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Program Platform Statement

Purposes

  • To showcase YSU programs, people and opportunities for the purpose of developing a public awareness of YSU as a desirable choice for basic college education and for lifelong learning.
  • To provide significant broadcast production/performance opportunities for students who major in Telecommunication Studies.

    Standards

    Standards for content will be apropos a university: intellectually superior and not profane.
    Standards for production will be those of the contemporary broadcast industry at the local level.

    Outcomes

  • The success of this program will not be measured by broadcast ratings. Two alternative measures will be used:
    1. the central administration agrees that the program-as-product is well designed and well executed, that it's a good reflection of YSU's intended image, and
    2. the telecommunication faculty agrees that the program-as-process is a good teaching/learning venue for students.
  • An additional consideration is whether the program represents an effective use of university or department resources.

    Program Platform Guidelines

    Student Participation

  • The show will be produced by Telecommunication Studies majors.
  • Students are expected to act and generate productions up to local broadcast quality and standards.
  • It is recognized there may be some mistakes, however, students will be instructed to do over projects that are not air quality.
    Students will be responsible for:
    1. Generating story leads (Leads will also be provided by the senior producer, assignment editor, or other students)
    2. Conducting interviews
    3. Recording natural sound
    4. Writing scripts
    5. Producing segments and profiles
    6. Updating musical transitions

    Entertainment

  • While the show will not be music, but rather talk, intensive, it still should be developed and produced in such a fashion that would attract and keep listeners.
  • There will also be a weekly Entertainment Report to handle the large amount of entertainment that occurs on campus weekly.
    1. Music should be upbeat; mid-high energy.
    2. Announcer voices should project excitement, energy.
    3. Interview actualities should not be longer than (:60), but may if it is called for.
    4. Produced segments/profiles should not be dated beyond the current quarter.
    5. Writing should be clear and concise.

    Political & Controversial Issues

  • Since one of the primary goals of the show is to showcase YSU, issues of a political or controversial nature generally should not be on the show. However, issues that need explanation or clarification of YSU decisions that would affect the general non-YSU public should be aired with both sides of any controversy receiving fair and equitable coverage.

    Sports

  • While sports is recognized as an integral part of YSU, the show itself will not turn into a sports interview show.
  • Athletic aspects of YSU will be part of a weekly feature called the Weekly Penguin Rewind.

    Public Accountability

  • Since the show is aired on federally licensed commercial broadcast stations, the show's contents will subscribe to current FCC and other regulatory guidelines on program content.
  • The Executive Producer will ultimately be responsible for all program content.

    Production Schedule

  • The following production schedule will be strictly enforced.
    1. Story leads should be continuously submitted to the Producer.
    2. Story leads will be continuously assigned to students by the Producer.
    3. The Show will be produced by 3 PM Friday.
    4. The Show will be delivered to radio stations by 5PM Friday.
    5. The Show will air on stations as announced.

    YSU NOW POLICIES

    Equipment Use

  • There are a limited number of portable recorders, microphones, and adapters for use by YSU NOW students. These can be checked out from Bliss 2100.
  • They will only be released when you are ready to use them and must be returned upon completion of the recording. Cassette tapes are available in Bliss 2100 from the lab assistant.

  • The telephone in Bliss 2103 can be used for campus calls only.
  • The phone is patched into the console for recording interviews on tape. This interview procedure should only be used as a last resort since the quality is generally less acceptable than a tape-recorded interview in person.

    Organizational Structure

  • The Executive Producer is the Telecom Faculty in charge of the show.
  • The Executive Producer is ultimately responsible for YSU NOW content. The EP is responsible for the implementation of these policies and the production of YSU NOW.
  • The YSU Now News Editor will be the Promotions & YSU Liaison and will help in story leads and contacts as well as promotional ideas for YSU NOW.
  • The Director/Manager positions will be held by qualified YSU students.
  • Each of these positions will report to the Executive Producer and will be responsible for supervising students who are assisting in these areas.
  • All students who wish to be considered for a managerial position must have successfully completed TCOM 682 and TCOM 683 with a grade of C or better and have served at least one quarter on the YSU NOW staff. Other students may be considered if there are openings and if they have "earned" the right to be considered (by their previous volunteer efforts). These positions include (subject to revision):

    Senior Producer

  • The Senior Producer is responsible for writing the show script; coordinating the show production with the host and producers; producing the show; dubbing the show; getting the show to distribution. The Senior Producer will have served at least one quarter as a producer.

    Production Director

  • The Production Director will be the person who is responsible for the overall production quality of show; production of PSAs; production of music themes; assisting in production of stories. The director will also keep a database of PSA use in the show and for fair coverage of all YSU segments. Assignments will be made periodically to keep existing PSAs updated and to develop new PSAs. The Production Director will also assist the Senior Producer in producing stories for each week's show.

    • Assignment Editor

  • The Assignment Editor will generate story ideas for YSU NOW, assign these ideas to the Team Leader and student assistants, and keep track of story progress until the story is accepted by the Executive Producer. The editor will also maintain a database of story contacts. The assignment editor will also assist the EP in screening stories for each week's show.

    Talent

  • The talent for the show will be selected by the Executive Producer. Students wishing to be the YSU NOW host or who wish to voice feature segments and profiles must audition. Audition times will be announced at the beginning of each quarter. Ideally, there should be at least five voices (one for each story/show plus host) in use at all times.

    • Web Master

  • The Web Master will be responsible for maintaining and updating the YSU NOW web page (http://cc.ysu.edu/ysunow). This includes creating new links and updating weekly links (show content, show scripts, trivia question). The Web Master will consult with the EP weekly to get the necessary information.

    Student Assistants

  • Any other student working with YSU NOW in any particular quarter who is not a director, manager, or talent will be considered a student assistant. The assistants will be asked to first assist the director in the area that interests them the most. As the quarter progresses, the assistant should voluntarily shift to other directors to gain additional experience and see if a different position might be more to their liking. Each assistant will also be expected to produce stories or gather information/audio when assigned by the Assignment Editor and Team Leader.

    Duties and Responsibilities

  • Until a "bank" of stories is available, each YSU NOW student assistant will be expected to produce stories. In fact, those students who are out getting the stories and putting forth the effort will be those who will be more likely "rewarded" with one of the director/manager positions and other announced incentives.
  • Each quarter, those students who have completed both TCOM 682 and TCOM 683 with a C or better by the previous quarter will be required to work with the YSU NOW team for the succeeding quarter. Those students wishing further experience in radio production will want to stay with the team for as many quarters as possible and serve in the various director positions.

    Story Submission

  • After a story is assigned the story producer should stay in constant touch with the Team Leader, Assignment Editor, Production Director, and Senior Producer for further ideas and feedback on the story progress.
  • Here are some basic guidelines for story creation:
    1. Stories should not be dated. In other words, refrain from mentioning dates or events more than three months old. Each story should be able to air in the quarter in which it is produced.
    2. The research and editing segments will be the most time consuming parts of the process. Allow plenty of time for both.
    3. Always keep your eyes and ears open (literally) for story ideas. Bring all forms of YSU junk mail, flyers, etc. to the Assignment Editor's attention. Listen to professor's announcements of activities or events. Even though YSU NOW isn't covering breaking stories the natural sound generated from a current event on campus can still be used in a future story.
    4. Even though your voice may not be used in the show, practice announcing the story in the studio for pronunciation and timing purposes. You can then fine tune the script for the announcer and it will also give you practice to pass those auditions.
    5. Be ready with Plan B. Your interview/contact may not be available. Your recorder batteries may die (did you bring the AC adapter?). Your tape may run out (did you bring some extra tape?). Be ready for anything to happen.
  • Additional guidelines may be added.

    • Audition Procedures

  • If a new host needs to be selected for a quarter than auditions will be held during finals week of the preceeding quarter.
  • Producers may audition at any time during a quarter to have their voice cleared for voicing stories. Reserve a time in the audio labs to record your audition.
  • The lab assistant will have the scripts for you to announce.
  • Please practice beforehand. Do not edit your audition. When you are ready to record just read through it once. You may re-record the entire audition if you wish.
  • Record on cassette. Turn in the cassette to the Producer or the lab assistant.
  • Subsequent auditions may be required if there are a lot of choices.

  • Again, anybody who wants their voice on-the-air, whether as host or story announcer, must audition. Students who have previously auditioned need not unless they are applying for the host position.

    • Representation of Self & YSU

  • As a YSU NOW member you are representing a variety of interests: the University, the college, the department, and the Producer, as well as yourself.
  • Identify yourself as an assistant producer of YSU NOW.
  • Always thank people for their time.
  • If anybody wishes to know the questions before the interview you can offer them a list of general areas to be discussed. Giving them the exact questions you will ask will spoil the spontaneity of their answers (explain this to them if necessary).

    The above policies are subject to constant revision. Last updated 3/12/00.