Most tangible benefit for Miami

I'm writing to offer my thoughts in the hopes that they will be added to [the committee's] other 'citizen' input. The point is of a general nature, as opposed to a specific suggestion, request, etc.

During this past Spring Fund Drive, I was very concerned to hear about how Miami has reduced its funding for the operation of WMUB. With the amount of money at hand for the university, it seems incredible to me that using a relatively small amount to ensure the continued viability of WMUB could not be arranged. WMUB is perhaps the most tangible benefit the university offers to the greater community (in the tri-state area) and, to me, should be recognized as a sacred responsibility. Aside from the marketing benefits such programming provides the university, it also provides invaluable information to our local society and beyond - not only in keeping the public informed as only public radio can and does, but also in helping raise the level of awareness about issues on so many fronts. If the university is experiencing particularly pressing financial constraints, then I would strongly urge that other internal priorities be adjusted, posponed or re-considered in deference to the critical importance of WMUB's outward responsibility and role. If there must be sacrifices, then perhaps reducing WMUB's high definition services would be in order, for example, since such a service is able to be used by only a small portion of the listening public.

Again, I would like to emphasize how I think the university should take its responsibility (to provide public radio to the general public) with extreme seriousness, and thus will renew a commitment absolutely as ironclad as providing quality education for its students. The value, and need, for WMUB, NPR, etc. is too critical to even consider challenging. I hope you will focus exclusively on expanding WMUB's public service potential, rather than diminishing it in any way.

--Dave Christman 

P.S.: To the general public, the issue is not a question of the multitudinous funds available to the university, but most definitely of priorities.  This was what I hope will be a primary issue of consideration in your deliberations.