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WSYC-FM Style Guide

The following are tips and suggestions that can increase a DJ's professionalism, and enhance the overall sound quality of a show. A DJ is strongly urged to tape his/her show. Only through this action can a DJ truly know how she/he sounds over the air. Asking more experienced DJs for helpful hints is another great way to improve your show.

A DJ should not open the microphones if he or she has nothing to say.
Its always a good idea for a DJ to write down what he/she plans to say, or, at the very least, a couple of key ideas.
At least two songs should be played before each stopset.
If a DJ does a giveaway it is always good to mention the winner over the air. People like to hear their names over the radio. A winner's last name, phone number, or address should not be announced.
Before a show the DJ should call the weather phone (264-1144), or check the A.P. wire to update the weather. The lady at the bank (532-2101) tells the current time and temperature. A DJ should make sure the weather is in front of them so that he/she need not look for it during the stopset.
All carted material should be readied in the order of play before the stopset. It is strongly urged that a DJ pre-read community currents to avoid any mistakes. A DJ should not make fun of any community currents, carts, menus, music, rotations, WSYC personnel, or Shippensburg University and other local community organizations. This is a form of editorializing, which is illegal on non-commercial radio (which we are).
A DJ should limit air talk to 1-2 minutes. Radio Guru Les Holiday once said "Your music is the cake; you are the icing - great, and maybe the best part for some, but too much will make anyone sick".
A DJ should not relate any inside jokes to the audience.
Stopsets are better if a DJ imagines himself/herself talking to one person, not to "all of them out there".
Radio lingo such as rotation, promo, donor, P.S.A., community current, or log should not be mentioned over the air. The audience does not know what they are, nor do they care.
If a C.D. or record skips, or something else is not functioning properly, a DJ can play a P.S.A.. The P.S.A. will give 30-60 seconds to cue up another song. Also, please inform the chief engineer of any problems you experience with the equipment.
WSYC should be mentioned in each of a DJ's stopset.
Records should be cleaned, before they are played.
Creativity is important and will improve a show. A DJ should try new music to avoid repetition.
No more than one double shot per hour is permitted.
Every effort should be given to play all requests. For non-rotation shows (weekend shows included) aside from specialty shows, you must play 50 percent of your requests.
A song by the same band that has been played within the last show should not be played again. Always check the prior DJ's playlist to insure this doesn't happen.
Written on the front of carts are their total times and the ending cues. Carts ending in a music fade should be talked over or mixed into the next song.
If a song has a long intro or "outro", a DJ should talk over it or mix into the next song. Take care to pot down the music, so it won't be in competition with your voice. Often you can talk right up to the first lyric of a song, this is called "kissing the post".
The use of a soundbed can make your stopset more interesting, and actually help mask some of your mistakes.
Rotation should be supported in all cases. If you are not happy with rotation do not insult it over the air, but please inform the program department of your concerns.
The use of stingers between songs is a excellent way to continue the flow of your show. Band liners, are also extremely effective and can be found with the rest of the on-air carts.
Often times rotation disks will have a biography or other information posted on the jewel case. Reading these bites will spice up your stopset, and make you sound more informed.
A DJ must be aware of the levels, with both the music and when speaking into the microphone. If the levels travel too far into the red, the broadcast will sound distorted.
Songs with explicit or obscene lyrics may not go out over the air. A DJ should not be tasteless during stopsets. If you have any question in your mind about the decency of something, don't play it or say it.
Stopsets sound better when a DJ is smiling. A DJ should enjoy themself while entertaining. Have fun!

Policy on the Morpheme "F---"

Due the fact that we are an amateur college radio station and a practice vehicle for future employment, any station member heard broadcasting inappropriate language, material, etc., as defined by the FCC and the WSYC "Rules and Common Sense" will be automatically issued, unless otherwise petitioned by the University and/or surrounding community for a more immediate and severe action [i.e. suspension], a written probationary notice.

The written probationary notice will be issued within one [1] full week of the infraction with a minimum of two witnesses' (one of which must be a staff head) signatures in order to be valid.

This probationary is to last one [1] full year from the time of the initial infraction. This means that if the offense is repeated or a similar offense occurs within that year, the guilty party will be suspended for ninety [90] days from the point of the second infraction, and forfeit all associated privileges, seniority, and current show[s] and/or newscast[s].

Within one [1] week of the suspension, the suspended party may lodge an appeal which will be decided upon by the management council, a process which is to take no longer than two [2] weeks.

The suspension will be enforced until the process is completed. If the deliberation process takes longer than the allotted two [2] weeks due to an indifference on the part of the staff, the suspension will be lifted, but the probationary period will not.

If the suspension is upheld by the simple majority, it will continue as stated regardless of status, number of D.J.'s available for replacement, positions held, semesters served, or outside/inside influence. From this point, suspension is final and can not be debated, appealed, or otherwise challenged.

The Executive Council of WSYC-FM reserves the right to make exceptional rulings regarding this policy.

The constitution covers some areas that are not addressed here, and is superior in all matters. All staff heads are available during posted office hours for help if a DJ has any questions.

Prepared by Steve McGinnis, Program Director 1991
Edited and updated by Keith Collison, Personnel Director, 1993
Revamped and polished by James L. Cole, Program Director, 1996

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