vsg dream act resolution tabled
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The Vanderbilt Hustler T h e
v o i c e
friday, september 17, 2010 admissions
Freshmen class stats increase Vandy’s prestige
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www.InsideVandy.com
122nd year, no. 39
student media
VSC explores sale of 91.1 FM
VU Media Relations The Class of 2014 poses on Commons Lawn in an annual tradition for first-year students at Vanderbilt. charlotte cleary Staff Writer The accomplishments of the enrolled students in the class of 2014 continue to raise the value of a Vanderbilt undergraduate degree, according to statistics gathered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions. The current freshmen class consists of exactly 1,600 students, which is the exact number projected by the Office of Admissions one year ago. According to the Office of Admission, this is the maximum capacity for the Commons and cannot grow. Increases occurred in the number of applicants, average SAT scores, total minority population, geographic diversity and economic diversity. The percentage of students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, average class rank and the number of freshmen accepting their offer to Vanderbilt all continued on an upward trend. The percent admitted continued on a downward trend, decreasing by 37.2 percent over a ten-year period. “We are very proud of the expanding diversity of our incoming class,” said Vice Provost For Enrollment and Dean of Admissions Douglas Christiansen. “Vanderbilt students are truly from all over and now all of these people are in the same classroom together, which makes for a more stimulating academic environment.” According to Christiansen, a top-notch faculty and an engaging learning environment continue to draw prospective students to the University. Additionally, the financial aid program at Vanderbilt allows students with the proper academic skill set to attend the university regardless of their financial situation. “One of the most attractive aspects of Vanderbilt to
By the Numbers
zac hardy/ The Vanderbilt Hustler WRVU student DJ Mikil Taylor and fellow DJ Sarah Taylor put on a radio show at 9:00 on Thursday night from the WRVU station in the bottom of Sarratt on January 15, 2010. Chris mcdonald InsideVandy Director
prospective students is that they see a balance of life here,” Christiansen said. The upward trend in competiveness and academic quality of each incoming class is expected to continue, according to Christiansen. ■
In a surprise move, the Vanderbilt Student Communications Board of Directors has voted to explore putting 91.1 FM up for sale while moving WRVU, Vanderbilt’s student-run radio station, to an onlineonly format. According to the Board’s press release, the decision comes in response to “changing student habits and evolving economic challenges.” In addition, they stated “if the license were to be sold, the proceeds would be used to create an endowment to support innovative student media experiences, facilities and operations at Vanderbilt in perpetuity.” For 57 years, WRVU has served both campus and the rest of middle Tennessee, broadcasting both informational and entertainment programming in a noncommercial, educational setting. Since 1971, WRVU has served as an FM station. In its current format, 91.1 FM broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to the VSC website, WRVU’s signal “reaches all of Davidson County and each of the adjoining counties … (its) broadcast radius equal to approximately 40-45 miles, (and) the station’s programming reaches an estimated 20,000 people each week.” With the Board’s decision, however, WRVU could be absent from the airwaves for the first time since 1953. “Our surveys indicate that each year fewer Vanderbilt students are listening to over-the-air radio,” said Mark Wollaeger, a Vanderbilt professor and chairman of the VSC Board of Directors. “It is time to explore how WRVU could be transformed… in order to keep pace with the times and
anticipate new developments.” While the decision to consider selling frequency itself was seen as unexpected, The Board of Directors opted not to speak with or consult WRVU student leaders before yesterday. Station Manager Mikil Taylor learned of the decision just before an email was sent to all VSC leaders. “Am I completely for it? No. Am I completely against it? No,” Taylor said. “It all depends on the details: How much money VSC gets, and more importantly, how much money WRVU gets.” When asked about the reaction from the WRVU executive staff, Chairman Wollaeger described a scene of “stunned silence” that eventually gave way to generally positive feedback. He explained that the staff sees that “the pros outweigh the cons right now.” Irrespective of the pending decision to sell, VSC is dedicated to further enhancing WRVU’s online programming through new streaming technologies and a variety of newly-developed mobile device apps. Despite their decision, the Board stressed via a press release that, “no immediate decision on the possible sale of the WRVU license is expected.” In the meantime, they invite community members and other interested parties to share comments and feedback for consideration. “I promise that I will personally read ever piece of feedback that is submitted to the board — the opinions of all WRVU e-staff members, DJs, listeners and the Nashville community at large, are extremely important to me and the rest of the board as we move forward,” said Board member Justin Tardiff. “[We’re] extremely committed to ensuring that we make the right decision. ■
radio station sales by other schools Rice University Houston, TX KTRU, $9.5m in 2010 Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN WNAZ, TBA in 2010 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH WVXU, $15m in 2005 St. Olaf College Northfield, MN WCAL, $10.5m in 2004 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD WJHU, $5m in 2001 Hustler editor-in-chief takes issue with WRVU decision on page 4. Students sound off on the exploration of 91.1 sale on page 2..
To comment on the WRVU proposal, go to www.vandymedia.org/ WRVU.