By Dave Gosselink
Radio One has been the voice of University of Otago students for almost three decades.
That is now at risk, with the students' association considering a proposal to sell the station.
Station manager Sean Norling says “it's very serious”. “We're looking at protecting 27 years of culture and history here.”
The Otago University Students’ Association wants to cut spending before the possible introduction of voluntary student membership.
OUSA president Logan Edgar says Radio One was ranked second lowest in a survey of student services.
“We just cannot afford to keep running all the services to the full extent that we have been, and we'll have to give up a lot of our luxuries,” says Mr Edgar.
The station has six paid staff and around 70 volunteers, broadcasting a schedule of music, news, and debate.
Mr Norling says selling Radio One does not add up, given its non-commercial license and obligations.
“The subsidy that Radio One receives from its student members is the equivalent of a cup of coffee or something like that.”
But the station has mixed support around campus.
“It's not really something I listen to because Radio One is like, it's about as useful as a BA degree,” says student Tim Norman.
Another student, Reuben Mariu, says he listens and feels that it is “a real student-based” station.
Laura Simpson says “it’s great to have it there, but maybe not as a student radio station”.
Breakfast host Aaron Hawkins has been with Radio One for eight years. He says it is a vital part of the wider student community.
“It's an avenue for people to be able to step outside the homogonous mainstream media and present a more diverse range of opinions and tastes,” says Mr Hawkins.
It has also provided valuable exposure for local musicians.
Rock lecturer Graeme Downes made his name as front man of Dunedin band The Verlaine’s. He believes student radio has an important role in fostering New Zealand music.
“It kind of has a wider spinoff in terms of how the world perceives us.
“That music that we make here has an outlet, or at least a foothold, to get started to get to the Die Die Die level.”
Mr Edgar accepts Radio One has an audience outside of campus, but says it is a question of how much students should be paying for it.
The station's fate is due to be decided in early August.
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