On April 1st, MUNSU board of directors voted to defund the campus radio station, CHMR 93.5 and somehow it wasn’t an April fools joke. I am BEGGING them to reconsider their options for resolving funding issues and to reinstate their funding to CHMR. 

During my five years as a volunteer at the campus radio station at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), I found more than just a platform to express my passion for media. It was a family and a source of immense comfort. Through my involvement, I gained invaluable skills in media, interviewing, and engaging with artists I admired. The station provided a sense of belonging and confidence that rippled beyond personal experiences, touching countless students who shared similar journeys.

Recently, the MUN student union made the unfortunate decision to cut funding for the campus radio station, CHMR-FM, which jeopardizes not only ongoing student involvement but also the rich cultural fabric it supports. This decision starkly contrasts with their prioritization of the campus bar, which received a funding boost of a million dollars. In comparison, mere hundreds of thousands were deemed excessive for the radio station.

The campus radio station serves as a creative outlet for students, enriching the educational experience by offering real-world media operations exposure. It plays a critical role in nurturing young talent, helping them build skills that are both academic and professional. There are hundreds of alumni who will vouch to the invaluable knowledge that CHMR has provided, many of which used that exact knowledge and experience to build successful careers in media outlets.

We are calling on the MUN student union to reconsider this financial decision. They could explore alternative solutions for managing their debts, such as re-evaluating all funded entities and ensuring a more balanced and fair distribution of resources. The aim is not to diminish the importance of other services but to recognize the invaluable impact of the radio station on student lives.

Please join me in urging the student union to reinstate the crucial funding for the campus radio station, ensuring that future students continue to benefit from the unique opportunities it presents. Sign this petition to make your voice heard and sustain this vital part of our university community. 

You can additionally help by forwarding this to the people who have determined the fate of CHMR:
advocacy@munsu.ca, campaigns@munsu.ca, external@munsu.ca, finance@munsu.ca, studentlife@munsu.ca, artsrep@munsu.ca, sciencerep@munsu.ca, engengineeringrep@munsu.ca, educationrep@munsu.ca,  nursing@munsu.ca, cnsrep@munsu.ca, medicinerep@munsu.ca, businessrep@munsu.ca, hkrrep@munsu.ca, scwrkrep@munsu.ca, internationalrep@munsu.ca, indigenous@munsu.ca, blackrep@munsu.ca, studentsofcolourrep@munsu.ca, lgbtrep@munsu.ca, accessibility@munsu.ca, transrep@munsu.ca, frontdesk@munsu.ca