Carolinian

Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Campus News

UNCG has many clubs, organizations, a newspaper and a radio. But a television station? If anyone has seen video cameras floating around school, then you have probably been given a peek into the hard work of the students of Spartan TV.

There are only a few people that know UNCG has its own television station. Right now, Spartan TV is just a student club, but they are affiliated with the university. Alan Buck, general manager, says they are pushing to become a student organization that is funded by the school. Spartan TV has been a student club of the school since the 90s.

Spartan TV is channel 52 in residence halls and it is only available on campus. For now, they do a show on sports, entertainment, arts, and news. They also show old comedies. These programs come on every day, but Buck is trying to get more and more people interested so they can put together a full day's programming without showing two of the same shows in one day.

"More and more people are interested every semester," Buck says. "Our goal is to record all athletic games for fall of 2008 and show them on Spartan TV."

Buck also says they were looking to buy programming from a company in New York, but the group needs school support before that is possible.

They are trying to "tighten up" the daylight time; Buck hopes to completely fill the slot from 7 a.m. to midnight. He explained how far the station has come.

"Two years ago, there were times during the day that there wasn't any programming scheduled and the channel just went black," said Buck.

Spartan TV is completely run by students and work is done only on a volunteer basis. Buck just submitted a budget that he is hoping to get approved so the people working can get paid and Spartan TV can get some more equipment.

"If the budget is approved and we are able to receive funding, our ability to fill a whole day's worth of programming will increase by tenfold," Buck explained. "We just want to be a vehicle for the university."

Spartan TV will not just benefit the students who live in the dorms, but it can also be wonderful work experience for anyone in media studies. Buck says he is in need of reporters and videographers but anyone willing to volunteer will be appreciated.

"I have media studies majors volunteering but there are also political science majors. You do not have to have any experience," added Buck.

Spartan TV has a website in progress and the goal is for it to be up and running by the end of this semester.

Buck wants the student population to be patient and have faith; Spartan TV is getting there.

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