The University of Southern California has announced that it will ‘preserve classical music in San Francisco’ via the purchase of the rights to broadcast there at 90.3 FM and 89.9 FM. USC sees this as a chance to connect with alumni and with potential recruits. The deal, however, is a travesty.

For decades, 90.3 has been the home of the award-winning, University of San Francisco-operated community station KUSF-FM. As part of a deal negotiated behind closed doors between USC, the University of San Francisco, and Entercom - one of the largest radio station owners in the country - the station was unceremoniously torn from the airwaves earlier this week. Volunteers arrived to find the station behind lock and key; others report being treated like criminals as they were ushered out in a state of surprise. Preserving classical music from afar should not come at the expense of the cultural and musical communities that are now losing a key hub. As USC students, alumni, faculty and staff, it troubles us deeply that our own institution is partially responsible for this outcome.

Educational stations are one of America’s last widely-available outlets for local, critical and challenging content. During a time in which independent voices are increasingly scarce on the consolidated FM dial, USC’s initiative comes at the cost of hobbling a decades-old community institution. Please sign the petition below to express solidarity with those of the KUSF community working for the return of their station. It is our hope that USC can achieve its goals while preserving a valuable San Francisco voice.

This petition is directed specifically to students, alumni, faculty and staff of USC. 

More background on this transaction is available here. Be sure to visit www.savekusf.org as well.