Stop the secret deal to buy KTRU 91.7 fm
This petition is for everyone who disagrees with the secret process by which the University of Houston, in cooperation with KUHF, recently agreed to purchase the broadcast tower and FCC license of KTRU 91.7 fm from Rice University. This deal would mean the end of KTRU, which for the past four decades has been broadcasting eclectic, independent, and local music not found anywhere else on the fm dial. This process never allowed for student input or a public discussion of the important issues involved in this permanent change to the Houston radio landscape. We urge UH to re-evaluate their decision and to restore openness and transparency to the university administration.
We, the undersigned, are opposed to the secret process by which the administration of the University of Houston agreed to buy the broadcast tower and operating license of KTRU 91.7 fm from Rice University. KTRU is a 50,000 watt, educationally-licensed, student-run station that broadcasts eclectic and local music not heard anywhere else on the Houston airwaves. By voting to authorize the purchase of KTRU without informing students or the general public prior to the vote, we believe that the UH Board of Regents failed in its responsibility as the governing body of a public institution to keep the community informed of important university decisions. We believe this sets a dangerous precedent for a public, state-supported university, one that marginalizes the opinions of students, alumni, and other community members. We call on the University of Houston to restore openness and transparency to the university administration by ending all negotiations with Rice University for the purchase of KTRU. We strongly believe that this decision requires an appropriate period for public review and discussion, one in which all concerned individuals have the opportunity to have their voices heard.
