When it comes to getting involved on campus, you’ll be hard pressed to find an organization more integrated with campus life than KCSS. Our student-run radio station has evolved beyond a mere FM radio to an organization filled with opportunities abound for students looking to challenge themselves in new and interesting ways.
Much more than just “The Valley’s True Alternative” the crew at KCSS hosts community and campus events alike. The Station is managed by students that receive either internship credits or units through the lab course for any students interested.
Started in 1974, KCSS has been a student-run company since 1993 and is a valuable opportunity for professional experience in a low-pressure environment. “You have the freedom to learn different things and take on as much as you want, it’s just a matter of what you want to get out of this experience,” says KCSS Station Manager and Nicolette Chingofor (senior, Communications). “If you want to learn more about merchandising or graphic designing or engineering, or music and getting in touch with labels. But whatever you do want to get out of this experience it’s definitely possible.”
For those more interested in podcasting than broadcasting, KCSS can help with that too. The station has a broadcasting lab that is not only for staff but also available to students looking to start their own shows. Chaianne Jones (junior, Communications) is looking to take advantage stating, “I won’t talk about what the show we’ll be until we get approved but, you send in your proposal, a few other things, and you’re good to go.” You can find podcasts for students by students on the KCSS site in the podcasts section.
KCSS is also one of the HIP (High Impact Practice) at Stanislaus State. The goal of these programs is to help students fully benefit from their experience at CSU Stan “through heightened engagement and achievement”. Each practice must undergo a HIPs assessment in which they have to meet at least four of seven characteristics.
KCSS General Manager and Communications Professor Greg Jacquay believes the station reaches all seven characteristics and wrote the assessment for the station himself.“ Jacquay said, “generally the HIPs end up having four there are some departments on campus that have a good two or three there are some that have a solid four. They look for that solid four. It’s going to be hard to reach all seven but again from my point of view I thought it did.”
Professor of education policy and senior scholar at the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment George Kuh’s research has shown that underserved students (low income, minority, and first generation) benefit the most from these practices.
If you want to get involved with KCSS this Spring, you’ll find it under Journalism 3112: Radio Production Lab.