Originally published October 19, 2000
by Adam Zurn

It is now eight weeks into the school year and MU Cable is struggling to run anything on consecutive days. So far this year, we have seen Campus News, Icthus, a soccer game, and a few projects from a TV-1 class.

Why hasn't anything else been put on the air? Last year and even in the old days when shows were filmed in Gaige, there was a multitude of different shows broadcasted every day on a wide range of topics from The Goth Show to Incredible Amounts of Sports. Granted, these shows weren't always of the highest quality. They were raw, unrehearsed and often unedited. Don't get us wrong, these are good things, all hallmarks of college television.

College media isn't always supposed to be polished or mainstream. This is what makes it so popular among college students. We're tired of the same old formula plots and television gimmicks.

This season, the only show of any quality is Icthus. This religious program has a professional look and has run smoothly. Not to mention, they have had more than one episode which is more than most shows can boast.

Unfortunately for MU Cable different departments on campus have different ideas of what they want WCMU to be. Too many chiefs, not enough warriors. The other media groups on campus such as WIXQ, Touchstone, and The Snapper are lucky enough to be relativity independent. This can be good and bad. Good in the sense that we have the latitude to push the envelope to try different things. Bad in the sense that we have the latitude to push the envelope to try different things. Sometimes when you push too hard you make a mistake. But making a mistake can be good because odds are you won't make that same mistake again later when it counts.

Of course, all of the campus media do have one important thing in common. Each medium, despite having faculty advisors, is run by the students. We take pride in that. We should relish the opportunities we have to work with good equipment and hone our craft.

Supposedly, before a program goes on MU Cable, it has to be reviewed by a member of the faculty in the Communication and Theatre department. The powers that be have decided they only want a limited number of shows on WCMU this season. Their hope is to "bring the quality up." We're left wondering, what sacrifices are being made to bring up the quality? A limited number of shows mean a limited number of students are allowed to participate. A limited number of students mean that if some student has a killer idea for a show, it may never see the light of day.

Other schools in the state system have had their campus media up and running for quite some time. In fact, at a recent MU football game, Shippensburg University had their campus TV station covering the game while WCMU was noticeably absent.

There is no reason why WCMU should be as far behind schedule as it is. We understand that there have been recent changes regarding leadership of the station. Transition is often difficult. However, after eight weeks there should be some consistent programming. This is not meant as an attack upon WCMU but a prod for the faculty in charge to give the control back to the students.

MU Cable has the potential to be an influential medium on this campus. We hope the current state of affairs in the organization passes, and that WCMU can reach their potential as a viable member of campus media.