Media on Campus

Voices heard and ears reached

University makes a point of emphasizing balance. Academics are the backbone of the university experience, but clubs, sports teams, and social organizations are ways for students to get out of the textbook bubble and join a different part of the university community. Getting and staying connected with other students is the first step to truly experiencing all that university has to offer.

There are numerous on-campus organizations to join, but for those students looking to have their voices heard and their opinions shared, the on-campus media institutions are the first place to look. At the University of Guelph, there are three main on-campus organizations that actively attempt to reach the ears of every student. While all three reach the minds of students, Campus and Community Radio (CFRU-FM), The Ontarion, and The Central Student Association reach the ears, eyes, and hearts of the members of the University of Guelph respectively.

CFRU-FM dates back to 1939, when a radio broadcasting credit was available to students at the Ontario Agricultural College. However, it wasn’t until 1969 that the University of Guelph truly had a dedicated radio station. Finally, in 1973, CFRU-FM was awarded an AM license to broadcast publically on campus. The CFRU moved to its current 93.3 FM station in 1980.

“Since [1980], CFRU has offered Guelph a volunteer-driven alternative to mainstream and public radio,” explained Vish Khanna, Station Manager at the CFRU. “We broadcast over 70 weekly shows programmed and hosted by local students and community members about the things they care about.”

Matthew Azevedo is a student who has been involved with CFRU-FM for over two years.

“I originally got involved with CFRU after being drawn into their “club days” booth in the UC two years ago,” explained Azevedo. “They were playing video game music performed by an orchestra and I think it was the Zelda theme song that drew me in.”

For students with no prior experience the CFRU staff offer training sessions and workshops that “prepare volunteers to program their own shows, produce station promos and ads, listen to and organize the tons of new music that arrives each week, promote the station, or help with the behind the scenes technical details.”

CFRU-FM invites all students to volunteer.

“The varied interests, activities, and backgrounds of our diverse group of volunteers form the basis of CFRU’s programming and allow CFRU to be an integral community hub and source of information,” concluded Khanna.

Established in 1951, The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent, non-profit newspaper. Offices are located in the second-floor of the University Centre, and much like the CFRU, all students are invited to volunteer.

“Our focus is to allow students to have a voice on-campus – our staff is primarily students, and volunteer writers and photographers fill much of the weekly publication’s content,” explained Emily Jones, Editor-in-Chief of The Ontarion. “The Ontarion covers a variety of stories on a weekly basis, including campus events, things going on in the Guelph community, and global issues that are in dire need of being talked about.”

Students are not required to have a background in journalism. Furthermore, advice and help are always offered by The Ontarion’s network of volunteers in addition to the five section editors.

“Working with, or for, The Ontarion is truly a unique opportunity,” stated Jones. “It allows each person to have a voice on campus if they want a public one, and it allows for people to work on and improve their writing skills while covering subject matter they enjoy. It, at times, takes you out of your comfort zone and prepares you for a future in the work place – it’s all a part of evolving into a better, stronger, more capable being, while learning new transferable skills.”

Finally, for students interested in a chance to engage in student government, the Central Student Association (CSA) serves as a voice for students at the University of Guelph.

“The CSA is your undergraduate students’ union – your voice for your rights,” explained Sonia Chwalek, Communications and Corporate Affairs Commissioner for the CSA. “We aim to work towards positive change on issues that affect students across the country through lobbying efforts, campaigns, social initiatives, events, and organizing.”

Though the CSA has a central set of five Executive Commissioners, students are encouraged to attend Board of Director meetings to voice their concerns and opinions with the people determining their future. Furthermore, executives hold a one-year student elected position, and any student can apply for any position.

“We are member-driven and directed, so communication between the CSA and students is integral,” concluded Chwalek. “There are a lot of opportunities to get involved, and not all require the same time commitment, skills [and] knowledge, or level of dedication. Regardless of your individual circumstances, there is definitely a way in which you can participate.”

The University of Guelph also has a number of other media groups, including The Peak Magazine, a web and print magazine published five times a year in the City of Guelph, Carousel Magazine, an arts and culture publication released twice a year; and Kaleidoscope, a student publication “dedicated to promoting and celebrating the creative efforts of the undergraduate population at the University of Guelph.”