Quinnipiac University plans to shut down its two-decade-old community radio station in June.
On Friday afternoon, Quinnipiac Vice President for Public Affairs Lynn Bushnell announced the imminent closure of the station, WQUN, which first went on the air in 1997 at 1220 on the AM dial.
“To shift resources to more closely match the ever-changing needs and interests of our students,” Bushnell wrote, “and to better prepare them for future employment opportunities, we will cease operations of AM-1220 WQUN, the university’s Greater New Haven community radio station, on June 30, 2019. The building and property on Whitney Avenue will be retained and repurposed as part of the strategic planning process.”
Click here to read the full letter.
Bushnell wrote that, when WQUN first launched two decades ago, it was used as a training ground for students interested in developing their broadcasting skills in anticipation of a future job in the radio industry.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, the entire radio industry, AM in particular, has seen tectonic change,” she wrote. “The number of students who even consider a career in radio, or who want to intern at WQUN-AM has declined sharply, prompting the university to re-examine the prudence of continuing to operate a community radio station.”
After 22 Years, Quinnipiac to Silence Commercial Station and Community Voice, AM1220 WQUN
Last Friday, Quinnipiac University announced plans to close AM1220 WQUN, effective June 30th, citing the need "to shift resources to more closely match the ever-changing needs and interests of our students." The university, however, did not provide further details on student internship trends at the station—past and present. Presumably, one of the core skills students crafted at the station over the past two decades was good writing. It strikes me that good writing, particularly in radio where words must convey images and action, is a special skill that is valued in any industry.
Since its founding in 1997, AM1220 has evolved into a successful commercial and community station with a loyal audience that extends well beyond the Hamden-North Haven-New Haven corridor to the Connecticut shoreline. The small, dedicated team at the station has pioneered a market-tested formula that blends hyper-local news with classical pop and public-affairs programming.
More importantly, AM1220 has given a platform—a voice to thousands of local government officials, business executives, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and civic leaders on matters critical to the communities where they live, work, and serve.
If Quinnipiac University seeks to build on the successes of former President, John Lahey, it can start by reassessing the wisdom of its decision to shutter AM1220 WQUN and, in effect, deny communities a voice.
Lew Nescott, Jr.
Washington, D.C.
Lew Nescott, Jr. is a 30-year resident of Hamden and founder of Noessis Political Risk Consultants. A long-standing member of the Hamden Regional Chamber Commerce and past sponsor of 'Friday Morning Marketplace' on AM1220 WQUN, he is currently on a one-year assignment in Washington, D.C.