The University of San
Francisco
announced Jan. 18 that university-owned KUSF-FM was moving to an online format.
The move, effective immediately, came after USF reached an
agreement to sell the KUSF-FM frequency 90.3 to the Classical Public Radio
Network (CPRN). CPRN will begin broadcasting the Bay Area’s longtime classical
music station KDFC on the 90.3 frequency. CPRN is owned by the University of
Southern California.
The call letters “KUSF” were retained by USF, along with the
KUSF logo and the station’s music library. All members of the KUSF staff will
be offered similar positions at the online www.kusf.org,
said Gary McDonald, USF associate vice president
for public affairs and communications.
The move to online streaming gives KUSF.org an opportunity
to grow its worldwide audience. Pending final approval by the FCC, the sale
allows USF to focus on the station’s primary purpose as a teaching laboratory
for students and to invest the proceeds to support USF’s mission.
In addition to preserving classical music in the Bay Area
and refocusing on the student-learning experience, the agreement with CPRN has
the benefit of opening the door to public radio internships for USF students
interested in radio broadcasting.
Due to the contractual agreement of the sale, the university
was unable to discuss details until the public announcement was made.
KUSF-FM began broadcasting on April 25, 1977. The station
has stopped broadcasting briefly while the necessary engineering and electrical
work completes the move online.
USF President Stephen A. Privett, S.J. will meet
with KUSF staff tonight on the USF campus to discuss the university’s decision.
