Administration's KTRU sale sets poor precedent

Ten years ago, Rice administrators pulled the plug on KTRU in a very literal sense, resulting in civil protests and more than 400 alumni calling to withhold pledged donations. This Monday night with the release of a Houston Chronicle article, Ktruvians were shocked to discover that it was happening all over again - with a twist. In 2000, the administration wanted to assert power and make a point; this time they seem to want $9.5 million and as little fuss as possible. Rice administrators are planning to sell KTRU's signal, transmitter and FCC rights to KUHF, the NPR and classical station at the University of Houston. KUHF intends to turn 91.7 FM into 24 hours a day of classical music, despite the failure of all previous Houston classical stations. Certainly, the loss of KTRU on the airwaves will be felt by the Houston community. People commuting to work or sitting at a desk regularly call to say how the music is making their day. Local bands laud the station as one of their greatest allies in the fight to be noticed. If you don't believe that KTRU is a veritable cultural institution in Houston, read some of what's going on at savektru.org or just pull out your computer and search "Rice sells KTRU" for a deluge of comments, support and outrage.