Let’s not give up on WNUR.

For a few years now, it seems as if the commitment to WNUR by those with the privilege of station leadership has declined. The very recent problems — dead air, no transmissions, no backup programing (Zetta), equipment malfunctions and lack of repairs — and the tolerance of these issues and lack of official communication about them — are all deeply concerning. This used to be one of the nation’s best and award-winning student-run radio stations — and a university of Northwestern’s reputation deserves nothing less. There needs to be a serious conversation with the right people —students, staff, on-air hosts, university administration — on the status of WNUR and its future.

For those of us who give our time, energy and passion (and donations) because we believe in the power of music, expression and community to help heal a fracturing world, if only in one- or two-hour moments, we are grieving.

Let’s not give up on WNUR. The world needs us more than ever.

Please get WNUR back on the air and figure out how to run it (and staff it) consistently and reliably.

Geoffrey