Plans are in progress for BUCK-iTV, a new student-run television station, which could be launched during Welcome Week for autumn 2002.
“This is a work in progress,” said Jarrod Weiss, a sophomore in political science and communications. He is also the director of Marketing and Public Relations for BUCK-iTV.
“Right now we’re working on garnering student support and more importantly, their ideas,” Weiss said. “We want to know what students like best and what they want to see.”
The television station would be similar to any other student organization on campus. Students in any major will be able to participate in BUCK-iTV.
“We want all kinds of backgrounds interacting to make the station work,” Weiss said. “Everyone can play a role in this. Theater majors can help with sets. Marketing majors can work on promotions. English majors can write plays and so on.”
A television station on campus would allow students to have a say in programming and what they want to view, Weiss said.
“I think it’s a good way for students to get more involved with each other and within their major,” said Whitney Gooley, a sophomore in international business. “It sounds like you can get real-life experience by working at the television station.”
BUCK-iTV would encompass a broad range of programming to suit all types of viewers.
“The station would be a cross between MTV, a news program like CNN and general programming, which will all eventually be run by students,” Weiss said. “You can tune in to watch music videos, the news or even something similar to your favorite late night talk show.”
In its early stages, the television station will reach only the dorms and televisions on campus equipped with UNITS. According to Weiss, there has been talk with local cable providers to get BUCK-iTV to the off-campus area so that all students will have access.
The prime location for the television station is in the Drake Union, in what used to be Archie’s Alley.
The idea for BUCK-iTV originated during spring quarter within the Undergraduate Student Government. However, the idea was dropped soon after when some members of USG resigned.
When BUCK-iTV was first introduced, the idea was presented to faculty and administrators, and it received a large response of written approval. The executive board for BUCK-iTV is following up on the list to ensure support. President William “Brit” Kirwan has also stated his support of BUCK-iTV through e-mail, Weiss said.
The idea was picked up by a group of students, branched off from the Underground radio station, who presented the idea to USG President Eddie Pauline.
“We are in full support of BUCK-iTV and are excited to see it happen,” Pauline said. “Our main role in this project is to help with funding and get BUCK-iTV established.”
Weiss said they are working to make the station independently funded and they have sought out help from local television stations.
