PRESS RELEASE

January 14th, 2012

OVER FIVE THOUSAND STUDENTS VOTE IN THE FALL ELECTIONS, MCGILL ADMINISTRATION IGNORES THE STUDENT VOTE

The McGill Administration has announced that it will refuse to observe the results of a recent student referendum confirming McGill students’ support for CKUT Radio 90.3 FM, as well as for the Quebec Public Interest Research Group (QPIRG) at McGill.

In a referendum conducted by the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU), students voted 72.3% in favour of continuing to support CKUT and 65.6% in favour of continuing to support QPIRG McGill. Quorum was exceptionally high for a fall referendum with a 24.7% voter turnout, equivalent to 5245 undergraduate students.

In a joint letter to CKUT and QPIRG McGill, the McGill Administration stated that the results were “unclear and as such, will not provide McGill’s Board of Governors the assurance necessary to approve renewal of your agreement with the University”.

“The question was crystal clear,” says Carol Fraser, the SSMU representative on CKUT’s Board. “It asked students directly if they agreed to pay a fee that could not be opted-out of online, and they said yes. McGill students knew exactly what they were voting for.” CKUT's question was vetted by the SSMU Council and met the standards of Elections McGill. QPIRG McGill obtained over 500 signatures from 7 faculties following the regulations for a student initiated question, and both questions were endorsed by the SSMU and the AUS.

The system of online opt-outs was imposed unilaterally by the McGill Administration in 2007, ignoring objections from campus groups regarding this violation of student autonomy. In 2007, a SSMU General Assembly motion and subsequent student referendum called upon the Administration to put an end to the online opt-out system. Both the motion and the referendum passed, but both results were ignored by the McGill Administration.

CKUT and QPIRG McGill consider the online opt out a threat to their existence. “It is impossible to manage our finances in a responsible fashion if we are not able to predict an important source of revenue,” stated Louise Burns, member of CKUT’s Board of Directors and Finance Committee. “The online opt outs have also prompted unregulated negative campaigning, including the spread of mis-information by anonymous opponents. This creates a toxic environment without any benefit to public dialogue and deliberation. The ease of online opt -outs means that all student fee-levy groups have to fight for their existence every term during the opt out period at the expense of developing services and programs for students. We believe students are sympathetic to this and this is why the results were overwhelming in our favor. We are very discouraged by the Administrations refusal to acknowledge the results”

Anna Malla, a staff member of QPIRG McGill, stated that “this attempt to undermine independent thinking and free expression, coupled with what appears to be a total disregard for the democratic wishes of McGill students, is disappointing from an institution that is supposedly committed to upholding these very principles.”

QPIRG McGill and CKUT are dismayed by the University Administration's complete lack of regard for the student vote, and are consulting members to decide how to move forward.

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Media Contacts:

Kira Page (QPIRG McGill) 438-868-3957

Myriam Zaidi (Radio CKUT) 514-261-1597

Caitlin Manicom (Radio CKUT) 514-448-4041 ext. 8991

NEW HORIZONS FOR SENIORS PROGRAMME:
A SPECIAL 5-WEEK RADIO TRAINING PROGRAMME

Are you interested in making radio? Do you identify as a senior or elderly individual in Montreal? If so, then we want you!

This is a 5 week programme consisting of a two-hour session every Monday 3-5pm. The program covers the variety of skills you need to know to produce and host your own radio show.

Spots are limited! No cost. If you are identify as a senior and interested in Radio and want to take part in this contact Portia at 514 448 4041 x6788 or by email at radio4all@ckut.ca

EVERY OTHER FRIDAY @ 5pm: THE HARPER BAZAAR, A REVIEW OF CANADA'S CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT

Tune into OFF THE HOUR on Friday January 20th 5-6pm.
The 'Harper Bazaar' is CKUT's Community News Collective bi-weekly exploration of the Conservative government's actions.

ART's BIRTHDAY 2012 CKUT BENEFIT ARTY-PARTY

CKUT is Throwing a rager for Art on Friday the 13th of January at La Plante and L'envers
Doors at 9pm tickets at the door - 8-10$ sliding scale
There'll be Birthday Cakes, Sound Installation, Film Projections (see call out below), party hats and......
live music by:
Andy boay
Leyla Majeri and Katherine Kline
LWA
Fleshtone Aura
Id_M_Theft_able
Flandrew Fleisenberg
Emilie Mouchous
andrea-jane cornell

CKUT BIDS FAREWELL to TWO MUSIC PROGRAMMES

The Epic Journey of No I'm Iron Man the Story of Dikembe Mutombo as hosted
by the venerable Dan Maxham, and radio child Detroit Burns since 2005 had
it's last moment of glory over 5000 Watts of Power this past Thursday
January 4th 2-4am. Never has there been such sacrasm and wit in selections
and banter, they will be gravely missed, and we wish them all the best in
what the future may hold in store for them.
Have a listen to the final chapter HERE


Reality Attack has been bringing a healty dose of anarcho-
feminist punk to the airwaves since 2007, playing anarcho-
punk, d-beat, crust, 77, riot grrl and spoken word, with
a critical analysis and radical message committed to encouraging
dialogue and thought on anti oppression politics and socially
conscious growth in our communities.
Take a Listen to the final episode that aired on January 3rd
HERE

IF YOU GOT EARS JANUARY 11

Tune in to resonant ring-ring-ringing on If You Got Ears Wednesday January 11 2012 12:00 - 14:00
Listen to the show HERE

CKUT & 2110 CENTRE FOR GENDER ADVOCACY PRESENT
DRAGON ROOT: Feminist-powered Radio! TUES 8h30-9h

CKUT Radio and the 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy are once again teaming up to bring important gender issues, the latest news, incredible musical talent and discussions on cultural happenings to the airwaves on a permanent and regular basis.

CKUT welcomes its newest radio program: Dragon Root Radio, feminist-powered radio! Drawing on the deep roots of the Centre, the name Dragon Root references the root itself which is symbolically reflective of the fiery, the delicate, the masculine, the feminine and everyone across the gender spectrum.

CKUT TOOK AUDIENCES INTO THE MAGIC SOUND BOX MID-DECEMBER

LISTEN BACK TO THURSDAY'S PERFORMANCE!

For more info: magicsoundbox.blogspot.com Contact: magicsoundbox@ckut.ca

CKUT HERSAY features the Blue Print Radio Project:
WED, DEC 7 18h30-19h

The Blue Print Project seeks to address issues of gender and violence over the airwaves. Throughout the fall this project has met various gender advocates and activists. On Wednesday evening we bring you some of their experiences and initiatives.
Tune-in for Hersay to hear discussions with the director of On Our Own (transition homes and empowerment opportunities for young mothers) a representative of Stella (a sex worker’s rights organization) and the executive director of the Elizabeth Frye Societies of Canada (an organization that advocates for women in the justice system).
For more information please email radio4all@ckut.ca or call the News Department at 514 448 4041 X 6788

OFF THE HOUR FRI, DEC 2, 17h-18h:
ROUNDTABLE ON CHAREST'S PLAN NORD

Friday, December 2nd at UQAM, an important panel, conference and discussion on the subject of Charest's controversial Plan Nord to discuss the important question of: for who and why? The Pessamit Innu Council promised in the media to make war. Many other indigenous peoples and ecologists oppose it. But what is the opposition on the ground?
Tune-into Off the Hour this Friday, December 2nd, 5-6pm to hear a Plan Nord discussion.

RADIO MOON: Forward House Radio Program by and dedicated to People living with Mental Illness, November 28, 2-3pm & November 30, 5-6pm

Tune-in Monday, November 28th 2pm to 3pm and Wednesday November 30th 5pm to 6pm

JAZZ EUPHORIUM PREVIEWING JUMMA SULTAN'S ABORIGINAL MUSIC SOCIETY

Tune Wednesday November 16th 8pm to 10 pm to listen to the Father of Origin:
Juma Sultan Aboriginal Music Society Box Set thatwas released on the 15th of
November 2011 on Michael Ehlers' Eremite Label.

The Aboriginal Music Society was established as a radical arts presenting organization
and music ensemble by percussionist/bassist Juma Sultan and Percussionist Ali Abwuli in
Woodstock in 1968. They produced independent music concerts, owned and operated a a
recording studio and collaborated with the artist run New York loft space Studio We on
performances and educational programs. The Father of Origin Box set brings together 2 LPs
of recordings made by the Aboriginal Music Society in the Boston in 1970, a private jam
session by Sultan, Abuwi & saxophonist Frank Lowe at the AMS headquarters in 1971 and
a CD containing the musical fruits of a historic meeting with the Woodstock crew & a
trio of mid westerners saxophonist Julius Hemphill, cellist Abdul Wadud, & drummer
Charles “Bobo” Shaw, all members of the St. Louis music & arts collective, Black
Artists Group.

Listen To The ARCHIVE

CKUT's COMMUNITY NEWS COLLECTIVE INVESTIGATES: OCCUPY MONTREAL. TUNE-IN WED, NOV 16, 5-6PM FOR A FULL HOUR DOCUMENTARY ON THE MOVEMENT

This Wednesday, Off the Hour brings you voices from Place des Peuples, formerly known as Square Victoria, and around North America. The Community News Collective investigates: the roots of the movement, the day-to-day organizing, how the media has presented Occupy, the role of political and corporate elites in Canada, and how social issues and movements link to Occupy.
Follow us on twitter: @CKUTNews

RECLAIM RADIO TAKES OVER THE AIRWAVES TODAY 12 NOON to 7PM

Check out Monday, November 14 archives: 12 noon to 8pm! on CKUT Radio. Reclaim! Radio takes over the airwaves across the country on campus/community radio.
This special day-long broadcast is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA), the launch of an NCRA-led campaign to reserve frequencies for campus and community radio stations and the 11th annual Media Democracy Day.
More info: NCRA WEBSITE.