Remote Learning Programmed Differently for CSU Pueblo Radio Station Rev89

Across the nation, college radio stations have simply turned off transmitters and told students the station is off the air indefinitely. This is due to online and distance learning shifts with the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The media communication department of Colorado State University Pueblo looked for ways to engage Rev89, the campus radio station, to continue to play as they say, “the greatest music ever created.”

CSU Pueblo transitioned officially to remote learning on Monday, March 30 but for Rev89 station manager, Jenna Mangino, this shift in radio operations came naturally. Mangino had students begin recording and editing spots for the college radio station weeks ago, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Mangino shared that she has been able to remotely work for quite some time because of an experience six years ago. “One of my students was in a really bad car accident years ago and had to go back home,” said Mangino. “She still wanted to do radio remotely and we wanted to figure out a way to help her do it.  Our incredible support wizard from a company we partner with, made it possible for her to do it and so the system that was created then is what we are using today.”

Students meet for weekly station meetings with the technology of Zoom video conference calls and are able to voice track at home. The digital age is engrained in the department with the resources students have access to complete work.

“I can record my news brief and then send it to Jenna, and then she can program it,” said Luke Siggins, junior media communication major, Rev89 news director and morning show host. “The media comm department took this seriously from the beginning.”

Siggins continues to record his morning show with co-host Seth Six with the help of FaceTime calls and texts to plan content. Siggins and Six have agreed to change content for the morning show while working remotely, including topics about Netflix binging, what award winning book they would write while stuck at home and giving shout outs to essential workers. 

“We want people to know we’re still at home and taking this seriously, but we want some normalcy,” said Siggins. “The show is still happening.”

Kat Howard, senior media communication student at CSU Pueblo and host of weekly “T Wolf Talk” radio show, has been able to continue to interview guests all from a laptop in her home. Through technology like Cleanfeed, a multitrack, multi-party live audio and recording platform Howard interviews guests remotely.

The process includes emailing a link to the guest to simply click and begin speaking through a laptop microphone or cellphone. This also allows for interviews to be recorded and then produced down for programming and aired on Sunday morning for the scheduled show time at 7 a.m.

Sunday, March 29 Howard hosted, Carol Daugherty, Director of the Wolfpack Wellness Center and Student Health Services at CSU Pueblo, to speak about safety, prevention, and updates on coronavirus.

Sunday, April 5 Howard hosted President of CSU Pueblo, Timothy Mottet, to speak about campus impacts and university decisions regarding coronavirus. 

Rev89 is a non-commercial educational radio station licensed by the FCC that functions as a laboratory tool for students of the media communication department. Rev89 has been serving the Southern Colorado region since 1970. 

To access Rev89 you can search on any device that streams podcasts for your favorite shows including T Wolf Talk or tune in locally in Pueblo at 89.5FM.  For morning information about Rev89 and getting involved, please contact station manager, Jenna Mangino, at jenna.mangino@csupueblo.edu or by visiting https://www.csupueblo.edu/mass-communications/labs/rev-89.html