DJ Handbook

(2007-2008)

Welcome to 93.3 WPUM, Puma Rock! WPUM is a student-operated, non-commercial, educational (NCE) radio station. Our music format is a mix of oldies, classic rock, 80s, rock, CHR/Top 40, hip/hop, & country. Hence our slogan: We Play It All! WPUM typically broadcasts 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. WPUM also broadcasts live coverage of SJC football, basketball, and baseball, in addition to student-produced Specialty Shows. Listen online at www.saintjoe.edu/~wpum.

NCE stations do not receive revenue from advertising. Rather, revenue is generated through underwriters, sponsors, or donors from businesses and/or organizations in the listening area. Messages broadcast on NCE stations are called “announcements” rather than advertisements. Therefore, any mention or endorsement of a product/business and the prices, discounts or specials of a product is against the rules and regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The mission of WPUM is twofold:

1) To educate and train students to work at commercial radio stations and/or audio production houses, and

2) To become a campus and community-centered radio station.

Please, carefully and thoroughly read this on-air operator agreement contract, then sign and return the last page to Sally Nesselrode, WPUM Faculty Advisor. You are responsible for all the information set forth in this agreement. The Communication Department faculty and WPUM management expect you to maintain the professionalism and quality of WPUM.

“DJ” means Disc Jockey, which is defined as the on-air talent who is responsible for live, on-air announcing and operation of all equipment in the broadcast studio. The DJ has the following responsibilities:

I. Legal ID

A. The FCC requires every station to broadcast a Legal ID at (or within 5 minutes of) the top of each hour, every hour the station is on the air.

B. A Legal ID is the station’s Call Letters (WPUM) immediately followed by the city of license (Rensselaer). Anything else can go before or after these 2 required elements, but nothing goes between them.

a. Example: 93.3 Puma Rock is WPUM Rensselaer, Saint Joseph's College.

II. Music Logs

A. Each DJ must follow a computerized playlist or “log,” which is scheduled hourly.

B. Each DJ must not break music format (specialty shows are exempt).

C. Each DJ must sign in/out every time you have an airshift. You will not receive credit for your airshift if you do not sign in/out.

III. Responsibilities/Missed Airshifts

A. You are responsible for your own airshift/show, and you are expected to arrive ON TIME.

B. If you have a conflict or if you are ill, you are responsible for finding another DJ to fill your shift. In this instance, a “trade” agreement will be in effect. “Trade” means a DJ agrees to take your shift in exchange for you doing the same for him/her for the same amount of time (i.e. If a DJ agrees to take your 2-hour shift then you owe him/her 2 hours). Then, you must notify the Faculty Advisor and Program Director of the change before the airshift.

C. If you have an emergency or a last-minute conflict, you are responsible for contacting the Faculty Advisor or the Program Director.

IV. Attendance of Meetings

A. All DJs (including Radio Lab & Performance Grant students) must attend scheduled, announced meetings, which are typically once a month. If you have a conflict, it is your responsibility to inform the Faculty Advisor or the Program Director prior to the meeting.

V. Radio Lab Responsibilities

A. 3 hours/week, engineer 1 home game, work 1 station event, attend all meetings.

A = no unexcused absences; completed all other duties

A- = missed 1 airshift & 1 meeting; completed all other duties

B+ = missed 2 airshifts, completed all other duties

B = missed 2 airshifts & 1 meeting OR 3 airshifts, but completed all other duties

B- = missed 3 airshifts & 1 meeting, but completed all other duties

C = missed 4 airshifts & more than 1 meeting, but completed all other duties

C- = missed 5 airshifts & more than 1 meeting, but did not complete other duties

D = missed 6 airshifts, more than 1 meeting, but did not complete other duties

F = missed 6+ airshifts, 2 or more meetings, did not complete other duties

Note: unexcused absences cannot be made up

"If you miss an airshift due to a known conflict or severe illness, you will have 1 full week (7 days) to make up the missed hour(s). Otherwise it will count as an absence and cannot be made up.  In addition, missing an airshift for ANY preventable reason (simply forgetting, over-sleeping, studying for an exam, etc.) automatically counts as an absence and cannot be made up.  Please be aware that you must notify the Faculty Advisor of any known conflict PRIOR TO your scheduled airshift.  Failure to do this means you cannot make up the airshift." The faculty advisor reserves the right to determine excused absences.

VI. Demerit System (for volunteers only)

A. Demerits are issued when a volunteer DJ breaks any WPUM rule.

1. 1 demerit = a warning via e-mail

2. 2 demerits = a written notice

3. 3 demerits = expelled from WPUM for the semester

B. The items listed below are serious infractions that lead to demerits:

1. An unexcused absence (missing an airshift with no prior notice).

2. Inappropriate behavior on air (indecency, vulgarity, obscenity, unethical comments, disparaging comments about another person and/or Saint Joseph's College, etc.).

3. Not following the play list.

4. Breaking music format during regular programming.

5. Missed meetings.

**Radio Lab & performance scholarship students are required to attend monthly meetings.

6. Breaking other WPUM rules (see VII).

VII. Station Rules

A. NO FOOD OR DRINKS are allowed in the WPUM studios.

B. KEEP THE STUDIOS CLEAN

C. VISITORS: Each DJ is allowed 2 visitors in the studio during his/her airshift. You are responsible for anything and everything that takes place in the studio at all times. Visitors must adhere to all WPUM rules and are NOT allowed to touch or operate the equipment or go on the air.

D. ON-AIR CONDUCT: As an announcer, your role is to communicate, inform and entertain our listening audience in a respectful and ethical manner. Your listener should be your number one priority, not you or your roommate or dorm friends. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibits cursing of certain words over the airwaves. If any WPUM manager, faculty, or the faculty advisor hears you say any of the 7 prohibited words over the air, you will be fined $50.00, payable to WPUM. If you are heard saying, “bitch, sucks, piss, damn, hell” etc., you will be fined $1.00 for each word, payable to WPUM. If the FCC catches you, expect to be fined much more!

E. ALCOHOL/DRUGS: At no time, under any circumstances, is there to be alcohol or drugs in WPUM. And, you are never to show up for your airshift intoxicated or high. The following procedures will be taken if such an incident occurs:

1. You will be taken off the air immediately and expelled from WPUM indefinitely.

2. Saint Joseph's College security and/or station management will escort you out of the building.

3. Your case will be turned over to Student Affairs and your performance grant in Radio/TV will be terminated.

**NO WARNINGS will be issued. No Alcohol or Drugs, Period!

F. THEFT: Anyone caught stealing music and/or equipment from WPUM will immediately be taken off the air, expelled from WPUM, receive an “F” for Radio Lab, and reported to campus police and the vice president. Legal action could be taken.

VIII. Dues

WPUM is an official club registered with the Office of Student Activities (OSA) at Saint Joseph's College. The success of the Radio Club depends on you, the DJ. Therefore, the following is in effect:

A. $5.00 per semester (Radio Lab students are exempt from dues).

B. Payment is due before you go on the air.

C. Each paid DJ automatically becomes an active member of the WPUM radio club, which gives the DJ voting rights and other privileges.

D. Those who do not pay dues by the deadline will automatically forfeit their voting rights, will not be allowed to take part in WPUM activities, and may be asked to surrender on-air duties.

IX. Specialty Shows

A. A specialty show is a 3-hour weekly program that consists of music other than regular programming. Specialty shows usually have a consistent, interesting format, such as Classic Rock, All-requests, Dance, 80s, R&B, Love Line, talk radio, etc.

B. Specialty shows typically air each night from 9pm-Midnight and can include 2 hosts. Alternative hours could be arranged.

C. Each DJ is responsible for producing the show, which is expected to be well-planned and well-executed each week.

D. QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A DJ must have completed one full semester of on-air performance before he/she is qualified to apply for a specialty show. Applications are available in the radio station and from the Faculty Advisor.

2. Applicants are required to pitch their show idea to WPUM managers before a decision is made.

3. Seniority counts. However, a novice team who pitches a better plan than experienced DJs will receive a higher recommendation. Current and previous involvement, attitude, and of course “talent” will factor into the final decision.

4. A specialty show does not count as the required 3 hours for Radio Lab. It can, however, count as partial fulfillment toward weekly performance grant hours.

5. DJs are required to promote their show by writing a promotion on a 3x5 note card and by helping create a recorded promo with the Production Director.

6. Two unexcused absences and/or evidence of poor planning will result in automatic and immediate termination of the specialty show. No exceptions, no questions, no discussion.

X. WPUM Management

The staff at WPUM consists of student managers who are involved in the planning and implementation of WPUM rules, as well as the organization and direction of the radio station. Terms are one year and can be renewed.

1. The Program Director (PD) is in charge of all programming content, airshift schedules, and content of station liners/bumpers/promos. The PD is also responsible for everything the station broadcasts (music, specialty shows, on-air station promotions, news, psa's, breaks, station ID's, bumpers, "jock talk") and WHEN all the above will air. The PD is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The program director answers directly to Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM. This person must work well with the Music Director to decide which songs fit the station's format as well as oversee music research efforts. The PD also has the authority to remove a DJ or any visitor from the studio if the PD finds the content of the show and/or the DJ’s conduct to be below WPUM standards of good sound or taste or in violation of FCC rules. The PD also has the authority to issue demerits without the consent of the Faculty Advisor.

2. The Music Director (MD) is responsible for all music and its daily airplay schedule. Duties include scheduling a daily playlist, keeping the music categories current with the national music chart in R&R magazine, and establishing and maintaining relationships with industry music representatives. The music director is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The music director answers directly to Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM. The MD must work closely with the PD. The MD can recommend demerits, but not issue them.

3. The Production Director is in charge of ALL production intended for airplay at WPUM. The Production Director will mostly write and produce station imaging spots, liners, bumpers, sweepers, drops, and underwriting spots. Other students (including managers) are certainly welcome to do production. However, the production director must approve any production before it airs. The Production Director is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The Production Director answers to the Program Director and Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM.

4. The Personnel/Traffic Director overseas DJ airshifts and manages “traffic” for WPUM. Specifically, this person is in charge of helping organize the DJ on-air schedule, updating & posting the on-air schedule in the radio station, reporting any missed shifts to the Program Director and Faculty Advisor, training DJs on the studio equipment, training DJs for engineering duties, creating a staff list with phone numbers and addresses, and putting the DJ sign-in sheets in the studio each Monday. This person is also in charge of Traffic for WPUM—ripping and scheduling produced PSAs in the “Master Control” computer and scheduling underwriting spots. The Personnel/Traffic Director is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The Personnel/Traffic Director answers to the Program Director and Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM.

5. The Promotions/Announcements Director is in charge of all station promotion efforts that will help increase WPUM’s listening audience. Duties include:

· Write and produce (in production studio) all station promotional announcements;

· Develop, coordinate and implement exciting, interesting on-air give-away contests;

· Advertise WPUM by designing and distributing flyers around campus and the community;

· Advertise WPUM by using various media (TV, campus and city newspapers, etc.);

· Make PowerPoint slides for Puma Pages

· Enter campus club announcements into the computer system for live DJ reads

· This will require being trained on the “Master Control” computer and rewriting announcements into a broadcast style for radio.

· Help organize fundraiser activities

· The Promotions/Announcements Director is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The Promotions/Announcements Director answers to the Program Director and Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM.

6. The Underwriting Director is responsible for getting businesses in and around WPUM’s listening area to financially support WPUM programming by underwriting programs. Money raised is deposited in the WPUM account and is used for various purchases (equipment, WPUM activities, etc.). Underwriting executives earn 15% commission on new accounts and 10% commission on renewed accounts. The Underwriting Director is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The Underwriting Director answers directly to Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM.

7. The Sports Director is the liaison between WPUM and the Athletic Department. The Sports Director is responsible for lining up play-by-play and color announcers, collecting and distributing game schedules to the announcers, and organizing coaches/players interviews before games. The Sports Director must also produce the pre-game shows. The Sports Director is part of WPUM management. Therefore, he/she is expected to be mature, responsible, and reliable and maintain an active role in the Radio Club. The Sports Director answers to Prof. Fred Berger, director of Radio/Television and Sally Nesselrode, General Manager and Faculty Advisor of WPUM.

PERFORMANCE GRANT STUDENTS:

In exchange for an annual $1500 performance grant, I agree to work 7 hours/week each semester in various aspects of WPUM-FM and WPUM-TV 6, including but not limited to on-air, news, sports, production, underwriting, and promotions.

I also agree to engineer one home game for WPUM and work one community service/station event (including a Discover Day) this semester. Failure to fulfill this agreement could jeopardize my scholarship.

RADIO LAB STUDENTS:

In exchange for receiving 1 hour of college credit, I agree to work 3 hours/week in various aspects of WPUM-FM, including but not limited to on-air, news, sports, production, underwriting, and promotions.

I also agree to engineer one complete home game (in the on-air studio) AND work one community service/station event (Homecoming, Discover Day, etc.) for WPUM-FM this semester. Failure to fulfill these requirements will affect my final grade in the course.

DJ AGREEMENT FORM

Return this page only

If you agree to the information of the handbook, sign and return THIS PAGE ONLY to the Faculty Advisor before you sign up for an airshift.

I, , have read and understand all the provisions set forth. I agree and understand that I take full responsibility for the comprehension and fulfillment of the procedures and rules described in this agreement. If I do not comply with the above policies, I understand that I may be warned, suspended, or expelled from the station.

It is also my responsibility to approach the members of WPUM management to clarify any points in this agreement that are unclear to me. Failure to do this will result in the assumption that I fully understand all aspects of the policies and procedures of WPUM-FM.

I understand that failure to return this contract will automatically cancel my airshift and/or specialty show.

DJ Date

Faculty Advisor Date

******************************staff use only*****************************

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