateifeventisopentoallstudentswithinspecificidentifiablegroup.
PromotionalItemsAssociatedwithpromotionaleventsforstudents,suchasstudentrecruitment.AcceptableitemswouldbeTshirts,mugs,plaques,clickdrives,etc.Individualvalueshouldnotexceed$50.Cashawardsarestronglydiscouraged.Theinstitutionmaybesubjecttoadditionalprohibitionsonpromotionalitemsresultingfromathleticconferenceregulations.
PerformanceBasedAwardsConsideredacceptableifstudenthasprovidedsomeserviceand/orperformedsomefunctiontoreceive
11
-
award(e.g.,writingcontests,dancecontests,andvariousstudentskillscompetitions).Awardamountsmayvarybasedonvalueofservice/performance,nottoexceed$500.
StaffsalariesandbenefitsAppropriateifincludedinbudgetasreviewedbystudentfeeadvisorycommittee.
Employeetravel(includingstudentemployees)Appropriate,butsubjecttoStatetravelregulations(Section4).Forstudentemployees,theinstitutionwillhavetodetermineifstudentemployeetravelisrelatedtowhetherthestudentinquestionistravelingasastudentoranemployeetodeterminewhichsectionoftravelregulationsapply.
EventcostsAppropriatetostageevents(e.g.,decoratingeventarea,printingprograms,advertising).
Furniture,fixtures,equipment LeasepaymentsforPublicPrivateVenturesiffeewasassessedto
fundservicerentalpayments.SeesectiononFacilityfees. OtheroperatingcostsNormalsupply,maintenanceandutility
costs.StudentActivityfeesshouldnotbeexpendedonthefollowing:
DonationsExceptwhereproceedsoffundraisergodirectlyforthatpurpose.
ScholarshipsProhibitedunlessbasedonsomeperformancemeasureorservicerequirement.Performancemeasureswouldrequiresomeacademicorstudentactivityskilltobedisplayed(e.g.,athletics,music,literary,math,etc.).Simplybeinganenrolledstudentwouldnotqualifyasaperformancemeasure.
TipsUnlesscoveredbyStatetravelguidelinesorservicecontract. FacultysalariesandbenefitsStudentactivityfeesshouldnotbe
usedtodirectlyfundinstructionalcostsofcredithourcourses. IntercollegiateAthleticprogramcostsNormallythesecostsshould
bepaidfromAthleticfees.Possibleexceptionscouldbeforsupportgroups,suchasdanceteams,clubsportsorcheerleaders,ifincludedinthebudgetasreviewedbythestudentfeeadvisorycommittee.
Studentemployeerecognitionluncheons/mealsNotallowableifprovidedforanindividualoraspecificgroup.Studentemployeesmayreceivefoodifpartakinginaneventopentoallstudentsandstudentemployeesareatfunctionasastudent.Seebulletitem4underAllowableUses.
ProspectiveStudenttravelNotallowableunlesscertainconditionsaremetasoutlinedinSection19.9.
Alcoholicbeveragesoranyillegalsubstances.
12
-
Individualorclubmembershipsincivicorganizations Politicalcampaignsorevents
2.3.2InterpretationThispolicyclearlylaysouttheusageoffunds.Itindicatesthatthereisanexplicitshared
responsibilityforbudgetsthataredirectedforstudentorganizationsandthatthesefundsmustbeusedtothebenefitofthegroupforwhichtheyareintended.Additionallythispolicylaysouthowpublic/privateventuresaretobeenteredintowherestudentorganizationsareinvolvedandhowfundsgeneratedinthiswayaretobehandled.
ManyoftheitemsnecessarytoimplementtheAgreementdonotincludestudentsasprimarybeneficiaries.Examplesarepurchaseconstruction,maintenanceofastudiotieline,GPBairtimeontheWRASFMtransmitter,andcostsrelatedtothetimeofstationengineerMr.TomTaylorsroleintheimplementation.Useoffundsinthismannershowsalackofconsiderationorunderstandingandaclearviolationofthispolicy.
2.4CouncilonStudentCommunications(CSC)ByLawsSectionI,II,andV
2.4.1VerbatimPolicy
II.StudentMediaStudentmediainclude:GeorgiaStateTelevision(GSTV),NewSouth,TheSignal,andWRASAlbum88.
III.MembershipoftheCSCA.MembersoftheCSCareappointedbytheDirectoroftheStudentCenter.AppointmentsaremadeannuallyinMayforatermofoneyear.Membersmaybeappointedforunlimitedsuccessiveterms.
B.TheVicePresidentofStudentAffairsappointstheChairoftheCommittee,theDirectoroftheStudentCenter.TheChairisappointedatthesametimeannuallyastherestofthecommitteeandservesaoneyearterm.TheChairmaybereappointedforunlimitedsuccessiveterms.
13
-
C.ThemembershipoftheCSCiscomprisedof:thefollowingtwelvemembers:
1.ManagingDirector,GSTV2.EditorinChief,NewSouth3.EditorinChief,TheSignal4.GeneralManager,WRASAlbum885.FacultyMember,DepartmentofCommunication6.FacultyMember,atlarge7.GraduateStudent,DepartmentofCommunication8.UndergraduateStudent,DepartmentofCommunication9.Studentatlarge10.Studentatlarge11.AssistantDirectorforStudentMedia12.UnitSupervisorforMedia,DivisionofStudent Affairs
TheVicePresidentofStudentAffairs,aStaffmemberfromtheDepartmentofUniversityRelationsandtheAssociate/AssistantLegalAdvisorfromtheOfficeofLegalAffairsserveasstandingexofficiomembersasdeemednecessaryfromtheranksoffaculty,alumniorstudents.
V.Policies
A.Authority1.TheCSCisauthorizedbytheVicePresidentofStudentAffairstoreviewoperationsandadviseallcampusmedia.Inthatcapacity,theCommitteeasawholeorindividualcommitteemembersmaybecalledontoworkdirectlywithstudentmediaheadsregardingoperatingguidelinesforeachmediaorganization.2.TheCSCisauthorizedbytheVicePresidentofStudentAffairstoapproveandallocatebudgetsforeachmediaorganization.3.TheCSCendorsesandsupportstheauthorityofeachmediaheadtosetandenforceoperationalpolicies,editorialpoliciesandproceduresforthedisbursementofallocatedfundsforeachparticularmedia.organization.TheCSCreservestherighttoreviewandmakerecommendationsregardingsaidpolicies.
14
-
4.TheCSCfullysubscribestothetenetssetforthintheUSConstitutionandtheBillofRightswithregardtofreedomofspeechandfreedomofthepress.WhiletheCSCmaybeaforumforthediscussionofissuesrelatingtonewsandeditorialcontentofstudentmediaorganizations,theCommitteeneitherseekstorecommendoradvisemediaorganizationsregardingthecontentofpublishedorbroadcastmaterial.5.WRASAlbum88isadditionallygovernedbythelawsoftheFederalCommunicationsCommission.Asamatterofpolicy,theCSCupholdsFCCregulations.
B.AppointmentofMediaEditors,Directors,GeneralManagersandStaffTheCSCisauthorizedtoseekapplicantsforandrecommendtheappointmentoftheGeneralManager,WRASAlbum88bytheDeanofStudents.AllmembersoftheCSCmayparticipateintheinterviewingofapplicantsandselectionofacandidatetorecommendfortheposition.Forallothermediaorganizations,theCSCisauthorizedtoseekapplicantsforandtomakefinaldecisionsconcerningtheappointmentofMediaHeads.ForallmediagroupsexceptWRASAlbum88,onlyStudentmembersofCSCmayactivelyinterview,deliberateandvoteonwhatcandidatesshouldbeappointedasMediaHeads.UniversityStaffandFacultymembersofCSCmay,however,participateinpreinterviewactivitiessuchasformulatingstandardinterviewquestionsandprocedures.Asamatterofpolicy,theCSCmaygivepreferencetoapplicantstothesepositionswhohavepriorexperiencewiththestudentmediaorganizationthattheyseektomanage.Onceappointed,MediaHeadsselecttheirrespectivestaffmemberswithnoneedforapprovalfromtheCSC.Ifanincumbentisapplyingforaconsecutiveterminhis/herposition,thens/hemaynotbepresentduringtheinterviewsofhis/hercompetitorsnormays/hevoteontheappointmentoftheinvolvedMediaHeadposition.
C.SanctionofMediaEditors,Directors,GeneralManagersandStaffAllmediaeditors,generalmanagersandstaffarerequiredtocomplywiththelaws,rulesandregulationsoftheUnitedStates,
15
-
StateofGeorgia,theBoardofRegentsoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaandGeorgiaStateUniversity.Violationsofsaidlaws,rulesandregulationsareprohibitedandwillsubjecttheviolatortosanctionswhichmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,removalfromthepositionofmediaheadorstaffmember.SeeGeorgiaStateUniversityStudentCodeofConduct(http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/).
1.TheCSCisauthorizedbytheVicePresidentofStudentAffairstohearandresolvegrievancesanddisputesexceptfor:
GrievancesanddisputesconcerningsanctionsimposedinaccordancewithParagraphV.C.ortheappointmentoftheGeneralManagerofWRAS.AllmattersthataregovernedbytheStudentCodeofConduct(http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/).Allsuchgrievances,disputesorreferencesareimmediatelyreferredtotheofficeoftheDeanofStudents.AreasonableefforttoresolvethegrievanceordisputemustfirstbemadewiththeMediaHeadoftheinvolvedmediagroupandifthedisputeisnotresolvedatthatlevel,thewiththeadvisoroftherespectivemediaorganization.IfthereisnosatisfactoryresolutionofthegrievanceordisputewiththeMediaHeadortheadvisor,thenarequestmaybemadetotheChairpersonoftheCSCtoconveneahearingonthematter.Thisrequestmustbeinwriting,mustspecificallydescribethenatureofthegrievanceordispute,mustbesignedbytheindividualororganizationalrepresentativebringthegrievanceordispute,andmustbemadewithinthirty(30)daysoftheincidentoutofwhichthegrievanceordisputearises.AhearingbytheCSCisnotamatterofright,butitiswithinthesolediscretionoftheCSC.Thus,withoutgrantingahearing,theCSCmay,initsdiscretion,recommend
thatthedecisionofthemediaheadandadvisorbeupheld.IfahearingisheldbytheCSC,aquorumofallvotingCommitteemembers,bothstudentandfaculty/staffalike,mustbepresentofthoseCSCmemberseligibletoparticipateinthehearing.Followingthehearing,theCSC
16
-
willforwardarecommendationforfinaldeterminationonthematterbytheVicePresidentofStudentAffairs.TheVicePresidentofStudentAffairsshallnotbepresentnorvoteduringtheCSC'shearingorreviewofgrievancesanddisputes.2.AmemberoftheCSCwhoisamediaheadshallnotparticipateintheprocessregardingagrievanceordisputerelatedtohis/herrespectivemediaorganizationincluding,butnotlimited,tothedecisiontoholdahearingandvotingonanyrecommendations.However,themediaheadmay,asstatedabove,initiallyattempttoresolvethegrievanceordisputeinconjunctionwiththerespectiveMediaadvisor,maysubsequentlyattempttoresolvethegrievanceordisputeatthedirectionoftheCSC,andmayrespondtoCSCinquiresforinformationregardingtheallegedgrievanceordispute.3.TheCSCendorsestheroleofmediationasafirstefforttoresolvegrievancesanddisputesbetweenindividualsconcerningstudentmediarelatedmatters.
2.4.2InterpretationsSectionsIIandIIIdefinemembershipoftheCSC.Thisboardistheofficialinstitutional
bodythatoverseestheoperationandbudgetingofstudentmediaorganizationsaslaidoutinsectionV.WhiletheCSChasseveralotherroles,suchasconflictresolution,theoversightofbudgetandoperationarethetwomostimportantrolesandareveryclearlydefined.ThisgroupisresponsibleforreportingtotheSAFCitsfindingsconcerningthebudgetforvariousmediaorganizations.ThispolicywasviolatedinbypassingtheCSCsauthoritytooverseetheallocationandpurposeoffundsintendedfortheuseofstudentmediaorganizations,specificallyWRASAlbum88.
Thiscouncilisalsoresponsibleforoversightoftheoperationofeachoftheseorganizations.Whilethecouncilisresponsible,itdefersthedecisionmakingprocessandestablishmentofoperationalauthoritytotheseniormostmanagementpositionateachorganization,inthecaseofWRASAlbum88theGeneralManager.Thisperson,alongwiththeCSC,isresponsibleforensuringthatthestationisoperatedinawaythatisconsistentwithFCCpolicy.ThisgroupanditsadministrativepartnersareresponsibleforcreatingpolicythatensuresthestationremainsinFCCcompliance.InbypassingtheCSCsresponsibilitytoensureFCCcompliancetheadministrationhasleftthestation,theinstitution,andstudentmandatoryfeesvulnerabletoFCCfines.ThisalsoendangerstheabilityofGSUortheBoRtomaintainthelicenseingoodstandingwiththeFCC.
17
-
2.5StudentActivityFeeGuidelines(SAFG)Revised,2012SectionsII,andIV
2.5.1VerbatimPolicy
II.RESPONSIBILITIESOFTHESTUDENTACTIVITYFEECOMMITTEEThechargeoftheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeisasfollows:
TomakerecommendationstotheDeanofStudentsregardingtheallocationofstudentactivityfeefundsfairlytoalleligiblecharteredstudentorganizations,andsupportofficesthatcreate,enhanceandpromotestudentlifeatGeorgiaStateUniversity.
Develop,implementandenforcepoliciesthatensurecompliancewithapplicableuniversity,BoardofRegents,stateandfederallaws.
Toreviewstipendsforstudentleadersatleasteverythreeyearsandmakerecommendationsregardingthepayscaleinforceatthattime.
AsdirectedbytheDeanofStudents,reviewandmakerecommendationstotheDeanofStudentsregardingallegationsoffeemisappropriationbyvariousgroupsreceivingSAfundsmakerecommendationstotheVicePresidentforStudentAffairs(withDeanofStudentsoversight)forfairdisciplinaryactionsofthosegroupsviolatingSAFeepoliciesaswrittenintheSAFeeGuide.
MakerecommendationstotheDeanofStudentsregardingproposalsto:1)increasethestudentactivityfeeor,2)makeasubstantivechangeinpurposeoftheStudentActivityFee.(BoardofRegentsPolicyManualSection7.3.2.1.MandatoryStudentFees).TheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeisresponsibleforholdingatleasttwocampuswideopenhearingsontheproposedfeeincreaseinordertoaccumulatestudentfeedback.Uponcompletionofthehearings,theStudentActivityFeeCommitteeshallmakeaformalrecommendationtotheStudentMandatoryFeeCommittee,whowillreviewtherequestandforwardtotheFiscalAdvisoryCommitteetothePresident(FACP).Uponreview,FACPwillforwardtheirrecommendationtothepresidentforfinalaction.
18
-
AdministersthegeneralContingencyaccountthroughtheDeanofStudentsOffice.
IV.ALLOCATIONPROCESS&FUNDINGCRITERIAOFTHESTUDENTACTIVITYFEECOMMITTEEFEEALLOCATIONPROCESS&FEECOUNCIL/COLLEGERESPONSIBILITIES**TheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeallocateslumpsumstofeecouncilsandcolleges.TheFeeCouncils,whichincludeArts,Diversity,Media,SGA,StudentBarAssociation,InternationalStudentAssociationCouncil(ISAC),AcademicTeamCouncil,HonorsCollege,UniversityWide,andSustainabilityInitiativesFeeCouncil,musthaveastudentmajoritymembership.TheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeshallserveastheUniversityWideFeeCouncilandtheSustainabilityInitiativesFeeCouncil.FeecouncilsreporttotheStudentActivityFeeCommittee.**CollegesreceivelumpsumallocationsbasedonpercentageofenrollmentofmajorsintheprecedingFallsemester.EachcollegereceivingfundsshallhaveastudentmajoritycommitteeequivalenttotheFeeCouncilstoallocatetheirfunds.**TheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeprovidessomegeneralproceduralandphilosophicalguidelinestotheFeeCouncilsandcolleges,howevertheFeeCouncilsandcollegeswillhavewidelatitudeintheirallocationdecisionmaking.ItisexpectedthatthesefeecouncilswillholdbudgetaryhearingsduringSpringSemester.**TheFeeCouncilsandcollegesshallattendajointtrainingsessionwiththeStudentActivityFeeCommitteepriortotheannualbudgethearingprocess.FeeCouncilsandcollegeswillbebriefedonStudentActivityFeeCommitteeregulationsanduniversityaccountingmeasures.Eachcouncilwillberequiredtodevelopagoalstatementandestablishmeetingprotocols.FeecouncilsaretosubmitcopiesofanyallocationdeterminationstotheStudentActivityFeeCommitteewithinoneweekoftheirpreviousmeeting.**FeeCouncilsandcollegesmustnotifytherequestorsoftheirallocationswithinoneweekofmakingtheirdecisions.Organizationsmayappealfeecouncilorcollegedecisionsregardingallocationamountstothe
19
-
allocatingfeecouncilorcollegewithinoneweekofnotificationoftheallocationordenial.**OrganizationsmayappealFeeCouncildecisionstotheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeonlyafteraninitialappealtothefeecouncil.AppealstotheStudentActivityFeeCommitteemustdealonlywithpolicyandprocedureissues,notallocationamounts.AppealstotheStudentActivityFeeCommitteemustbesubmittedpriortothefinalannualmeetingoftheCommittee.**FeecouncilsandcollegesshallpresenttheirannualbudgetallocationproposalstotheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeonadatedeterminedbytheCommittee.TheStudentActivityFeeCommitteewillapprovetheannualbudgetallocationsofeachfeecouncilpriortoMay1eachyear. ALLOCATIONFUNDINGCRITERIA**Certainessentialservicesandsalary/benefitobligationsmustbemetfirst.Otherprograms/serviceswhicharedesignedtobeutilizedbyallwillbegivenfirstconsideration.TheDeanofStudentsshallmakeanannualpresentationtotheStudentActivityFeeCommitteeregardingtheEssentialServicesportionofthebudget.**Secondpriorityinfundingisgiventoprogramsthataredesignedforallstudents.**Thirdpriorityisgiventoprogramsofspecialinterestgroups.**Then,innonpriorityorder,budgetrequestswillbereviewedbasedonthefollowingcriteria:
Pastperformanceandbudgetmanagementoftheorganizationsrequestingfunds.
Programsorserviceswithbroadappealtovariousconstituents. Programsandservicesthatservethegreatestnumberofstudents. Programsandservicesthatcrossorganizationsandencourage
cosponsorshipandsharedresponsibilities. Programsandservicesthatsupportthedevelopmentofcommunity
oncampusandmaximizetherichlegacyofculturaldiversityoftheinstitution.
Programsandservicesthatcomplementtheacademicmissionoftheinstitution.
20
-
**TheStudentActivityFeeCommitteemustwithholdaminimumof5%ofthetotalbudgetforcontingency,anddecidewhattodowiththatmoney.
2.5.2InterpretationThispolicydefinesthemakeupandroleoftheSAFCandthegroupsthatrepresentfee
councils.TheroleofthemediafeecouncilisfulfilledbytheCSC,whosebylawscanbefoundin2.4.ThegoverningdocumentfortheSAFCisveryexplicitabouttheroleoftheSAFCanditsfeecouncils.ThisroleistoprovideadvicetotheDeanofStudentsandtheAdministrationoniftheappropriation,repurposinganduseoffeesisconsistentwithuniversitypolicy.Onesuchpolicyisensuringthat,duringtheprocessofallottingfunds,thatfundsaredistributedinamannerthatisconsistentwiththeoutlinedlistofpriorities.TerrestrialbroadcastonWRASFM,beingopentoallstudentsthroughWRASAlbum88,thereforeclassifiesasasecondpriorityundertheallocationfundingcriteria.TheAgreementrepresentsalowerfundingprioritythanstudentterrestrialbroadcastonWRASFM.
21
-
3. OversightandManagementofStudentFeesExpendedinSupportofTheAgreement3.1. FeesExpendedinSupportofTheAgreement
3.1.1. Transmitter3.1.2. TieLineCosts3.1.3. EmployeeTime
3.2. FeesareBeingUsedinthe2014/2015AcademicYearinSupportofGPBandTheAgreement
3.3. FeesIntendedFortheSoleBenefitofWRASAlbum88areBeingUsedtoSupportTheGPBRadioAgreementandtheDevelopmentofaDepartmentofCommunicationsTelevisionProject
3.1FeesExpendedInSupportofTheAgreementTherearemanyinstancesinwhichtheadministrationchosetoexpendstudentactivityfees
insupportofimplementingTheAgreement.TheserangefrompayingGSUpersonnelfortimedirectlyrelatedtosupportingGPBsbroadcastonWRASFMtothepurchaseandinstallationofnewequipment.Whilesomecosts,suchaspowerforequipment,equipmentpurchases,andthestationengineerssalary,aredesignatedasEssentialServicesforWRASAlbum88,thisfundwasstillapprovedbytheSAFCandthefundingforessentialservicesisdrawnfromstudentsfunds.Becauseofthisfact,regardlessofiftheseexpensescountasapartoftheessentialservicesbudget,itiswithinthepurviewoftheSAFCandMFCtooverseeandmanagethisbudgetandprovidecounselthatthesefundsarebeingexpendedinaccordancewithBoRandUniversitypolicy.Ifthepurposeofthesefundsistoberedirectedinpartorinwholetowardssupportofadifferentgroup(inthiscaseGPB)thetheAdministrationmustseekproperoversightofthesefundsandindoingsocompletelydisclosewhotheseexpenditureswillsupportsothatproperrecommendationmaybemadebytheoversightcommittees.
ThissectionfocusononlythreeinstancesofexpendituresthatwereintendedforWRASAlbum88,astudentorganization,thatwerethenredirectedtosupportofGPB.ThesearethepurchaseofanewandmoremoderntransmitterforWRASFM,engineeringpurchases(includingthepurchaseandinstallationofatielineanddigitallinebetweenstudios),andemployeetime.
3.1.1Transmitter 7
InApril2013,TheAdministrationrepresentativesDr.DouglasCovey,vicepresidentofstudentaffairs,andMr.JeffWalker,WRASAlbum88facultyadvisor,approachedtheSAFCtorequestfundstopurchaseanewtransmittertocarrytheWRASFMterrestrialsignal .When8
7SAFC12April2013SAFCMeetingMinutespages1,56http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/files/2013/03/SAFCMinutes41213.pdf8SAFC12April2013SAFCMeetingMinutespages1,56http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/files/2013/03/SAFCMinutes41213.pdf
22
-
approachingtheSAFCwiththisrequestDr.CoveyandMr.Walkerpointedtoseveralreasonsforthepurchaserequest.(1)Thecurrenttransmitterwasinstalledin1985andneededtobereplacedduetoage,(2)increasedsignalstrengthwouldincreaseaccessbystudentsoncampusaswellasincreaseavailabilityinsidebuildings,suchastheGeorgiaDomeandtheGSUArenawhereGSUfootballandbasketballgamesarerespectivelyheld,(3)improvedmarketpenetrationintonorthernGAservingtoincreasetheexposureoftheuniversityandwouldasaresulthavepromotedstudentrecruitment,(4)protecttheterrestrialWRASFMsignalagainstotherstationsencroachingonitsbandwidth.
WhenmakingthisrequesttotheSAFCtheAdministrationrepresentativesfailedtodivulgethattheAdministrationwaswellintonegotiationswithGPBovertheuseoftheterrestrialWRASFMsignal.GSUandGPBhadanexecutabledraftofthecontractasearlyasAugust2013andafirstdraftofthiscontractthatcontainsmuchofwhatwouldbethefinallanguagewasavailablepriortotheApril2013request .ItwasdiscoveredthroughOpenRecordsRequeststhatin9
January2013,seniorGSUadministrators andGPBrepresentatives hadalreadybegandiscussion10 11
aboutthefundingandoperationofanewWRASFMtransmitter.GiventhisinformationitisreasonabletoassumethatGSUandGPBhadfullintentiontoenterintothiscontractandindoingsoGPBwouldbecometheprimarybeneficiaryofthisnewtransmitterpurchase.TheAdministrationrepresentativeshadaresponsibilitytodisclosethatthistransmitterpurchase,whichwasestimatedtototal$676,000 ,wouldnotgotosolelysupportingstudentorganizations.Itisalso12
worthnotingthatthepurchaseofthenewtransmitterwouldprovidetheuniversitywithHDradiocapabilitywasacapabilitycrucialtoexecutionoftheagreement,afactthatwasnotdivulgedtotheSAFCandlikelyplayedaroleinthetimingoftherequesttopurchasethenewtransmitter.TheAdministrationhadfullintentionatthistimeofallowingGPBon14hoursofdaytimeterrestrialanalogWRASFMbroadcasttimewhichencroachesonpoints(2),(3)and(4)asgivenbyTheAdministration.ThereforewhentheSAFCwastaskedbytheAdministrationwithapprovingtherequestitcouldnotmakeaninformeddecisionontheimpactTheAgreementwouldhaveonstudents,studentorganizations,ortheUniversityandifthisrequestfellwithinthepolicieslaidoutbytheUniversityandtheBoR.TheAdministrationfailedtoprovidecompleteinformationthatwouldhaveallowedtheSAFCtomakeaninformeddecisionandindoingsorendersthedecisionvoid.
3.1.2EngineeringPurchasesEngineeringpurchasesmadebyGSUfortheimplementationofTheAgreementincluded
constructionofahighspeedconnectionbetweenWRASAlbum88andGPBstudios.ThisconnectiononlyservestocarrydataforbroadcastfromtheGPBstudiototheGSUbasedstudiowheretheremotecontrolandotherbroadcasthardwarefortheWRASFMtransmitterislocated.A
9AddendumIitem6:KerryHeywarddeliveringdraftcontractfromGPB,January201310AddendumIitem2:EMailfromMr.JeffWalkertoDr.DouglasCoveyonconcernsabouttheagreementandonfundingtheWRASFMtransmitterpurchaseforGPB11AddendumIitem1:EmailexchangebetweenMarkBecker,PresidentofGSUandTeyaRyan,CEOofGPBdiscussbondingtofundWRASFMtransmitterpurchase12SAFC12April2013SAFCMeetingMinutespages1,56http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/files/2013/03/SAFCMinutes41213.pdf
23
-
substantialpartofthisandauxiliaryengineeringpurchaseswerepaidforbyGSU.Itisunknownwherethesefundswereallocatedfrom,thoughitiswellwithinreasontoexpectthatthesewereeitherspentfrom(1)theWRASFMengineeringbudget,(2)theWRASFMessentialservicesbudget,or(3)theIS&Tbudget .13
3.1.3EmployeeTimeDuringtheengineeringimplementationover20132014,TomTaylor,stationengineer,had
tobeinvolvedintheprocessofconnectingthestudiosalongwithothertasks.Mr.TaylorstimeispaidforasanessentialservicefortheoperationofWRASFM.EssentialservicespaidforwithstudentactivityfeesareoverseenbytheSAFC.SpendingMr.Taylorstimeinthiswayrepresentsaredirectionofstudentfundstowardsanonstudententity(GPB)andneithercommitteeresponsibleforoverseeingstudentfundswasinformedoftheexistenceofTheAgreementorhowtherequirementsofitsimplementationwouldaffecttheexpenditureofstudentfees.
3.2FeesareBeingUsedinthe2014/2015AcademicYearinSupportofGPBandTheAgreement
Ashasbeenshowninsection3.1,GSUhasexpendedstudentfeesinsupportofTheAgreementandGPB.Theseexpendituresdonotsolelybenefitthestudentbodyorthestudentorganization.Inonecase,thetieline,thefeeswereexpendedsolelyforthebenefitofGPBandstudentswillnotinanywaymakeuseofthispieceoftechnology.Additionally,fundscontinuetobespentinanunregulatedwayinthe2014/2015academicyear.
StudentstaffatWRASAlbum88,whoreceiveastipendpaidfromWRASAlbum88soperationalbudget,havebeenaskedtocreatecontentforairingonGPB.TherearemanymoreexamplesofstudentfundsbeingredirectedawayfromWRASAlbum88,theintendedrecipient,andexpendedonbehalfofGPB,suchascontinuingtopayforoperationofthetieline.AlloftheseexpensescontinuetobecommittedtotheAgreement,yetdonotsolelybenefitthestudentsofWRASAlbum88.
SinceTheAgreementhasbeenimplemented,therehasbeenacontinuedabsenceofstudentrepresentationandapprovalinthemannerinwhichfundsarebeingspentinsupportofGPB.Thefeespaidbystudentsaremandatory,andfailuretoseektheopinionofstudentrepresentationrepresentsafailureofgovernanceofthesefunds.HadtheMFCandSAFCtimetoreviewcompleteinformationaboutTheAgreementandprovideadvicebacktotheadministrationasisrequiredbythe2012SAFCGuidelines ,thentheseissuesmayhavebeenidentifiedpriortoimplementationof14
TheAgreement.TheadministrationhasaresponsibilitytosharetheoversightwiththeSAFCandMFC 15
whichshouldincludedisclosingallintentionsofenteringintopublic/privatepartnerships.Infact,
13GSUTechFeeGuidelines.TheIS&DbudgetisaGSUtechnologyfeesubjecttotheseguidelines.http://solutions.technology.gsu.edu/studenttechnologyfee/guidelines/142012SAFCGuidelinessectionIIbullet415BoRBusinessandProceduresManual24.3.1StudentActivityFeesparagraph1
24
-
Dr.DouglasCovey,vicepresidentofstudentaffairs,statedon25October2014inapublicmeetingbetweenGPBandWRASAlbum88,thatstudentswerenotinformedbecausetheuniversitydoesnotmakeapracticeofdiscussingdealsuntiltheyareasurethingandthat[TheAgreement]wasnotasurethinguntilMay[2014].ThefactthattheuniversityembarkedonspendinglargequantitiesofstudentfundsonsecuringanewtransmitterforGPBbroadcastuse,engineeringpurchases,andthetimeofMr.TaylorpointtoclearintentionthatTheAgreementwasinfactasurethingwithfullexpectationonbothsidestoexecutethecontractpriortoMay2014.SinceafirstdraftcontractisavailableasearlyasJanuary2013 andanexecutableformasearlyasAugust16
2013,thisinformationshouldhavebeensharedwiththeSAFC,theMFCanditsstudentrepresentativespriortotheexpenditureofanyfundsinsupportofimplementationofTheAgreement.ThisiscriticalsincetheBoRrequiresthattheexpenditureofthesefeesshouldbestudentcenteredwiththestudentsbeingtheprimaryparticipantsorbeneficiaries. Sinceinatleast17
thespecificcaseofengineeringpurchasesrelatedtothestudiotieline,studentsarenottheprimaryparticipantsorbeneficiaries,thisexpendituredirectlysupportsGPBandthestudentsofWRASAlbum88gainnobenefitfromthisitem.ThisviolatesBoRBusinessandProceduresManualPolicy24.3.1.UptothetimewhenTheAgreementwasimplemented,allexpendituresfromtheWRASFMessentialservicesandotherfundssuppliedfortheuseofWRASFMhaveservedthestudentsofWRASAlbum88.SincetheonlypurposeofthistielineistocarrythebroadcastfromGPBtoGSUforbroadcast,thisrepresentsaclearviolationofsection24.3.1andthatthisinvalidatesanyallocationofthesefunds.
3.3FeesIntendedFortheSoleBenefitofWRASAlbum88AreBeingUsedtoSupportTheGPBRadioAgreementandtheDevelopmentofaDepartmentofCommunicationsTelevisionProject.
Oneimpliedstipulationoffundsaswasmentionedinsection2.2.2isthatfundsallocatedforonestudentorganizationmustbespentinsupportofthatorganizationandnotanother.TheAgreement,byproxy,createsaccesstoatelevisionstationundertheIntergovernmentalTelevisionAgreementwhichisbeingtakenadvantageofbytheGSUDepartmentofCommunications.ThetelevisionagreementcallsforGSUtoprovideandair12hoursofcontentperday7daysaweekbetweenthehoursof6:00p.m.to6:00a.m.daily.TheplanistoprovidecontentthroughthecreationofanewprogramintheDepartmentofCommunications.ThiswouldbeanewinitiativeseparatefromWRASAlbum88/WRASFM.
WhiletheTelevisionandRadioagreementsmaybetwoseparatecontracts,GPBswillingnesstoprovideaccesstoeducationalexperiencesandservicesrelatedtoTVisperceivedascontingentupontheradiocontract.Shouldthetelevisionagreementbecanceledforanyreason,GSUwouldhavenoreasontocontinuetheradioagreementastheywouldbeextractingnofurthervaluefromturningoveroperationsofWRASFMtoanoutsideentity.ThereforeitisunderstoodthatfundsspentonWRASFMarenolongergoingtosolelytosupportWRASAlbum88as
16AddendumIitem6:KerryHeywarddeliveringdraftcontractfromGPB,January201317BoRBusinessandProceduresManual24.3.1StudentActivityFeesparagraph1
25
-
intendedforstudentterrestrialbroadcasting.Instead,fundsspenttowardsWRASAlbum88,whichwasnotconsultedaboutfeerepurposingforTheAgreement,arenowbeingexchangedtoindirectlysupporttheDepartmentofCommunications,whosetelevisioninitiativeisnotoverseenbytheMFCandisinnowayaccountabletoWRASAlbum88.ItisnowthecasethatfundsallocatedtoWRASAlbum88arebeingusedtosupportadifferentorganization.
26
-
4. OutcomesofPolicyViolations4.1. DeclineinListenership
4.1.1. FMratingsdeclineandshiftinlisteningdemographics4.1.2. Lossofaccessstudentsportsprogramming4.1.3. Lossofinstitutionalrecruitingtool
4.2. DeclineinStationInfluence4.2.1. DeclineinnetworkingopportunitiesforWRASAlbum88students4.2.2. Lossofjobrecruitmentandplacementtool
4.3. DeclineinStationMoraleandStudentParticipation4.3.1. Lossofstudentengagement4.3.2. Reducedoncampusawareness
4.1DeclineinListenership
4.1.1FMratingsDeclineSinceTheAgreementwasimplementedWRASFMhasseenadeclineinlistenershipboth
numericallyandinshareascanbeseeninthemonthtomonthratingsnumbers.GPBsnewprogramminghasplateauedinrecentmonthsatalevellowerthanterrestrialstudentoperationandshowsnosignsofrecovering .ThestudentsofWRASAlbum88whooperateWRASFMhave18
shownanabilitytomaintainandgrowadevotedlistenership.TheCollegeMediaJournal(CMJ)listedWRASAlbum88asatoptier,tier6,stationupuntilTheAgreementwentintoeffect.Thesestationsareratedbyinfluence,whichisheavilyinformedbylistenershipandterrestrialreach.ThisputWRASAlbum88inauniqueplaceamongcollegestations.SinceGPBtooktheairwavesinJune2014thisrankinghasdroppedfromtier6totier3,indicatingamajorreductioninbothlistenershipandreach.
ThematerialbeingbroadcastbyGPBhaslittlerelevancetoGSUstudentsasdatacollectedinJuly2014shows.Thisdatashowsanunprecedenteddemographicshiftawayfromthetraditionalagerangesofcollegestudents(1834)towardsanolderdemographic .InJuly2014afterThe19
Agreementwentintoeffect,audiencelistenershipfor4554yearoldsskyrocketedto66.3%,whilebetweenFebruary2014throughJune2014itaveragedbetween1025%.Additionally,listenershipdroppedamongthefiveseparategroupsthatmostrepresentcollegeandorprospectivecollegestudents,agesbetween644.TheweeklycumulativelistenershipalsodroppedinJulyto47,100,versusanaverageof67,800andhascontinuedtostrugglesince.
TheGSUstudentbodygainslittlebenefitfortuninginduringthedaytimehours,hoursthatstudentsaretraditionallyoncampus,anylonger.WhenstudentoperatedWRASAlbum88,providesinformationaboutstudentorganizations,sports,campusservices,andupcomingeventsforstudentsGPBcarriesnoneofthisinformationduringtheirbroadcasthours.BecauseGPBscontentprimarilyserversanolderdemographic,isnotrelevanttoGSUstudents,andiseasilyfound
18AddendumIitem4:ArbitronratingsJanuary201519AddendumIitem3:IndepthWRASNielsenratingsJuly2014
27
-
elsewhere,WRASFMoperationunderGPBdoesnotuniquelyservetheuniversityorthestudentpopulation.
4.1.2LossofstudentaccesstostudentsportsprogrammingUpuntiltheimplementationofTheAgreementWRASAlbum88allowedtheathletics
departmentofGSUaccesstoitsstudioandsignaltobroadcastGSUsportingeventsincludingbaseball,mensandwomensbasketball,andinrecentyears,GSUsfootballgames.InthetermsofTheAgreementGPBwillonlyallowasmallnumberofhomefootballgamestobeairedonWRASFMandisairingnoothersportsontheterrestrialWRASFMsignal.ThismeansthatthemensandwomensbasketballteamsalongwiththemensbaseballteamarenolongerprovidedaccesstotheWRASFMterrestrialsignaltoairtheirgamesandreachtheirstudentandalumnifans.ThisremovestheabilityforstudentsinterestedinfollowingthosesportsfrombeingabletofollowthemwithoutaccesstoburdensomelyexpensiveHDradiohardware.TheSAFCwasnotprovidedwithinformationconcerningthedramaticlossinaccesstosportsprogramming,shouldTheAgreementhavecomeintoeffect,duetomarginallevelofmarketpenetrationofHDradiocapabledevices.ThishasdramaticallyreducedthevalueofGSUssportingdepartmentsandharmstheabilityoftheUniversitytocontinuetogrowthenewlycreatedfootballteam.TheAdministrationhadcitedincreasedaccesstoandavailabilityofsportsprogrammingasreasoningforthepurchaseofthenewtransmitter,asdiscussedin3.1.1,withfullknowledgethatTheAgreementwoulddramaticallyreduceaccessforstudents,theirfamily,friendsandGSUfanstointeractwiththeschoolanditssportsteams.
4.1.3LossofinstitutionalrecruitingtoolThedeclineinlistenershipespeciallyaffectsagegroupscriticaltocollegerecruitment.As
wasshownin4.1.1listenershipinagebracketsmostlikelytocontaincollegestudentsisnowseverelyunderrepresented.Beyondthisdeclineinlocallistenership,thedeclineinoverallrelevanceinthecollegeradiomarketdiminishesthedrawofGSUtostudentsthroughoutthecountryandtheworldinterestedinparticipatingincollegeradio.WRASAlbum88hasbroughtstudentsofdiversemajorsfromandbackgroundstoGSUtobecomeapartofthemostwidelybroadcastandinfluentialstudentoperatedstationintheUnitedStates.UnliketheGPBtelevisionagreement,whichservesonlyaspecificsubsetofstudentsinthecommunicationdepartment,participationinWRASAlbum88isopentoanystudentwhoattendstrainingandlegalsessions.
4.2DeclineinStationInfluence
4.2.1DeclineinnetworkingopportunitiesforWRASAlbum88studentsTheinfluentialstatusofthestationasaCMJtier6stationbroughttheattentionof
promoters,musicians,localvenues,companiesandrecordlabelsfromaroundtheworld.The
28
-
accesstotheseorganizationsgavestudentswhotookpartinWRASAlbum88awiderangeofaccesstoopportunitiesthatwouldnotbetraditionallyavailabletootherstudents.
Thelossoftheinfluentialtier6statushasmeantanalmostimmediatedeclineininterestfrommanymusicorientedbusinessesinworkingwithstudents.Therelationships,fosteredovera44yearhistory,arediminishing,asreportedbystudentrepresentativeswhoattendedCMJinNewYorkandthemusicdepartment,whichrepresentsthestationtothemediaandpubliconatleastaweeklybasis.ThestudentsatWRASAlbum88nowareseeingareductioninopportunitiesavailabletothem.
WhileGPBandGSUhavepromisedincreasedinternshipopportunitiesforstudents,itwasclearatameetingon25October2014,afull4monthsafterGPBcameonair,thatGPBhadnoplansinplaceforcreatingtheseinternshipsandwasunabletodefinethenatureofanyinternshipsthatwouldbecreated.Duringthesamemeeting,GPBdidnotprovideanyindicationthattheyhadanyintentionofcreatingsaidpositions,orhadbeguntheworkofevaluatingwhatinternshipswouldbeavailabletostudents.InsteadseniorGPBrepresentativesplacedtheonusofdefiningandcreatingtheseinternshipsonthestudentrepresentationofWRASAlbum88.Additionally,ashasbeenstatedbystudents,theopportunitiesavailableatGPBdonotparallelthoseavailablethroughWRASAlbum88anddonotgeneratethesamelevelofstudentinterest.
ThereductioninreachsinceGPBbeganbroadcastinginMay2014,especiallyreachandlistenershipespeciallytoagebracketstraditionallycontainingcollegestudents,hasresultedinthelossofaculturalinstitutionfortheUniversity,theonandoffcampusstudentpopulations,andalumnicommunitythroughoutAtlanta.AllofthishasleadtothelossofamajoroutreachplatformforstudentmusicianstoreachawideraudiencealongwithareducedabilityforGSUtointerfacewiththerestofGeorgiaandtherestoftheworld.
4.2.2LossofjobrecruitmentandplacementtoolThedecisiontoenterintoandimplementthisagreementwithoutstudentinputhasmeant
thelossofapowerfultoolforstudentnetworkingandpostgraduationjobplacement.WRASAlbum88hasalongtraditionofitsstudentsmovingontocompanieslikeTurnerBroadcastingorNationalPublicRadio.Itcouldtakeyears,orevendecadestorebuildWRASAlbum88svisibilityandrecreatethetypesofpracticalstudentexperiencesthattheoperationofaninfluentialterrestrialradiovoiceprovides.Thesetypesofexperiencesarehighlyvaluedamongmediaentities,distinguishingforWRASAlbum88staff,andarethegatewaytomanymediaorientedopportunitiesforstudents.
RecentalumniwhobenefittedfromtheterrestrialsignalincludeFrayDeVore,Album88MusicDirectorfrom20112013,whowasnoticedontheradioaftermentioninghisartexperienceatGSUduringhisfinalgraduationshift.FraywasofferedafulltimepositionbyalistenerasagraphicdesignerforSafeSystems,Inc.inAlpharetta.MattMaher,aDJandspecialtyshowhostatthestationsince2009,wasnoticedforhisdistinctvoice,humor,andpresentationbyaCartoonNetworkemployeeduringafternoondrivetime.Sincethen,Matthasgoneontovoiceseveralcommercialsonthechannel.NewsdirectorsJohnAsanteandBeckyParisgraduatedfromWRASAlbum88in2009and2010,respectively,andhavegoneontohavesuccessfulcareersat
29
-
NPR.ManyotherstudentshavemovedonfromWRASAlbum88topositionsatnationalandlocalmediaorganizations.
4.3DeclineinStationMorale
4.3.1LossofstudentengagementTheAgreementhascausedalargedropinmoraleandtheengagementofstudents
continuingtoworkatWRASAlbum88.Thelargelossincallerfeedbackandcommunitysupportcausedbythesharpdeclineinlistenershiptothestationhascausedfewerstudentstobewillingtoparticipate.Onegroupofstudentsthathasbeenhitparticularlyhardbythischangeisthestudentsthatoperatethestationsmusicdepartment.FrequentlythesestudentsputinlonghourscuratingthestationsRegularRotationcontent(whichconsistedofthemajorityofthestationssoundandisnowrelegatedtoalimitednumberofovernighthoursand78pmonweekdays).Thisprocessisdrivenbycallerfeedbackandthestudentsthatperformfillthemusicdirectorrolesarehavingmoreandmoredifficultyreachingmeaningfulnumbersofcallers.Whilethestationrecentlyreached76,300listenerspriortotheagreement ,thestreamstudentsaredelegatedtoduringthedaylimits20
themto250concurrentlisteners.Thishassignificantlylimitedtheinputthatthemusicdepartmentreliesfrom.
TheinvestmentbytheSAFCandMFCinthecontinuedoperationofWRASAlbum88istocreateanplacethatstudentscancreateacommunitywhileparticipatinginanactiveandoperatingexperimentalmedialab.Thedeclineinlistenershipandthesubsequentdeclineinstudentengagementmeansthatcontinuedinvestmenthasreducedimpact.
4.3.2ReducedcampusawarenessWRASAlbum88servesmanystudentsbothonandoffofcampusinprovidinginformation
aboutstudentorganizations,eventsoncampus,andsports.TheAgreement,byremovingWRASAlbum88sdaytimehoursontheterrestrialWRASFMsignal,haslargelystrippedthisserviceawayfromthestudents.ThishashadtheeffectofreducingthenumberthenumberofstudentsthatcompletetheWRASAlbum88applicationprocess.Additionally,manystudentsaroundcampushavesimplyassumedthatthedealhasmeantthatWRASAlbum88isnolongerpresentoncampusandwasshutdown.Althoughthatisnotthecase,itcontinuestodeterpotentialstudentinvolvement.
TheAgreementhasseverelyimpactedthestationsabilityandmissiontoservethecampuscommunityasitnolongerhasareliableaccessibleinterface(terrestrialFMbroadcast)withthestudentbody.Furthermore,GPBsbroadcastsonWRASFMactivelyadvertiseunderwritingfromcompetinguniversities,whichdiminishesthefactthatthestationisaffiliatedwithGSUandleadstothestudentassumptionthatWRASFMisnolongerstudentoperatedatanytime.TheAdministrationsargumentthatonlineradioisasuitablereplacementshowsalackofunderstanding
20AddendumIitem5:ArbitronratingsSeptember2014
30
-
ofmediamarkets,asFMmarketsarelocalandconsistofabout4050competingstations,whilemillionsofcompetitorscanexistamonginternetradiostations.
HadTheAdministrationapproachedeithertheCSCorthestudentmanagementofWRASAlbum88,itcouldhavebeeninformedoftheseoutcomesandtakenactionstopreventthem.RatherthanseektheadviceandcounselofstudentsasisrequiredbyBoRandinstitutionalpolicy,TheAdministrationinsteadchosetoactunilaterallyandignorestudentinputonthistopic.Indoingso,TheAdministrationhascausedsignificantdamagetotheuniqueeducationalmissionanddaytodayoperationofWRASAlbum88,whichGSUstudentshaveproudlyoperatedfor44years.
31
-
5. RequestforRedress5.1. GroundsforRedress5.2. TermsofRedress
5.1GroundsforRedressThemultiplecitedandwelldocumentedviolations,describedinsections1through3,and
thedamages,citedinsection4,causedbytheseviolationsofpolicyrepresentsignificantinstitutionalmismanagementoftheUniversityanditsassetsbyGSUadministrators.TheactionstakenbyTheAdministrationofGSUhaveharmedanddevaluedGSUstudentorganizationsandsportsteams.ContinuedoperationofTheAgreementperpetuatesaregulatoryliabilityonstudentmandatoryfeescollectedinthefutureshouldGPB,anonstudententitynotsubjecttoanystudentoversight,incuranyFCCregulatoryfines.ItisforthesereasonsthatwethethestudentstaffandmanagementofWRASAlbum88requestthattheGeorgiaBoardofRegentsascustodianoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaprovideimmediateredressasoutlinedinthissection.
5.2TermsofRedressTheappealingpartyisseekingredressinthefollowingways:
1. DuetotheAdministrationsintentionalomissionoftheirintenttorepurposestudentmandatoryfeestosupportTheAgreementandGPBwhenpresentingtheWRASFMtransmitterfundingtofeecouncils,fulluseoftheWRASFMtransmitterandtheWRASFMterrestrialsignalmustbereturnedtoitsintendeduseatthetimeoftheproposal(April2013)tobroadcastGSUstudentandsportsorientedprogramming.
2. The(1)improperlyauthorizedrepurposingofmandatorystudentactivityfeesintendedforWRASAlbum88fortheoperationoftheterrestrialWRASFMsignaltoinsteadsupporttheactivitiesofGPBandtheDepartmentofCommunicationstelevisionprogramand(2)therepurposingofWRASFMfromanassetprimarilyservingstudentstoanassetbenefittingGPBduring58.33%ofitsairtime(asexecutedbyTheAgreement)mustberemediedbyexecutingtheexitclauseofTheAgreement.Anyattempttoreconcile,asallowedforbyTheAgreement,betweenGSUandGPBmust(1)includerepresentationfromWRASAlbum88asaprimarynegotiatingpartyindependentfromTheAdministration,(2)thetermsofreconciliationmustbeapprovedboththeMFCandStudentGovernmentAssociationand(3)anyfundscommittedorrepurposedtoanyproposedreconciliationmustbeapprovedbytheSAFCandtheadministrationmustagreetoabidebytherecommendationoftheSAFCinthiscase.
3. TheadministrationmustingoodfaithenterintomediatednegotiationswiththestudentstaffandmanagementofWRASAlbum88andtheirrepresentativesconcerningthecreationofabindingoperatingagreementorcharterfortheorganizationtogovernfutureoperationsandinteractionsbetweentheUniversityandWRASAlbum88.
32
-
4. TheadministrationshouldenterintoacomprehensiveindependentoutsidereviewoftheprocessesinplaceatGSUfortheoversightofmandatorystudentfees.Uponcompletionofthisreview,andinpartnershipwithstudentrepresentationoftheSGA,SAFC,MFCandotherfeecouncils,TheAdministrationwillupdatepolicytoinsureproperandconsistentoversightofstudentmandatoryfees.
33
-
AddendumI:AdditionalDocumentation
1. EmailexchangebetweenMarkBecker,PresidentofGSUandTeyaRyan,CEOofGPBdiscussingbondingtofundWRASFMtransmitterpurchase,January2013
2. EMailfromMr.JeffWalkertoDr.DouglasCoveyonconcernsabouttheagreementandonfundingtheWRASFMtransmitterpurchaseforGPB,January2013
3. IndepthWRASNielsenratingsJuly20144. ArbitroncumeratingsJanuary20155. ArbitroncumeratingsSeptember20146. KerryHeywarddeliveringdraftcontractfromGPB,January2013
34
-
Vital Signs Report
WRAS-FM Atlanta-METROP 6+ AVG Daily Pop: 4,953,000Monday-Sunday 6A-12M AVG Weekly Pop: 4,953,000
Daily Panel Estimates FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month AvgAQH Share 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2AQH Rating 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
AQH Persons 700 600 600 800 500 1,000 700Avg Daily Cume 17,100 16,700 18,000 19,400 12,300 13,500 16,167
Avg Daily Cume Rating 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.3Avg Daily Intab 1,452 1,625 1,622 1,604 1,636 1,653 1,599
Avg Time Exposed (ATE) 0:45 0:45 0:45 0:45 0:45 1:15 0:50Weekly Panel Estimates FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month Avg
Avg Weekly Cume 65,100 69,700 73,100 76,300 49,800 47,100 63,517Avg Weekly Intab 1,208 1,360 1,373 1,348 1,359 1,383 1,339
Avg Wkly Time Exposed(AWTE) 1:15 0:45 1:00 1:15 1:00 1:45 1:10 P1 Estimates FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month Avg
AQH Persons 100 0 100 100 100 600 80Avg Weekly Cume 6,400 6,800 3,000 6,700 6,200 8,300 5,820
AQH Composition % 9.2 6.2 14.3 17.7 22.5 62.9 11.4Avg Wkly Cume Composition% 9.8 9.8 4.1 8.8 12.4 17.6 9.2Time Period (AQH Share) FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month Avg
Mo-Fr 6A-10A 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1Mo-Fr 10A-3P 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2
Mo-Fr 3P-7P 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2Mo-Fr 7P-12M 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2Sa-Su 6A-12M 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.4
Gender Composition (AQH) FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month AvgMale 63.4% 63.4% 67.3% 69.1% 69.4% 64.6% 66.2%
Female 36.6% 36.6% 32.7% 30.9% 30.6% 35.4% 33.8%Age Cell Composition (AQH) FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month Avg
6-11 0.2% 3.9% 3.1% 1.5% 0.9% 0.1% 1.6%12-17 1.6% 0.9% 0.7% 1.2% 1.4% 0.3% 1.0%18-24 7.1% 19.1% 24.2% 19.5% 25.4% 17.1% 18.8%25-34 9.0% 15.3% 12.6% 11.6% 10.1% 2.0% 10.1%35-44 17.0% 9.0% 13.9% 15.9% 14.7% 6.9% 12.9%45-54 16.2% 10.0% 16.1% 19.8% 24.2% 66.3% 25.4%55-64 38.6% 19.5% 13.0% 14.1% 12.9% 2.7% 16.8%65-74 9.3% 15.4% 6.5% 8.8% 5.7% 0.3% 7.7%
75+ 1.1% 6.9% 9.9% 7.6% 4.7% 4.4% 5.7%Ethnic Composition (AQH) FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month Avg
Black 8.5% 24.8% 26.1% 26.6% 17.1% 59.4% 27.1%Hispanic 4.0% 1.2% 0.5% 2.8% 2.0% 2.8% 2.2%
Other 87.5% 74.0% 73.5% 70.6% 81.0% 37.8% 70.7%Location(AQH) FEB. 2014 MAR. 2014 APR. 2014 MAY. 2014 JUN. 2014 JUL. 2014 6 Month Avg
Out of Home 53.0% 54.0% 44.6% 50.9% 71.1% 54.9% 54.7%In Home 47.0% 46.0% 55.4% 49.1% 28.9% 45.1% 45.3%
Prepared by RRC from Data ' Nielsen Audio
-
Atlanta-METROJULY 2014 Monday-Sunday 6A-12MP 6+
Prepared by RRC from Data ' Nielsen Audio
WEEK-BY-WEEK TREND
WRAS-FM
Red = Monthly Average0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Survey Week of 6/19/14 Survey Week of 6/26/14 Survey Week of 7/03/14 Survey Week of 7/10/14
Cum
e Pe
rso
ns
in H
un
dreds
(
00)
-
Atlanta-METROJULY 2014 Monday-Sunday 6A-12MP 6+
Prepared by RRC from Data ' Nielsen Audio
DAY-BY-DAY TRENDWRAS-FM
Blue=Weekday Yellow=Weekend Red=Average
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Cum
e Pe
rso
ns
in H
un
dreds
(
00)
-
Atlanta-METROJULY 2014 and MAY 2014/JUNE 2014/JULY 2014 P 6+
Prepared by RRC from Data ' Nielsen Audio
Mo-Fr 5A-1A AQH by QUARTER - HOURWRAS-FM
AM Drive Middays PM Drive Evenings
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
5A51
5A53
0A54
5A 6A61
5A63
0A64
5A 7A71
5A73
0A74
5A 8A81
5A83
0A84
5A 9A91
5A93
0A94
5A 10A
1015
A10
30A
1045
A11
A11
15A
1130
A11
45A
12N
1215
P12
30P
1245
P 1P11
5P13
0P14
5P 2P21
5P23
0P24
5P 3P31
5P33
0P34
5P 4P41
5P43
0P44
5P 5P51
5P53
0P54
5P 6P61
5P63
0P64
5P 7P71
5P73
0P74
5P 8P81
5P83
0P84
5P 9P91
5P93
0P94
5P 10P
1015
P10
30P
1045
P11
P11
15P
1130
P11
45P
12A
1215
A12
30A
1245
A
AQH
Pe
rso
ns
in H
un
dreds
(
00)
Current Month
Daypart Average
3 Month Average
-
Atlanta-METROJULY 2014 and MAY 2014/JUNE 2014/JULY 2014 P 6+
Prepared by RRC from Data ' Nielsen Audio
Sa 5A-1A AQH by QUARTER - HOURWRAS-FM
AM Middays PM Evenings
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
5A51
5A53
0A54
5A 6A61
5A63
0A64
5A 7A71
5A73
0A74
5A 8A81
5A83
0A84
5A 9A91
5A93
0A94
5A 10A
1015
A10
30A
1045
A11
A11
15A
1130
A11
45A
12N
1215
P12
30P
1245
P 1P11
5P13
0P14
5P 2P21
5P23
0P24
5P 3P31
5P33
0P34
5P 4P41
5P43
0P44
5P 5P51
5P53
0P54
5P 6P61
5P63
0P64
5P 7P71
5P73
0P74
5P 8P81
5P83
0P84
5P 9P91
5P93
0P94
5P 10P
1015
P10
30P
1045
P11
P11
15P
1130
P11
45P
12A
1215
A12
30A
1245
A
AQH
Pe
rso
ns
in H
un
dreds
(
00)
Current Month
Daypart Average
3 Month Average
-
Atlanta-METROJULY 2014 and MAY 2014/JUNE 2014/JULY 2014 P 6+
Prepared by RRC from Data ' Nielsen Audio
Su 5A-1A AQH by QUARTER - HOURWRAS-FM
AM Middays PM Evenings
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
5A51
5A53
0A54
5A 6A61
5A63
0A64
5A 7A71
5A73
0A74
5A 8A81
5A83
0A84
5A 9A91
5A93
0A94
5A 10A
1015
A10
30A
1045
A11
A11
15A
1130
A11
45A
12N
1215
P12
30P
1245
P 1P11
5P13
0P14
5P 2P21
5P23
0P24
5P 3P31
5P33
0P34
5P 4P41
5P43
0P44
5P 5P51
5P53
0P54
5P 6P61
5P63
0P64
5P 7P71
5P73
0P74
5P 8P81
5P83
0P84
5P 9P91
5P93
0P94
5P 10P
1015
P10
30P
1045
P11
P11
15P
1130
P11
45P
12A
1215
A12
30A
1245
A
AQH
Pe
rso
ns
in H
un
dreds
(
00)
Current Month
Daypart Average
3 Month Average
-
#9 Atlanta, GA Station Cume
Station Format Sep 14 Oct 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Hol 14 Jan 15 WSB-FM AC 1,282,500 1,301,600 1,228,100 1,231,600 1,316,100 1,165,900
WWPW-FM Top 40/M 948,700 948,500 944,300 1,045,500 1,045,200 988,400 WVEE-FM Urban 999,500 1,004,400 1,025,200 987,500 1,015,300 954,600
WWWQ-FM Top 40/M 915,900 997,400 945,100 925,300 936,200 932,900 WSTR-FM Hot AC 887,100 966,300 1,009,600 881,200 910,500 894,100 WSRV-FM Classic Hits 956,100 903,700 964,600 848,900 881,400 828,000 WALR-FM Urban AC 820,700 779,700 846,100 799,300 803,600 776,700 WHTA-FM Urban 825,800 839,500 841,500 802,000 772,600 773,900 WAMJ-FM Urban AC 769,400 759,200 756,100 755,500 705,600 732,100 WSB-AM Talk 818,700 897,500 869,500 829,600 724,900 694,600 WUBL-FM Country 802,000 806,700 785,900 673,700 725,700 642,100 WKHX-FM Country 683,500 729,800 723,800 683,100 632,400 623,400 WFSH-FM Christian Cont. 589,800 617,900 583,000 605,600 899,800 595,500 WPZE-FM Gospel 448,100 500,600 487,800 456,600 457,800 511,300 WNNX-FM Rock 467,000 453,600 438,800 476,700 469,700 479,200 WRDA-FM Alternative 469,100 529,300 511,100 548,200 534,800 471,100 WZGC-FM Sports 251,100 358,000 376,400 341,900 343,000 379,500 WABE-FM N/T 376,300 431,600 389,900 377,400 340,200 352,900 WYAY-FM News 320,200 304,800 310,700 267,500 277,100 264,800
WWWQ-FM HD3
Top 40/M 226,800 256,400 229,700 227,200 271,100 249,000
WVFJ-FM Christian Cont. 174,100 211,300 210,700 223,000 278,400 199,600 WBZY-FM Regional
Mexican 228,000 214,400 200,100 181,100 192,100 183,200
WAMJ-FM HD2 Urban Oldies -- -- -- 110,000 151,000 169,200 WTSH-FM Alternative 169,600 206,100 206,300 174,100 158,100 162,100 WCLK-FM Jazz 174,800 167,200 166,100 157,100 165,900 140,500 WQXI-AM Sports 85,800 124,300 133,700 124,000 120,900 88,200 WGST-AM Talk 56,700 77,300 84,100 77,200 78,300 64,400
WWWQ-FM HD2
Classic Hits 83,200 91,400 69,900 83,300 129,400 63,700
WRAS-FM Alternative 60,500 60,100 69,100 54,400 58,600 56,700 WAOK-AM N/T 37,000 38,000 31,100 31,500 31,400 40,400 WGKA-AM Talk 57,000 66,400 60,500 47,300 48,700 33,600
-
#9 Atlanta, GA Station Share
Station Format Owner Sep 14 Oct 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Hol 14 Jan 15 WSB-AM Talk Cox Radio 7.2 7.6 7.9 7.6 5.8 7.4 WVEE-FM Urban CBS Radio 7.0 7.1 7.8 8.1 7.6 7.3 WALR-FM Urban AC Cox Radio 6.1 5.9 6.1 6.0 6.7 6.1 WFSH-FM Christian
Cont. Salem 5.3 5.6 5.0 5.4 7.6 5.5
WSB-FM AC Cox Radio 6.4 6.6 5.6 6.0 6.5 5.4 WUBL-FM Country iHeartMedia 6.0 5.3 5.5 5.1 4.8 5.2
WWPW-FM Top 40/M iHeartMedia 3.7 3.9 3.8 4.2 4.9 5.0 WSRV-FM Classic Hits Cox Radio 5.5 4.7 5.2 4.6 4.8 4.9 WAMJ-FM Urban AC Radio One 5.2 4.9 5.0 5.1 4.8 4.8
WWWQ-FM Top 40/M Cumulus 4.2 4.1 4.2 3.9 3.8 4.5 WPZE-FM Gospel Radio One 3.5 4.1 4.0 3.0 3.3 4.2 WHTA-FM Urban Radio One 4.5 4.1 4.5 4.3 3.5 3.9 WKHX-FM Country Cumulus 3.2 3.2 3.5 3.6 3.8 3.6 WABE-FM N/T City Of Atlanta
BOE 3.4 3.7 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.2
WSTR-FM Hot AC Lincoln 3.3 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.5 3.2 WZGC-FM Sports CBS Radio 1.7 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.3 3.0 WRDA-FM Alternative iHeartMedia 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.6 2.5 WNNX-FM Rock Cumulus 2.1 2.0 1.9 2.2 2.0 2.1 WBZY-FM Regional
Mexican iHeartMedia 1.8 1.4 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.7
WYAY-FM News Cumulus 1.6 1.5 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.7 WCLK-FM Jazz Clark Atlanta U 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.3 WVFJ-FM Christian
Cont. RTN 0.8 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.4 1.1
WWWQ-FM HD3 Top 40/M Cumulus 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.2 1.0 WAMJ-FM HD2 Urban Oldies Radio One -- -- -- 0.8 0.5 0.8
WTSH-FM Alternative Cox Radio 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.7 WGST-AM Talk iHeartMedia 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 WRAS-FM Alternative Ga St University 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 WQXI-AM Sports Lincoln 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3
-
Station Format Owner Sep 14 Oct 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Hol 14 Jan 15 WAOK-AM N/T CBS Radio 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 WGKA-AM Talk Salem 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2
WWWQ-FM HD2 Classic Hits Cumulus 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.2
-
b a c k t o t o p S T A T I O N C U M E
#9 Atlanta, GA Station Cume
Station Format Apr 14 May 14 Jun 14 Jul 14 Aug 14 Sep 14
WSB-FM AC 1,258,100 1,303,200 1,250,900 1,274,800 1,354,800 1,282,500
WVEE-FM Urban 1,050,100 1,057,100 1,010,000 979,100 946,500 999,500
WSRV-FM Classic Hits 946,700 938,500 925,900 922,500 873,800 956,100
WWPW-FM Top 40/M 1,027,100 1,034,100 1,021,800 979,300 1,023,500 948,700
WWWQ-FM Top 40/M 1,067,800 1,021,000 997,700 985,100 993,200 915,900 WSTR-FM Hot AC 909,900 939,000 924,300 874,500 987,800 887,100
WHTA-FM Urban 730,500 759,800 805,700 812,700 803,100 825,800
WALR-FM Urban AC 852,600 890,200 815,900 836,000 801,600 820,700
WSB-AM Talk 820,700 853,700 824,300 752,300 807,200 818,700
WUBL-FM Country 685,900 700,600 786,100 813,400 841,600 802,000
WAMJ-FM Urban AC 803,000 850,500 798,800 720,800 766,100 769,400
WKHX-FM Country 686,600 713,600 740,900 704,200 734,000 683,500
WFSH-FM Christian Cont. 654,200 665,400 632,400 597,000 595,800 589,800
WRDA-FM Alternative 553,000 506,000 446,000 521,000 512,300 469,100
WNNX-FM Rock 457,000 440,100 418,600 482,100 465,200 467,000
WPZE-FM Gospel 543,800 536,100 516,000 461,700 522,100 448,100
WABE-FM N/T 402,500 379,700 387,700 384,000 398,400 376,300
WYAY-FM News 449,100 440,200 360,900 325,200 319,600 320,200
WZGC-FM Sports 189,400 184,200 152,700 153,400 158,400 251,100
WBZY-FM Regional Mexican
214,000 205,700 201,700 204,800 243,400 228,000
WWWQ-FM HD3
Top 40/M 229,900 245,600 230,400 185,700 193,000 226,800
WCLK-FM Jazz 169,200 198,700 152,200 144,300 168,900 174,800
WVFJ-FM Christian Cont. 221,300 187,200 168,100 177,500 188,100 174,100
WQXI-AM Sports 80,500 84,500 63,500 104,700 60,800 85,800 WWWQ-FM HD2
Classic Hits 150,100 147,300 120,700 120,800 158,500 83,200
WRAS-FM Alternative 73,100 76,300 49,800 47,100 69,900 60,500
WGKA-AM Talk 52,200 39,200 56,100 37,600 57,400 57,000
WGST-AM Talk 48,100 64,200 77,400 46,700 60,100 56,700
WAOK-AM N/T 42,400 56,900 39,800 44,100 38,400 37,000
-
b a c k t o t o p M A R K E T S H A R E S
#9 Atlanta, GA Last updated: Sep 29, 2014
Station Format Owner Apr 14 May 14 Jun 14 Jul 14 Aug 14 Sep 14
WSB-AM Talk Cox Radio 7.3 7.4 7.0 6.6 6.4 7.2
WVEE-FM Urban CBS Radio 6.4 6.0 6.5 6.5 6.3 7.0
WSB-FM AC Cox Radio 5.9 6.0 6.2 7.0 6.4 6.4
WALR-FM Urban AC Cox Radio 6.7 7.0 6.5 6.3 6.8 6.1
WUBL-FM Country iHeartMedia 4.9 4.9 5.7 6.3 6.5 6.0
WSRV-FM Classic Hits Cox Radio 4.9 5.0 5.5 5.8 5.2 5.5
WFSH-FM Christian Cont. Salem 5.2 5.4 5.2 5.0 4.7 5.3
WAMJ-FM Urban AC Radio One 5.9 6.0 5.2 4.4 4.3 5.2
WHTA-FM Urban Radio One 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.7 4.2 4.5
WWWQ-FM Top 40/M Cumulus 4.1 4.5 5.0 5.0 4.6 4.2 WWPW-FM Top 40/M iHeartMedia 4.5 3.8 4.6 4.0 3.9 3.7
WPZE-FM Gospel Radio One 3.8 4.1 3.9 3.5 3.8 3.5
WABE-FM N/T City Of Atlanta BOE 3.4 3.1 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.4
WSTR-FM Hot AC Lincoln 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.4 3.7 3.3
WKHX-FM Country Cumulus 3.6 3.9 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.2
WRDA-FM Alternative iHeartMedia 3.0 2.6 2.5 3.3 3.1 2.6
WNNX-FM Rock Cumulus 1.9 1.9 1.6 2.0 2.1 2.1
WBZY-FM Regional Mexican iHeartMedia 1.9 2.1 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.8
WZGC-FM Sports CBS Radio 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.7
WYAY-FM News Cumulus 2.0 2.1 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6
WCLK-FM Jazz Clark Atlanta U 1.0 1.3 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.1
WVFJ-FM Christian Cont. RTN 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8
WWWQ-FM HD3 Top 40/M Cumulus 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 WGST-AM Talk iHeartMedia 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4
WQXI-AM Sports Lincoln 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 WAOK-AM N/T CBS Radio 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
WGKA-AM Talk Salem 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3
WRAS-FM Alternative Ga St University 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.3
WWWQ-FM HD2 Classic Hits Cumulus 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.2