Board Blog: CBI Resources

During this difficult time, as we are all operating under circumstances no one could have truly predicted, know that College Broadcasters Inc. and its board of directors are working hard to help our members and all college broadcasters. If you are not yet on the CBI listserv https://www.askcbi.org/resources/e-mail-lists/, I encourage you to join today. There have been great discussions concerning the issues we are facing today, “from media outlets losing access to their facilities to being told to stop production entirely.” I have gleaned much useful information from our myriad group of listserv members to help me with my radio station.

In addition to the listserv, I hope that you were able to join us for the Zoom meeting that included attorney David Oxenford talking about FCC expectations during this time. If you haven’t seen this yet, you can access it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr6DIBfi3G4&feature=youtu.be The bottom line of David’s discussion is that all FCC requirements remain in effect even with FCC employees working from home. This includes the upcoming posting of the January to March Issues and Programs Report, airing required pre and post license filing announcements for those in the middle of license renewal and more. 

At this time, CBI is moving forward with our plans for the National Student Production Awards and the National Student Electronic Media Convention in October. We opened the awards submissions early due to the events unfolding around us. As you communicate with your students, be sure to ask them to start putting together their entries. For me, as no students are allowed on campus, this will mean they tell me what they want to enter into the contest, and I will package it for them. We encourage you to help enter your student’s best work as we want to ensure that the top talent is recognized in our numerous categories.

As for the 2020 National Student Electronic Media Convention in Baltimore Oct. 21-24, we are moving ahead with every expectation that this will happen as scheduled. Most experts say that we should expect our current coronavirus restrictions to last weeks or a few months at most. By the time October rolls around, everyone will be ready for another great convention with presentations by professionals, students and advisors. As you think about the convention, now is a great time to work with your students on what sessions they, and you, would like to propose as we are accepting session proposals at askcbi.org. 

As I write this letter, the board is working on online virtual town halls with experts and attorneys that will cover issues of importance to you. We also want to hear from you about what CBI can do to support you, your stations and media outlets. Together, we will get through this.

The CBI board wants you and your staff to stay safe and healthy during this time and we look forward to the time things return to normal.