For Immediate Release
Contact: Wayne Wenske, Divisional Communications Coordinator, (512) 232-4687

UT Student Radio KVRX-FM 91.7 Fills Programming Gap Left by KOOP-FM

(01/22/08, Austin, TX) In the aftermath of the January 6 fire that took Austin’s community radio station KOOP-FM 91.7 off the air, student radio station KVRX-FM is filling the programming gap and remaining on the air 24-hours-a-day. Normally, KVRX, which shares the 91.7 designation with KOOP, is on the air 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. However, as the police investigation continues into the cause of the KOOP fire, student workers have rallied to support KVRX’s new, but temporary, status as a 24-hour provider of radio programming.

“I knew we could do it, but it was tough at first,” says Stephanie Bonham, student manager of KVRX-FM. “When the fire happened, a lot of students had not yet returned to campus from the holiday and we were short handed. The students that were back were happy to help out and pull double duty to make sure the station was up and running. We now have over a hundred student volunteers to help, so we’ll be okay.” KVRX, a part of Texas Student Media at The University of Texas at Austin, is programmed and managed by student workers.

Until the investigation into the fire is closed, KOOP employees are unable to enter their offices and studios. KOOP is expected to be off the air for the next few weeks. Bonham states that KOOP management contacted Texas Student Media to ask them to take on KOOP’s air time. “When something like this happens, it reminds us, as students, the role we play in the community,” says Bonham. “It’s our duty to both help our colleagues at KOOP and to be there for Austin listeners.”

“I’m incredibly impressed with the student workers at KVRX,” says Juan González, vice president for Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. “They’ve shown great dedication to their work, to their station and to Austin audiences by stepping up their efforts. I thank each of them for their service to our Austin community.”

“KVRX has tried to mirror some of the programming KOOP listeners expect to find during their regularly scheduled times. For example, KOOP has a Jamaican Gold show on Sunday mornings playing reggae and ska. We’ve programmed our own Jamaican show in its place,” says Bonham. “We’re trying hard to not disappoint listeners, to uphold the consistency of the programming and to expose listeners to some programming of our own.”

The slogan for KVRX FM is “None of the hits, all of the time,” reflecting its eclectic, alternative programming to allow listeners an opportunity to discover new music while giving new artists an opportunity to be heard. KVRX features a wide mix of genres in its playlist, including hip-hop, blues, jazz, folk, country, techno and metal.
Texas Student Media is a component of the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. This division, led by Juan C. González, vice president for Student Affairs, provides a network of programs and services designed to complement the academic mission of the university and to support students on their path towards accomplishing their own individual goals.

More information:
• KVRX-FM 91.7: http://www.kvrx.org/
• KOOP-FM 91.7: http://koop.org/
• Texas Student Media: http://www.tsp.utexas.edu/
• Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs: http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa