The current staff is trying to turn things around, however, promoting the station's year-old (although only 30-watt) antenna, and trying harder than ever to get the campus community involved.

This feat would seem more difficult in 1996, however, as the role of a typical college radio station no longer seems as broad - once the bastions of cutting edge music and entertainment, college radio has been supplanted somewhat by the steady infiltratio n of alternative radio stations, MTV Buzz Bins, and mass produced music 'zines. Today's college student might not be interested in seeking out the new and different, as it is so easy when you have a lot of things readily available that claim to be "hip."

The appearance of a major alternative commercial radio station last year should have been another strike against the budding campus medium, but KAMP insists otherwise.

"We don't feel threatened or anything by (KFMA)," says assistant station manager Kevin Robbins. "A couple of former KAMP guys are working there, Rob Cross (a.k.a. Chuck Roast) and Chad (from Chad's Pad). Rob still sits on our advisory board.

KFMA is good because it's getting more people listening to different music," Robbins adds. "We hope that we can be a training ground for KFMA (as far as DJs and personnel go), and that they can be a training ground for their audience to eventually come wo rk for us."

With more people cued in to what they think is on the cutting edge, KAMP is somewhat forced to accommodate people in ways college radio of yesteryear didn't have to.

"We're more diverse this year," explains Matt Sullivan, program director for KAMP. "All those specialty shows that we used to have at night - the blues show, reggae show, punk show, garage rock show - we spread that out during the day to get more kinds of music represented.

"We have so much good music from all over the world," continues Sullivan, "that we can play something that a punk fan will really like and follow it up with some great world music."

KAMP is looking to expand its listener base as well. A mainstay on the cable system for years, KAMP finally got a 30-watt antenna last year, allowing it to broadcast, well, to most of the campus. But, as Robbins points out, "We're also in the dorm rooms w ith their new cable thing, so all students will be able to tune in to us."

That's not to say that their antenna will never be upgraded either. KAMP is trying to pass an optional student fee that will be tacked onto student registration payments - optional meaning you're automatically charged for the fee, but you can request not to be.

Financing seems to be a big problem for KAMP, in more ways than one. Nearly all (except for president Marc Gurstel who receives a small stipend) employees are volunteers, with dedicated executive board members donating their time for no monetary reward.

"For all of us, it's school first," says Sullivan. "But after that, all of our heart goes into KAMP."

That's not to say there are no gains for employees, however. A hard-worked year can lead to a coveted internship with a record label or radio station, or better.

"It truly is a learning job experience," Robbins says. "You take all this knowledge (motioning towards campus) and apply it to KAMP."

"It's more than you learn in class," Sullivan interjects.

And that's part of why Robbins and Sullivan maintain that student radio is important. "It offers students a media outlet, a voice," states Robbins.

Robbins hopes that KAMP continues to offer students that chance. "We're trying to become more campus-oriented. We're working with Wildcat Welcome now, and any nonprofit organization that comes out (on the Mall), we're going to be there with them also."

"We want to make the students realize that we're here for them," Sullivan points out. "Everybody can tune in. We want to open their minds."

At the same time, KAMP recognizes that today's students know what they want to hear.

"We play all requests," Sullivan says.

And, Robbins adds, that's a way to hook the listeners in. "We play Bush and No Doubt. But then we'll play something that the listeners haven't heard of.

"We played a block party last week (with KAMP's mobile unit), and I played a track off the brand new Descendants records, which is great. Anyway, the song finishes, and this skater kid comes walking up and requests Bush - I said 'what do you mean, I just played this great new Descendants song with Milo and everything!" and he just stands there like, 'uh, Bush?'"

"But we give them what they want" Robbins reiterates.

"And we give them what they need!" says Sullivan.

For the time being, KAMP can be heard on AM 1570, though a co-worker stated that that can be like listening to its own experimental song, "with snatches of song floating in and out, mixing in with signals from around the world." He's right - the signal is n't very strong. But KAMP is determined to get listeners in - by performing on the new permanent stage on the Mall, through fliers, activities listings, and mobile DJ performance. They even have a couple of their DJs doing stuff with clubs here in town (h ip hop DJ Chris Aspin does time at Club 151, DJ Chagai has done stuff for the Rock).

And get ready for the first free KAMP concert event of the year. Friday night at 7 p.m., KAMP and Wildcat Welcome present local favorites the Weird Love Makers on the UA Mall stage, coupled with Phoenix/Pittsburgh based Pollen and Tucson's bad boys, the G amera Crowns.

And as always, students are encouraged to get involved by attending meetings at 5:30 p.m., on Wednesdays, in Old Chemistry, Room 111.

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