UMass Dartmouth and Rhode Island Public Radio enter final stage of license transfer
WUMD 89.3 expected to go fully online by end of June following May 1 FCC approval;
proceeds to support need-based student aid and community engagement initiatives at
UMass Dartmouth
DARTMOUTH, MA – The Federal Communications Commission on May 1 has approved the
transfer of UMass Dartmouth’s 9,800-watt WUMD (89.3 FM) radio license to Rhode
Island Public Radio. The approval sets the stage for a collaboration that will
generate new need-based financial aid and learning opportunities for UMass Dartmouth
students while nearly doubling the broadcast footprint of Rhode Island Public Radio
(RIPR).
With the FCC approval, WUMD will move to a fully online format by the end of June.
RIPR will expand its broadcast range across much of southeastern Massachusetts,
using the 89.3 FM frequency. RIPR will also continue to broadcast on its present
frequencies: 88.1, 91.5, and 102.7.
UMass Dartmouth will immediately receive $1.5 million in cash from RIPR to endow
need-based financial aid and community engagement programs, as well as $617,100 in
underwriting time on the RIPR network and additional on-air promotion over the next
10 years. UMass Dartmouth and RIPR will also collaborate on a series of academic and
community engagement activities, including internships and public forums.
The collaboration also provides for SouthCoast representation on the RIPR Board of
Directors and RIPR’s Community Advisory Board.
About the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
UMass Dartmouth is a Tier 1 national research university located on 710 acres of the
scenic SouthCoast of Massachusetts. With nearly 9,000 students in undergraduate,
master’s and doctoral programs, and a 400-member faculty that annually produces $27
million in research activity, the university is an innovation catalyst that
generates nearly a half billion dollars of economic activity in the region. Home to
the Commonwealth’s only public law school and recognized as a national Top 20
university for civic engagement, UMass Dartmouth contributes more than 240,000 hours
of community service per year. The university has 45,000 alumni.
About WUMD
WUMD (previously known as WUSM and WSMU) began as a 10-watt station in 1972 and grew
to a 9,600-watt station serving as an outlet for ideas and artistic expression in
southeastern Massachusetts and online. The station provides exposure to musical
genres and artists that are underrepresented on commercial media, with an emphasis
on new music. WUMD also focuses on local music, featuring local bands/artists and
local concert information. Public affairs programming on WUMD addresses current
issues relevant to the university and surrounding communities, with an emphasis on
voices and viewpoints that are underrepresented on mainstream or commercial media.
WUMD provides a learning environment in which students and community residents can
gain knowledge and experience in various aspects of radio broadcasting. Individuals
interested in volunteering at WUMD are invited to join training classes offered
several times per year. Work study positions are also available.
About Rhode Island Public Radio
Rhode Island Public Radio is devoted to covering Southeastern New England news by
bringing the area the best in public radio programming from NPR and other sources.
Our local newsroom has reporters specializing in healthcare, education, the
environment and local politics. Rhode Island Public Radio’s mission is to provide
Southeastern New Englanders with quality journalism and compelling storytelling that
informs, educates and inspires community. We are available on 88.1 FM in Greater
Providence, 102.7 FM in Southern Rhode Island and 91.5 FM in Coventry and central
Rhode Island. Our news stories are available on our website, RIPR.org. Listeners can
stream our programming on our website and on our iPhone app.