The Lion's Roar 05/04/2021

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Hammond, LA

May 4, 2021

S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y

On-air or online: The future of KSLU radio

Troy Granger, a sophomore communication major, is a studnet worker at the KSLU radio station. With renovations scheduled for D Vickers Hall, questions have arisen regarding the future of KSLU’s radio operations. Symiah Dorsey/The Lion’s Roar SYMIAH DORSEY Staff Reporter

While the renovations of D Vickers Hall have posed a promising future for the Department of Communication and Media Studies, the transition period has left many programs in a stage of limbo. KSLU, the university’s FM

radio station, is among those that will be directly impacted by D Vickers’ renovations. With the construction period ahead, the department must consider how to handle the satellite and terrestrial equipment needed to keep the station on-air. Department Head James O’Connor, PhD, said there are three main possibilities

for KSLU during and after construction. “They can either build around it, move it or transition to internet radio. Maintaining it while construction is going on--it could be anywhere from $25-80,000. When you’re talking about a 20 million dollar building, that’s really not that big. But, that’s not the

major consideration. The major consideration is the logistics of doing it. Is this a viable way of doing it?,” O’Connor said. In order to continue terrestrial radio operations, KSLU must also maintain its Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) licensing. O’Connor said the likelihood of maintaining the license

during construction is another area of consideration. “They would have to maintain operations. What we could also do is request permission from the FCC to power down during the transition phase, but we’re not sure how long construction would take. There are limits on how long you could do it,”

O’Connor said. Keeping student listenership in mind, O’Connor said the transition to an online format could be a viable option. He said, “It’s being looked at. The idea is that communication is moving digitally to internet delivery. The question would be ‘Can you build an audience with an internet radio station?’, and there’s a lot of college stations that have gone that direction. So, that is also an option. Terrestrial radio is a medium that’s on the wane right now, and that’s something people have to look at.” O’Connor said there are both pros and cons to KSLU operating entirely online. “The pro of online formatting is that you don’t have the expense of operation; it’s a significantly lower expense. But, the con of going online is that some people feel traditional radio is essential to the community and to the university because it’s been around for years now,” O’Connor said. Professor Amber Narro, PhD, is among those using radio to connect with the community. As the host of the KSLU community interest show Point of View, Narro said she believes terrestrial and internet radio can continue to coexist at the university. “I think there is room for both. We would be irresponsible if we didn’t try to enter the world of streaming, and obviously I support that

see KSLU, pg. 3

“Dark Skinned Pavement” shines light on police brutality

“Dark Skinned Pavement,” which was presented at the Vonnie Borden Theatre April 27-30, provides an inslight look into the lives of a Black American family who lost their son to police brutality. Written by TJ Young, the play features an all-Black cast. Kloe Andrews/The Lion’s Roar TRINITY BROWN Staff Reporter

Last week, “Dark Skinned Pavement’’ made its way to the Vonnie Borden Theatre stage, reflecting similar incidents from the past few months involving police brutality and protests. The play premiered from April 27-30 at 7:30 p.m. Written by TJ Young, the winner of the Inkslinger Playwriting Competition, the play highlights the grievances of a Black American family who lost their son to police brutality. Faculty member and director Anne-Liese Fox works for the theatre department and was pleased with the topic and attention that the play drew in on campus. “I just felt it really spoke to the times because we have been having a lot of incidents lately that deserve to be talked about, and his play really brought that out. It was so well written,” said Fox. At the performance on April 28, Fox invited the University Counseling Center and Justice 4 All, a campus organization that advocates for citizens regarding these types of issues in society. The panel of UCC workers sat in front of the stage next to two Justice 4 All members and explained how a person could cope with the feelings of fear and mourning. They encouraged people to stay aware of how they are feeling and to seek help as soon as they can. Sophomore management major Isaiah Smith played the character of Martell, the deceased son Weather

Tuesday H 84 L 70

who was shot by police. Smith shared how he felt trying to embody the character, saying he was, “Excited, but mainly nervous because I wanted to be a symbol that represents Martell because he is the representative of the people the police tend to kill. I even did research on multiple incidents.” Smith said he believes the play needed to be shown and thought it was an honor to be a part of such a movement. “The main thing that popped out to me was the Black cast and the police brutality, and that was a big thing that’s in society and it just resonates with me. I also wanted to portray that type of character because it looked like a very important challenge that I believed would really help me as an actor,” he said. Janai Stevens, a freshman English major, played the role of Shay, a cousin of Martell’s parents. Stevens agreed with Smith on how important the story seemed. She also felt it resonated with the audience and what society has been going through which is why she was excited to audition for the part. Stevens said, “I had honestly looked at the flyer and looked up what it was about and seen a little synopsis and bio. It just was such a very powerful story and resonates so well with all of us today. I wanted to be a part of something that was this big and this important.”

Index

Wednesday H 81 L 64

Campus Life.................................2 Opinions.....................................3 Sports.........................................4

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Volume 92, Issue 23 A Student Publication www.lionsroarnews.com lionsroar@southeastern.edu


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