WUSM needs vast improvement

I have never understood why the Southern Miss radio station does not cater to students.

Almost every large university in the United States has a student run radio station that includes student news, music, and entertainment. WUSM seems to only be targeted to an older crowd with classical music, talk shows, and light jazz.

I think that WUSM should be rivals of monster stations such as Clear Channel's The Fox and SL100. The students need an outlet for their music and news that can be broadcast without corporate interference. I bet that most students on campus don't even know there is a radio station, let alone be able to recall the station's numbers.

If the school is unwilling to change the current station, why not add another one strictly dedicated to students? It would be great to be able to listen to upcoming events at bars, restaurants, and other local hot spots without cheesy DJ's tossing in their meek opinions.

All this comes in the wake of the college shootings that have been more and more frequent. What better way to reach a mass audience than the radio? Most students carry iPods and MP3 players which pick up radio signals not to mention the stereos located in classrooms all over campus. However, this system would do no good if the students can't remember the station because they are never tuning in.

Let's get USM more with the times. Rock out WUSM to all kinds of music, get students to report news, gossip, and entertainment and help accent the diligent work that goes into making The Printz.

University radio stations have their place and I believe they should be there to service the students. After all, we are the ones footing the bill.