Changing seasons brings significant changes around the Oswego State campus too. One of the larger changes that occur each semester is the change in programing at WNYO, Oswego State’s student-run radio station.

Listeners in the Oswego area can tune in to 88.9 FM to listen to what students wish to put on. The station hosts a variety of programs, from sports talk shows, video game discussions, to good old-fashioned heavy rock. Students have the ability to create the show they want and put it on-air.

To get involved with the station, students attend the general interest meeting held by the WNYO executive board.

“We draw a lot of freshman interest at the beginning of each semester and encourage them to start their own shows,” said Michael Nielsen, the general manager at WNYO. “We feel it’s always best to have fresh ideas.”

After the meeting, students who wish to get involved at the station go through training. They sit in on existing shows to see how they are run and in some cases get to contribute with the current on air talent.

Anthony Dolce, a senior broadcasting major and DJ for the station, said there is a specific process to get a show.

“In order to get a show, eight hours of shadowing must be done, meaning that new DJs have to sit in on eight total hours of other people’s shows,” Dolce said. “They do not necessarily have to be sports shows for our department, they can sit in on anything. They also have to take a DJ test, which is 35 questions, with all the answers being in the DJ handbook on the WNYO website.”

From here, students begin to pitch their shows.

“We look for shows that are new and innovative, outside the box,” Nielsen said. “Shows that have themes and formats that you wouldn’t hear on a non-college station. For the DJs that can’t make it on air due to schedule constraints, we have them join existing shows.”

Creativity is always encouraged for WNYO’s programing. This creativity helps students stand out as DJs and the station stand out from other area stations.

Programs for the station are not the only thing WNYO looks for as they want to ensure they get the right talent for the right shows. A DJ can make or break a program and the executive board knows this.

“I expect them to have fun and enjoy themselves,” Nielsen said. “We are college students and are here to explore different life opportunities. The creative fun the radio environment provides is only amplified by the charisma of the DJs.”

Of course, it is not as simply as starting right away.

“We obviously expect a learning curve from new shows and DJs,” Dolce said. “It’s our job to just help people get better, and that is really our ultimate goal. We don’t expect people to come in and be amazing, we just expect them to improve, so by the time they graduate, they have some real experience.”

As Oswego State moves through the semester, the new talent is getting ready to step up to the mic and deliver their programs.

“Our new DJs are currently on the last weekend of training before we have them start their shows, so unfortunately they aren’t on air yet,” Nielsen said. “Word on the street is though, there’s a narrative show coming that is supposed to be like a soap opera and a Beatles tribute hour.”

With the creation of new programs coming to a close, the executive board begins to look toward the future and how the station as a whole can improve for the upcoming semester. One thing the executive board is working toward  is becoming more prevalent on the Oswego State campus.

“We are looking to expand our presence on campus and hopefully bring the station to the attention of more people, while at the same time creating a strong brand and image that can last [a long time],” Nielsen said.

Students interested in becoming more involved with WNYO can go to the station in the Marano Campus Center located in The Point.