WUOGoof up costly

The campus radio station’s slip up is being paid for by student activity fees

WUOG, the on-campus radio station, has to renew its permanent license and the monetary burden – to the tune of $7,000 – will come from the pockets of students.

Running on a temporary license since it was shut down by the FCC in March 2005 because it didn’t file a license renewal in 2004, 90.5 FM WUOG now owes the FCC a substantial amount of money for not filing for a permanent license and operating without authorization for one year.

Erika Frank, the station’s general manager, claims, “This was not WUOG’s fault. The renewal was filed online, but a button to save it wasn’t hit, and a blank document was sent to the FCC.”

But wait – whose job was it to hit “save”? It certainly isn’t the FCC’s job to hold broadcasters’ hands throughout the form filing process. WUOG didn’t file the necessary paperwork; it filed a blank page. That’s a mistake, plain and simple – a mistake made by WUOG.

While student activities fees are utilized for maintenance and construction on campus, we on The Red & Black’s Editorial Board don’t understand why the student population will be pinched for the error of a student-run organization, and how WUOG merits more money than other organizations, like club sports.

Seven thousand dollars may seem like a drop in the student activity fees bucket, but we feel that this money could go toward an organization that students could get their money’s worth from.

WUOG may have its own loyal following, but we think we’d be hard-pressed to find a large-enough audience that’d be willing to fork up enough cash for the station’s license, let alone listen to the station’s playlist of obscure music.

For the ladies

The Red & Black is happy to remind you March is Women’s History Month

If last night’s premiere of America’s Next Top Model got your estrogen flowing, you’ll love the next few weeks.

Today marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, a 31-day celebration of all things female. The Institute for Women’s Studies has a long lineup of events planned throughout March, including speakers, round table discussions and a film festival.

The highlight of the schedule is the keynote address given by Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. The speech will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in 101 Student Learning Center.

It might be a mere coincidence, but Women’s History Month overlaps with the sale of everyone’s (non-women included) favorite baked goods – Girl Scout Cookies.

So grab a box of Samoas or Thin Mints and celebrate the historical struggle for women’s empowerment with one of the many educational programs found on campus this March.

When you’ve got a chance, give the women in your life some deserved appreciation. After all, where would we as species be without them?

Oh, right – extinct.

For more information and a list of events, go to www.uga.edu/iws.