members

WSYC-FM Rules & Common Sense Guide

The following is a list of rules, policies, and guidelines that should be maintained by the entire staff of WSYC-FM. A DJ may be reprimanded for violation of any rules presented in this document, so please read and go through this material carefully.

WSYC MEMBERSHIP:

1. Your name must appear on the list of authorized on-air staff located in the on-air studio in order to be considered a full member of WSYC-FM. This status is acquired by successfully completing the training program composed by the executive council.
2. To maintain membership status, a DJ must attend all general meetings (newscasters included). After three unexcused absences, a DJ will be given a 90 day suspension of all station privileges. If a written excuse is submitted to the personnel director or the general manager 24 hours prior to the meeting, the absence will not count against the DJ. Meeting minutes (both staff and general) are posted in the WSYC lobby so that a DJ may keep informed if he/she misses a meeting. Subs, although encouraged to attend, are not required to be present at general meetings.
3. Memberships status includes many privileges, such as production room use and possibly the review of compact discs. A DJ is encouraged to take advantage of them all.

LOBBY POLICY:

1. The WSYC lobby is what will first impress (whether for good or bad) anyone entering our station. Thus, please take care to keep it clean. Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside the station as well as the surrounding areas of the C.U.B.
2. Drug use, including alcohol, within the station is not allowed and will be dealt with on an individual basis, possibly resulting in suspension.
3. The magazines and other materials located in the WSYC lobby are for everybody to read. A DJ should not take any of these home, unless the general manager or other appropriate staff head has granted them permission to do so.
4. A DJ is expected to periodically take a look at the WSYC bulletin boards which have information such as dates of general meetings, the sub list, and staff head office hours.
5. A DJ is expected to be tasteful when writing upon the chalkboard.
6. Staff head mailboxes are located in the lobby. Complaints or compliments may be left here. A DJ may not take anything out of a mailbox without permission.
7. All DJs are encouraged to hang out in the lobby and enjoy the atmosphere of a real working radio station. This is a great first step in getting more involved with the operation and management of the WSYC.

OFFICE POLICY:

1. The WSYC office is where staff heads are found hard at work. A DJ should not be in the office without permission from a staff head.
2. The office also contains new music that has not been listened to by our program department. A DJ should not take any of this music unless given permission by the program or music directors.

PRODUCTION STUDIO POLICY:

1. Any WSYC member wishing to use the production studio must sign up on the sheet located on the production studio bulletin board. The DJ is expected to follow guidelines set by the production engineer(PE).
2. The staff heads of the station have the right to use the production studio at any time (for official work), and may ask a DJ to leave.
3. If a DJ does a promo, liner, stinger, etc., he/she must submit the work to the production engineer for approval and production. The final production piece, along with a cart approval form must be given to the program director, and receive his/her signature of approval before the material can be aired.
4. The PE must receive all materials four days in advance. Emergency situations may warrant faster attention, but must be brought to the PE's attention immediately.
5. DJ's that have been granted a specialty show by the program director, must do two 30-45 second promos for the show, and update them regularly.
6. A DJ may not remove or rearrange any equipment in the production studio. When finished with equipment, a DJ should turn the power off and return all switches to the neutral position.
7. A DJ may not use any carted material without the PE's or program director's specific approval. A DJ should not leave reels or carts in the production studio. A DJ who does not clean after him or herself, will be prohibited from further use of the production studio.
8. No food or drink is permitted in the production studio.

NEWSROOM POLICY:

1. Newscasters must follow the guidelines established and posted by the news director. Newscasters, will be suspended for blowing off a newscast. An F.C.C. license is not necessary for newscasting.
2. Newscasters are subject to the same attendance policies as DJs, that is, after three unexcused absences of WSYC general meetings the newscaster is issued a 90 day suspension.
3. It is the entire staff's responsibility to keep the newsroom clean.

ON-AIR STUDIO POLICY:

1. A DJ is required to be a full member status to work the board alone.
2. At the beginning of each new semester a DJ must fill out a show contract, and adhere to the terms laid out within it.
3. Failure to show up for a scheduled show will result in a 90 day suspension. Please take this seriously, as you may know there is a long waiting list for your show spot.
4. A DJ wishing to discontinue his or her show must notify the personnel director two weeks in advance.
5. Any schedule changes must be made known to both the personnel and program directors.
6. A DJ should be present at least 15 min. before his/her show begins.
7. A DJ should not leave the studio during the show. If the DJ needs to use the bathroom, it is recommended that he/she asks someone to cover the show. However, if this is not possible, please take care of your business during a long song.
8. Only two guests are allowed in the on-air studio at one time. A DJ is responsible for the actions of his/her guests, both on and off the air.
9. A DJ is responsible for completing and correctly filing the following paperwork: playlists, record count sheets, sign in/sign out log, and the request log. If DJ's show contains a giveaway, the DJ must also fill out the giveaway sheet. This should be done even if you are not able to successfully give away the item.
10. All requests must be logged, even if the song is not played.
11. A DJ is required to count all the C.D.s in rotation as well as in the hot box, at the beginning and the end of each show. These counts should be recorded on the record count sheets. The C.D.s themselves must be counted not just the jewel cases.
12. If a DJ wants to listen to a C.D. that is in rotation, he/she must notify the on-air jock of its absence. C.D.s removed from rotation should not leave the station, or be out of rotation for more than one and a half hours. When the C.D. is inserted back into rotation, make sure it's in the correct position of being active or non-active, as well as heavy, medium, or light.
13. WSYC-FM has a rotation format Monday through Friday from 7am- 6pm. Twelve-1pm and 9-10pm are all request hours, where rotation may be waived, and all requested songs should be played. The failure to follow rotation will result in a clock violation, or possibly a suspension.
14. A DJ must answer the phone in a professional manner. If a message needs to be taken, a DJ needs to be accurate and neat.
15. A DJ is required to follow the program log. WSYC has a legal obligation to play station I.D.'s, and donorships on time.
16. DJs must be careful to pull carts only after they have played through (the yellow light will blink when it's finished).
17. Directions for what to do if the next DJ does not show, are posted in the on-air studio. Follow these directions.
18. Emergencies on campus - or school closings - must be verified by the general manager of the station. No such announcements should be made without the general manager's approval.
19. A DJ should not add or remove (unless to be listened to in the prod. room, see #12) anything from rotation or the hot box. If you have suggestions, please bring them up to the rotation staff. Also, no carted material should be added or moved without the program directors approval.
20. If a DJ wants to do on-air phone calls you must tape them first. You never know what the caller may say, and you are responsible for everything that goes out over the air during your shift.
21. There is no food or drink allowed in the on-air studio.
22. All music and carted material must be put back in it's correct place. This will enable the next person to find it!