WUGA-FM Radio collection, 1997-2016

Summary

Creator:
WUGA (Radio station : Athens, Ga.)
Date:
1997-2016
Extent:
2 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

WUGA-FM Radio collection, UA0096, University Archives, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of African Perspectives radio scripts from 1997-2016.

Biographical / historical:

The idea for a university radio station at UGA began when the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education completed construction, financed by a grant from the W. K. Kellog Foundation, and room 151 was designated as a radio room. The plans for a radio station were set aside and it was not until the second W. K. Kellog Foundation grant was received in 1984 that specific funds were designated for a public radio station. On September 1, 1986, WUGA became an entity and a year later WUGA radio station went on the air on August 28, 1987 and operated under the auspices of the Gerogia Center for Continuing Education. The station continued to grow until 2002 when budget cuts forced the elimination of the news magazine and a decrease in staff. In 2004 the Georgia Center found it impossible to continue funding WUGA. The University's Office of Public Affairs stepped in and assumed responsibility for the radio station. In 2008 the university acquired the commercial tv station in Toccoa, GA, WNEG, but due to the economic downturn, it was not feasible to operate the tv station as a commercial venture. Negotiations between UGA and GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting) resulted in WUGA-TV being licensed to UGA and operated by GPB; the radio station, now WUGA-FM, continues to be licensed by GPB's parent authority, the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission, and operated by UGA. The radio and television stations were combined into a single operation though in 2014 they still occupied separate facilities.

Access and use restrictions

Restrictions:

Though this collection is open for research, the audiovisual recordings are in their original format and often do not have copies available for public use. One can make a request for a public use copy but the ability to convert an item is dependent upon the format and condition of the recording.

Preferred citation:

WUGA-FM Radio collection, UA0096, University Archives, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.