Students object to 'hate radio,' ask school to end affiliation with station

By The Associated Press

12.16.02

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EUGENE, Ore. — Students and professors angered by so-called "hate radio" on a local station are renewing their call for the University of Oregon to end its affiliation with the station.

The station, KUGN-AM, carries Oregon Duck football and basketball games and bills itself at "The Voice of the Ducks." It also carries "Savage Nation," described by the program's critics as offensive and racist.

"Savage Nation," which originates at KSFO in San Francisco, is syndicated on more than 350 stations nationwide.

At a Dec. 12 campus forum sponsored by the university's Center on Diversity and Community, about 55 students and professors demanded that the school end its contract with the station.

"Letting the radio station use the U of O logo is tantamount to taking a side and making a political statement — one not appreciated by minorities in this state or on this campus," said Matt Garcia, professor of history and ethnic studies.

Student Nicole Barrett, one of nine panelists, said the university's failure to end its relationship with KUGN "doesn't feel like an affirmation of rejecting bigotry."

The school can't use its contract to dictate program content without a risk of violating the First Amendment, said Dan Williams, vice president for UO administration and a forum panelist.

In addition, the State Board of Higher Education has prohibited basing purchasing or contract decisions on politics, he said.

"Quite frankly, we're no less embarrassed than anyone in the community or the university about these circumstances," Williams said.

This is the fifth year of a five-year contract with ESPN Sports and KUGN, which is one of the 20 stations in the network, Williams said. He pointed out that when the contract was signed, KUGN didn't carry shows such as "Savage Nation."

Garcia said he didn't buy the university's reasoning.

"They keep saying it's a First Amendment issue, their hands are tied or you can just turn off the radio. I call this academic elitism and cultural chauvinism on behalf of our administrators," he said.

KUGN program director Bob Bosche said station representatives "chose to pass on the forum. A caller told us that there were only about 50 people that showed up, and they were expecting hundreds."

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