The proposal said the Drake University Board of Governors should be the licensee and that, at least in the beginning, the station should operate using the equipment in Meredith Hall. Cost estimates were also included. She presented this information at the cabinet meeting. It's an exciting educational and community relations opportunity for Drake, and I do hope that we'll be able to make it happen. Not only do the president and his cabinet agree with the idea to pursue a station, but Student Senate also encourages it.
Funding seems to be one of the biggest problems so far.
Maxwell suggested that start-up funds might come from alumni in the radio or TV business. Also, while LPFM stations are not commercial stations, they can underwrite part of the programming, meaning that the station is sponsored for some period of time by a company. However, the possibility of obtaining a LPFM station has been thrown into question. The National Association of Broadcasters lobbied and, as of March 6, claimed to have 133 cosponsors, including Rep. Greg Ganske of Iowa's 4th district and Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa's 5th district. A related bill, S.2060, has been introduced in the Senate.