Because of the high costs involved in moving the College's radio station's extensive equipment, the radio station will remain in its second-and-third floor offices while renovations on Robinson Hall displace other student organizations.
"Originally we had hoped to move everyone out of the building. However, the cost of relocating the radio station to a temporary location was not cost-effective," said Jack Wilson, associate director of facilities planning.
Wilson said the costs involved in finding the radio station another home on campus and then moving its equipment would be much higher than renovating around the radio station.
Wilson also said relocating the radio station could violate Federal Communications licensing agreement, which require the station to continue programming at all times without going off the air.
But Philip Augur '96, general manager of the radio station, said if the radio did temporarily sign-off, no fines would be levied if the FCC received proper notification about the construction.
Augur said the FCC issue did not surface during planning the renovations. It was just a matter of finding the most cost-effective way of operating the radio station during renovation, Augur said.
Wilson said construction will accommodate the daily programming of the radio station.
The renovations may cause the radio station to be "inconvenienced a little," Wilson said.
But he said the College will try hard to "maintain the power source without any disconnection to the radio station."
Wilson said much of the radio station's equipment will be replaced during reconstruction.
After the renovation, the entire radio station will be located on the third floor, Wilson said. New digital equipment will be purchased to replace the analog equipment currently in use, he said.
Wilson said the radio station will also have more floor space and new studios.
