Suffolk Free Radio Turns 60

What was life like 60 years ago? Well, it was 1949, and things were certainly different than they were today. There was no such thing as The Internet, the Red Sox had gone only 31 years without a title win, and the world was still recovering from World War II.

At Suffolk University, 1949 was the birth of what is today known as Suffolk Free Radio, the college's student run radio station. The station was founded by alumni Richard Strunsky, who came to Suffolk University to be a faculty advisor in 1949. For the early years of radio, the station was able to broadcast over Boston's airwaves for a 15-minute show. This length soon increased to 30 minutes, and these segments were broadcast weekly.

In the 1970s, the radio station became a campus-only affair and it was aired on a closed circuit channel. Finally, in 2000, the station was registered to broadcast online by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, and the Student Activities Office and Suffolk's administration aided in this move. It is here that we come to the 2009 edition of Suffolk Free Radio. SFR is in basic terms a radio station that is for the students, and run by the students. Senior Amanda Rosenblatt oversees the club as its GM. Anyone can sign up for a one-hour show slot, and the station does not limit DJs to communications majors.

"I joined up because my friends were there, friends from all different academic aspects -- Biology, English, Psychology and Communications," said Meagan Damore, "It's a community where we can be heard, which has a bunch of leadership opportunities and allows its members to feel like they're making a difference, whether it is for Suffolk or for Boston in general (like for service day). It's a great place to hang out and meet people."

The actual SFR station, which is located on the 4th floor of the Donahue building, broadcasts over the Internet through Windows Media Player. The link to hear the radio is posted on SFR's website, which is http://www.suffolk.edu/radio. The radio station consists of a room where E-Board members can use computers and manage the radio's daily affairs, and the actual room where shows are broadcast to the greater public. This room contains various means by which the students can broadcast their music (an Ipod jack, computer with Itunes, CD players), as well as thousands of CDs from which the DJs can choose to use on their own program.

Currently, there are over 60 different slot times each week, and they go Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m, with an hour slot left blank at 1 p.m. on Thursdays for the club's weekly general members meeting. As of right now for the Fall Semester, SFR GM Amanda Rosenblatt has reported that 40 people have signed up to become DJs. Each DJ is limited to a one-hour time slot, but they may do whatever they wish with their allotted time. SFR shows can range from music only, to political talk shows, to even sports talk.

"DJ-ing is like a retreat for me. I love it," said DJ Cassie Clarke. "It's the one slot in my week where I get to choose whatever sounds to blast against, or to the other beats of my day...or anyone else's that's tuned in to listen with some requests. Not to mention a free selection to the newest tracks at the station, which is great for promoting new tastes and deepening old ones...plus, I get to broadcast from a spinning chair, and there are very few things in life more enjoyable than spinning chairs I'm afraid."

However no matter what type of program a DJ does, there are some universal rules that must be followed for each show. The station receives many new music CDs that are released, and DJs are required to play three new music tracks each hour. Also, they must read two public service announcements. These PSAs can be about any Suffolk club or organization that wants to advertise themselves or their events over the airwaves. Finally, since SFR is an FCC regulated station, any songs played must contain no swears or profanities. This also goes for the banter of the host and his or her guests.

In addition to having radio shows for students, SFR also does many things for on-campus events. They are able to host and DJ certain things for free, such as student fairs and orientations, and other club events if requested. Also, the members have worked behind the scenes tirelessly in order to help prepare for the big fall semester show, such as Jason Mraz last year and Gym Class Heroes the year previous.

In looking toward the future, SFR has many goals for the coming year, according to Rosenblatt. They are currently in the process of obtaining a new server, called Live365, which would provide better technology for the station and a smooth way for DJs to transmit their shows over the Internet. Also, they hope to host more outside events with other clubs and non-SFR members. Some examples include potential video game tournaments with another Suffolk club, the Video Gamer's Army (VGA), and having guest speakers come in to talk.

According to GM Rosenblatt, these events would, "increase awareness of our group and provide a more social atmosphere for members to network."

There are also opportunities for new students to become interns at the station and perform different tasks. These options allow for the students to gain experience and add another extracurricular activity to their resume.

Said Rosenblatt, "SFR is not only an amazing student club, but it is also a chance to gain real life experience in broadcast media and a gateway to make an amazing group of friends. My friends at SFR got me through my last two years of college and the accomplishments I have achieved from the group will help me out in the "real world" when I graduate this May."

For the fall semester, there will be a new GM in charge of the station, Angelo Leone. His E-Board, which is subject to change before next year, will consist of David Fritzson (Tech Manager), Teresa McMahon (PR and Promotions), Sean Broskie (Events Director), Meagan Damore (Financial Director), Jennifer Solomon (Music Director), and Coleman Concannon (Station Facilitator). Current GM Rosenblatt is very confident in these selections, and she is graduating this year with a hope to have a career either behind the scenes in film or radio. Though Suffolk Free Radio may just sound like a place where people can play their own music to many others, it is definitely more than that, says Rosenblatt. It is a place where people of any background or major can come to share their taste in music and many other things.

"It's a place to socialize and to gain experience," said Concannon. "I think of SFR as my school. The friends and the fun, that's where it happens. It's more than a club and it's more than a job."

"To me, Suffolk Free Radio has been a place full of opportunity," said Fritzon. "We have made such a huge positive change in just this semester alone through hard work, dedication, and a plethora of new students coming in who love music just as much as we do. It's becoming more and more of an open environment where just about anyone is welcome to be a DJ. We have people with majors from Theater to Biology, Public Relations to Physics, showing that as long as you love music, you're always welcome to stop by"

"SFR has always and will always have my unquestionable support," said Leone.

It is clear from talking to its members that Suffolk Free Radio is a major part of many peoples' lives, and they are extremely thankful for its existence. Most expressed that it is much more than just a radio station, it is truly a place where one can socialize, have fun, meet great people, and be able to express themselves to others through the airwaves. Here's to another 60 years.