Fate of KAMP radio is in voters' hands

Ryan A. Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat Andrea Johnson, an assistant disc jockey for KAMP Student Radio, spins records and plays compact discs Friday afternoon. KAMP has been working to gain more listeners since it began broadcasting in 1988.

The KAMP referendum, on the general election ballot today and tomorrow, asks students to support a $1 student fee added to each semester's tuition for five years or until business sponsorship equals student fee revenue.

The fee would generate about $350,000, which would be used only to purchase a 5,000-watt transmitter, antenna and equipment upgrades to make the station compatible with an FM frequency, said Kevin Robbins, KAMP's station manager.

The whole package will cost between $250,000 and $500,000, said Jeff Goldberg, KAMP's marketing director.

Goldberg said underwriting and tax-free donations in return for air time, will raise the rest of the funds.

"We're asking students to invest in the radio station, not fund it," said Robbins, who has volunteered at the station for 2 1/2 years.

KAMP Student Radio is under the jurisdiction of the University Activities Board, in the Department of Student Programs. UAB allocates about $3,500 to KAMP each year for operational costs, including a stipend for the general manager, said Todd Stark, UAB coordinator.

The general manager is the only paid position at the student-run radio station, Robbins said.

Stark said UAB will continue to fund KAMP for its operational costs if the student fee is passed.

"There is no money anywhere else. It is in the students' hands whether or not they want their radio station to have a larger audience," Stark said.

Stark said KAMP still needs to decide whether it would take out a loan to pay for the transmitter and antenna or wait until all the money is collected.

Another option is to find an antenna and frequency that is already established and buy out the Federal Communications Commission license, said James Saper, KAMP's World Wide Web page co-director.

"That is the less painful route because all the bugs are worked out of the system," Saper said.

If that is not possible, KAMP would have to apply for an FCC license, which can take eight to 12 months for the paperwork to go through, Robbins said.

Robbins said that KAMP's goal is not to compete with commercial radio stations.

He said KAMP can provide a campus community feeling, promoting concerts, activities and giveaways for students and providing free public service announcements for clubs and organizations.

Saper said the station can give a different perspective than the other radio stations in Tucson.

"You know the people out there are your peers," said Saper, who has volunteered at KAMP for 3 1/2 years. "It gives you the sense that they're human."

Saper said that once the antenna is up, KAMP will be the primary radio source for the campus market.

"We're going to get better servicing and better access to bands through our name recognition. By being a more powerful station, they will see us as better access (to the University of Arizona)," Saper said.

He said there will be an influx of promotional compact discs sent to the station by record companies.

Berry Melfy, UA director of the Arizona Students' Association, said fees initiated by students are supported by ASA.

ASA is a statewide student group that lobbies the state Legislature and Arizona Board of Regents about the cost of tuition.

"If the student body votes for a fee, that is great," Melfy said. "We're here to lobby for what they want."

But she said ASA fights against student fees assessed by the administration because they can become a way for the administration to sidestep a tuition increase.

Jim Drnek, adviser to the Associated Students, said, "There's nothing in the ASUA constitution that prohibits a student organization from proposing or assessing a fee."

Nevertheless, referendums don't happen very often, Drnek said.

Dean of Students Melissa Vito said the process is already in place for the collection and disbursement of student fees because of the fee students pay for the Student Recreation Center.

The Bursar's Office collects the fee through tuition and then disburses it to the specific accounts, Vito said.

KAMP's humble beginnings are traced back to 1988, when the radio station was established and started broadcasting on TCI Cablevision.

About 80 students are announcers for the station, which produces over 80 shows a week, Saper said.

Jose Mangin, a pre-pharmacy junior, produces "Beyond the Pit," a heavy metal music program on Friday nights.

"I want to be a DJ for the rest of my life," said Mangin, who has volunteered at KAMP for 1 1/2 years. "I love more listeners and people calling in. I'm ready to broadcast all over Tucson."

Robbins said, "We have taken gradual steps. We're prepared for what is happening now."

Robbins said the steps include ASUA's purchase of a 30-watt AM transmitter and antenna in spring 1995 for $1,995 and the purchase of a one-half-watt FM transmitter and antenna in fall 1994.

Saper said the one-half-watt antenna ran off a 9-volt battery and the frequency could only heard between Old Main and Bear Down Gym.

The current 30-watt transmitter can be heard for a three-mile radius from campus, although the residence halls sometimes cannot pick up the signal because of building interference, Robbins said.

"The enthusiasm and morale of KAMP rose with the 30-watt antenna," Robbins said.

"This past year has been the best year for KAMP because every person is excited about it."