The small WRUB studio in Fillmore of the Ellicott Complex is surrounded by a swirl of vinyl records and a multicolored wall bursting with CDs. Off to the side, on a simple table, sits a computer, soundboard and microphone - the essential instruments needed to broadcast music to the UB student body day and night.
Looking to expand and get more students to tune in, WRUB has plans to add to their student staff this semester and expand programming.
Playing everything from hip-hop, punk, reggae and rock, students at WRUB are also expanding their auditory play list to include more selections of local bands, loud rock and Latin music coverage.
Students can listen via campus cable on channel seven, or online at www.subboard.com/new_wrub.
"We offer music that is not really played that much in Buffalo," said senior political science major Dave Garcia, the Latin music director. "More hip-hop and R&B."
In addition to the music, WRUB offers listeners a smorgasbord of radio shows to chose from. With a projected minimum of six to seven shows on the menu per day, running seven days a week, students can tune into everything from live broadcasts of UB sporting events, Sex Talk, the UB version of the Howard Stern Show and cultural shows.
"The Chinese Student Association does a show all in Chinese, and Dave wants to do a show all in Spanish," said WRUB's general manager Juanita Hong, a senior communication and psychology major. "We're trying to diversify the station because in reality UB is a diverse place."
For song requests, students can contact the station directly to request music or send an instant message to the screen name WRUBreq.
With the help of DJ 3000, a program that allows the station to play continual music even when the DJs are not in the studio, there is a constant stream of music 24 hours a day.
In addition, be on the look out for the WRUB Street Team. Traveling around campus, the team hands out t-shirts, gift certificates, posters, CDs, wristbands and other freebie goodies to promote awareness of the station.
"We're trying to do dining hall events and give out prizes based on the show," said junior urban planning major Kye Bayne, WRUB's promotions director. "We also want to do prizes depending on location, such as the Student Union."
A non-profit organization, the majority of the station's funding comes from Sub-Board I, Inc.
With the freedom to function as an independent station, Hong emphasized this allows for many options for those who want to take an active role in WRUB and be rewarded for it.
"We have a lot of opportunities for students," Hong said. "We have a big advantage because no other radio stations are student run."
Open to all students who have a passion for music and want to become actively involved, WRUB offers a chance to gain hands-on experience with sponsor underwriting, promotions or DJ work.
"Even though it's a student radio station, we run it like a real radio station," Bayne said.
As an extra perk, Sub-Board also offers internship credit and student directors receive a stipend.
With their sights set on getting the word out to as many students as possible, the station will be holding a WRUB Day on Nov. 15 in the Student Union, and a WRUB Top 40 day to be held in the spring. The events will have games, prizes and food.
"We want to reach out to as many students as possible interested in radio," Hong said. "This is the place to be."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
