WOUB Center For Public Media at Ohio University will be reducing its budget for student jobs by half, despite an exemption from university budget cuts this year.
WOUB will lose $159,248 in university funding next year, in addition to an estimated $894,500 in external funding. It also faces increased programming fees from stations like NPR and PBS, which add up to $207,700.
WOUB provides jobs for about 300 students, many from PACE and work study programs, said Carolyn Lewis, director of WOUB. Most students employed by WOUB are volunteers, she said, though she couldn't say how many are paid.
The budget for those student jobs has been cut in half, from $168,000 to $84,000, effectively cutting the number of paid students, she said, though she could not project the exact number of paid jobs that would be lost because the length and need for those jobs varies.
WOUB employs four professional staff members who train about 130 students each for news programs. About eight general television and radio staff are available to advise students. With the elimination of six other full-time equivalent positions, those staff members will have to double up
Lewis said, taking more shifts to allow students to get the help they need.
Despite the decrease in funding, fundraising is succeeding, Lewis said, adding that radio fund drives have been meeting goals. Television fundraising is down about 40 percent, but underwriting on local shows has been exceeding goals.
Chief Content Officer Mark Brewer said in the planning for decreased funding, programming was retained as much as possible because it is one of WOUB's core services.
WOUB will also be offering eligible employees early retirement options, and leaving the positions of chief technology officer and producer/director vacant next year. The duties of these positions will be divided among other employees. 1
News
Jessica Blakely
