Finding aid for the All-Campus Radio Network (ACRN) Collection


Title:
All-Campus Radio Network (ACRN) Collection
Repository:
Ohio University
Phone: 740-593-2710
http://www.ohio.edu/library/collections/archives-special-collections/
Creator:
Ohio University
Dates:
1965-1997
Quantity:
2 boxes
Abstract:
ACRN is Ohio University's first and only student run radio network. It first began broadcasting in 1971 using carrier current technology, then Cable FM, and now utilizing the internet as a mode of streaming music, news, sports, and other programming 24 hours a day. This collection contains materials related to the development and management of ACRN, including general information, correspondence, minutes, financial records, research, newspapers, photographs and other material.
Identification:
UA000251
Language:
The records are in English

History of The All-Campus Radio Network (ACRN)

In the late 1960s, multiple dormitory radio stations used the buildings' electrical wiring for broadcasting (carrier current) programming to Ohio University's East, West, and South greens. It was very inexpensive to install and operate. Eventually there were ten student-run green stations in all. Students were responsible for an idea which would link the dorm stations to a news network feed. In 1971, ACRN had its first broadcast to its network affiliates. By 1974, ACRN was broadcasting 24 hours a day. In that same year, ACRN linked with Continental Cable of Athens and expanded its listener base to the surrounding Athens area. In 1976, through the Ohio University Employees' Credit Union, ACRN received a loan to purchase updated equipment. According to ACRN's website (2012) "by pioneering stereo cable FM and being the first to adapt the industry standard Optimod FM (1978) to cable, ACRN made radio history".

Despite these advances, ACRN could rarely be heard on campus. This is not only because of the decline in the dorm station usage, but also the short-lived exposure broadcasting in the dining halls. Not wanting to lose a major listener base, ACRN proposed that Ohio University install cable in all the dorms, so that they could broadcast over Cable FM. After many years of pressuring and petitioning the university, OU agreed to install cable in all dormitories in 1995. ACRN used the CATVision University Cable System as a means of increasing their presence on campus.

However, due to rising costs and decreases in funding, ACRN could no longer utilize its Cable FM broadcasting system in 1998. In 1999, they switched to an online platform through their website ACRN.com. Currently (as of 2012), ACRN continues to broadcast 24 hours a day through their online web server.

Scope and Content

The collection is organized into seven series: 1) General; 2) Correspondence; 3) Green Station Information; 4) Minutes; 5) Funding and Finance; 6) Research; and 7) Miscellaneous.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is arranged thematically.
Series 1. General
Series 2. Correspondence
Series 3. Green Station Information
Series 4. Minutes
Series 5. Funding and Finance
Series 6. Research
Series 7. Miscellaneous

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

Subjects:

College radio stations
College radio stations--United States--History.
Ohio University
Radio--Ohio.

Organizations/Corporations:

Ohio University, Athens

Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite [Collection Name], Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Detailed Description of the Collection


Box 1 / Folder 1
General: History of ACRN, 1961-1997




Box 1 / Folder 2
General: ACRN Department Breakdown, Undated




Box 1 / Folder 3
General: Staff Lists, 1968-1996




Box 1 / Folder 4
General: Equipment, Undated




Box 1 / Folder 5
General: Station Proposals, 1972-1995




Box 1 / Folder 6
General: Programming + Logs, Undated




Box 1 / Folder 7
General: Legal, 1964-1995




Box 1 / Folder 8
General: Promotion/Contest Proposals, 1978-1982




Box 1 / Folder 9
General: Promotional/Contest Information, 1981-1995




Box 1 / Folder 10
General: Concert Proposals, 1974-1996




Box 1 / Folder 11
General: Satellite Information (The Source), 1986-1987




Box 1 / Folder 12
General: Satellite Information (Rockline + NBC), Undated




Box 1 / Folder 13
Correspondence: Incoming, 1967-1976




Box 1 / Folder 14
Correspondence: Incoming, 1977-1996




Box 1 / Folder 15
Correspondence: Outgoing, 1967-1976




Box 1 / Folder 16
Correspondence: Outgoing, 1977-1994




Box 1 / Folder 17
Correspondence: Affiliate Stations, 1969-1983




Box 1 / Folder 18
Correspondence: In-House, 1967-1995




Box 1 / Folder 19
Correspondence: In-House Information and Newsletters, 1988-1996




Box 1 / Folder 20
Correspondence: Alumni, 1981-1997




Box 1 / Folder 21
Correspondence: External, 1969-1987




Box 1 / Folder 22
Correspondence: Undated, Undated




Box 1 / Folder 23
Green Station Information: History and Proposals, 1967-1974




Box 1 / Folder 24
Green Station Information: Radio Station Taskforce + Agreements, 1973-1979




Box 1 / Folder 25
Green Station Information: Technical Standards Requirement Report, Undated




Box 1 / Folder 26
Green Station Information: Cable Channel Utilization + Taskforce, 1979




Box 1 / Folder 27
Green Station Information: Campus Carrier Current Radio Policies, 1967-1974




Box 1 / Folder 28
Green Station Information: WGAM, 1965-1973




Box 1 / Folder 29
Green Station Information: WLHD, 1974-1995




Box 1 / Folder 30
Minutes: Campus Carrier Current Radio Committee, 1965-1974




Box 1 / Folder 31
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1972




Box 1 / Folder 32
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1973-1975




Box 1 / Folder 33
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1976-1979




Box 1 / Folder 34
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1981




Box 1 / Folder 35
Minutes: Executive, General, Promotions Staff Meetings, 1982-1983




Box 1 / Folder 36
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1988-1989




Box 2 / Folder 1
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1989-1990




Box 2 / Folder 2
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1990-1991




Box 2 / Folder 3
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1992-1994




Box 2 / Folder 4
Minutes: Executive Meetings, 1994-1995




Box 2 / Folder 5
Minutes: Public Relations Meetings, 1994




Box 2 / Folder 6
Funding and Finance: SAC, 1981-1992




Box 2 / Folder 7
Funding and Finance: SAC, 1995-1996




Box 2 / Folder 8
Funding and Finance: OUECU Loan Paperwork, 1976-1986




Box 2 / Folder 9
Funding and Finance: Receipts, 1988-1992




Box 2 / Folder 10
Funding and Finance: SGF, 1992




Box 2 / Folder 11
Funding and Finance: SGF, 1992-1993




Box 2 / Folder 12
Funding and Finance: SGF, 1993




Box 2 / Folder 13
Funding and Finance: Billing, 1980-1996




Box 2 / Folder 14
Funding and Finance: Spot Rates + Accounts, 1964-1990




Box 2 / Folder 15
Funding and Finance: Budget and Goal Sheets, 1971-1997




Box 2 / Folder 16
Funding and Finance: Payment Schedules to Green Stations, 1971-1976




Box 2 / Folder 17
Funding and Finance: Applications for Grant Funding, Undated




Box 2 / Folder 18
Research: Ohio University's Student Organizations Guidebook, undated




Box 2 / Folder 19
Research: FCC Report, 1971




Box 2 / Folder 20
Research: Petitions II, undated




Box 2 / Folder 21
Research: Competitor Research, 1981




Box 2 / Folder 22
Research: Student Reports I, undated




Box 2 / Folder 23
Research: Student Reports II, undated




Box 2 / Folder 24
Research: ACRN Department Reports, 1972-1995




Box 2 / Folder 25
Research: Surveys, undated




Box 2 / Folder 26
Research: Petitions I, undated




Box 2 / Folder 27
Miscellaneous: Certificates, undated




Box 2 / Folder 28
Miscellaneous: Notes, undated




Box 2 / Folder 31
Miscellaneous: SRDS Information, undated




Box 2 / Folder 30
Miscellaneous: Holiday Cards, 1981




Box 2 / Folder 29
Research: Radio Trends, 1982-1984




Box 2 / Folder 32
Miscellaneous: Conference Paperwork, 1968-1997




Box 2 / Folder 35
Miscellaneous: News Liners, undated




Box 2 / Folder 34
Miscellaneous: Newsletters, 1975-1994




Box 2 / Folder 33
Miscellaneous: TCOM Center Information, 1973-1979




Box 2 / Folder 36
Miscellaneous: Blank Memos and Letterheads, undated




Box 2 / Folder 37
Miscellaneous: Newspapers, 1970s-1995




Box 2 / Folder 38
Miscellaneous: Photographs, Undated




Box 2 / Folder 39
Miscellaneous: Posters and Fliers, 1970s-1990s