KSLU (FM)

KSLU (90.9 FM) is a radio station broadcasting an adult album alternative (AAA) format on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, United States. The station is broadcast from studios in Cardinal Newman Hall.

KSLU
Large yellow block letters K S L U, trimmed in green, with a green waveform behind them. Beneath in a sans serif is the text "90.9 FM" in green.
Broadcast areaLake Pontchartrain area
Frequency90.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Programming
FormatCollege radio; adult album alternative
AffiliationsNPR
Ownership
OwnerSoutheastern Louisiana University
History
First air date
November 11, 1974 (1974-11-11)
Call sign meaning
Southeastern Louisiana University
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID61234
ClassA
ERP3,000 watts
HAAT43.0 meters (141.1 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
30°30′55″N 90°28′04″W
Links
Public license information
Websitelionupradio.org

KSLU began broadcasting in 1974 and has provided a mix of campus-oriented and alternative public radio broadcasting to the Hammond area. In 2023, responsibility for the station was moved under the university's athletics department in support of the school's sports communication program.

History

On December 14, 1973, Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the construction permit to build a new 10-watt educational radio station on the campus. The FCC granted this permit on May 21, 1974,[2] and KSLU began broadcasting on November 11, 1974, from studios in the Humanities Building.[3] In the early 1980s, Robin Roberts—later of ESPN and Good Morning America—was a special assignment reporter for KSLU while a student at the university.[4] The station began airing public radio programming in 1982, providing the format for the first time in the Hammond and Tangipahoa Parish area.[5] KSLU increased its power to 3,000 watts in 1984 and increased its coverage of SLU athletics.[6]

In 2021, the university began a renovation of D Vickers Hall, presenting logistical concerns for the future of the station.[7] However, after Hurricane Ida in 2022, the station was knocked off air as the facility sustained substantial damage; streaming was resumed from studios in Cardinal Newman Hall. In Ida's wake, the station manager successfully campaigned for the station to be transferred to the university's athletic department in support of a recently established sports communication major.[8] KSLU resumed broadcasting at reduced power of 600 watts on May 4, 2023.[9] The renovated D Vickers Hall will contain a new broadcast and media center.[10]

Funding

In fiscal year 2022, KSLU was predominantly funded by the university, by way of contributions and student fees, and by grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.[11] The latter provides funds for the purchase of syndicated programming from various public radio distributors as well as support the station's local news reporting and a weekly community affairs program.[12]

References
  1. "Facility Technical Data for KSLU". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "History Cards for KSLU". Federal Communications Commission.
  3. "KSLU to begin broadcasting on Monday". The St. Helena Echo. November 13, 1974. p. 1. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "LeBlanc, Smith, Roberts to join SLU Hall". The Advocate. February 9, 1992. p. 7-C.
  5. "In the State: Stations change". Sunday Advocate. January 17, 1982. p. 8-B. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  6. "Sports briefs: KSLU to broadcast SLU sports". Morning Advocate. July 19, 1984. p. 9-E. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  7. Dorsey, Symiah (May 4, 2021). "On-air or online: The future of KSLU radio". The Lion's Roar. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  8. Woods, Kennith (January 30, 2023). "KSLU joins hands with Athletics". The Lion's Roar. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  9. "#214542 Resumption of Operations of a Full Power FM Station Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  10. Stewart, Ian (January 9, 2023). "D Vickers and Pottle continue to undergo construction". The Lion's Roar. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  11. Griffin & Furman LLC. "Financial Statements, June 30, 2022" (PDF). p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  12. "Local Content and Service Report" (PDF). KSLU. 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
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