KEOL-FM Rules and Regulations

Last Update: September 21, 2004

Table of Contents:

Other Important Documents:

KEOL FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

KEOL-FM Mission Statement:

KEOL-FM exists for the enjoyment and education of all members of Eastern Oregon University and the community of La Grande. All students, staff and faculty members are welcome to become a member of the KEOL DJ staff. All students on staff are invited to compete for the management positions. KEOL-FM encourages diversity in both its staff and musical format. KEOL’s broadcast license is owned by the Eastern Oregon University Board of Regents and is licensed as an educational, non-commercial FM radio station by the Federal Communications Commission. The station receives funding from EOU student fees. Because KEOL is a Non-commercial radio station, we do not seek revenue from local businesses for on-air advertisements; however, the station may conduct fundraisers to supplement the budget.

Requirements to be a DJ
In order for an individual to become a DJ at KEOL-FM, they must fulfill the following requirements:

• The candidate must be at least sixteen-years old
• Be an Eastern Oregon University student, staff, faculty member or alumnus
• Successfully complete (for credit) the FM 1 Broadcasting course offered at EOU with no less than an 80%. Another option is that a candidate may wish to challenge the class. In this case, they would be required to take the FM-1 Broadcasting final exam and pass an air check lasting one hour (this includes faculty wishing to become DJs)
• Have successfully demonstrated knowledge of standard on-air techniques by passing mentor sessions and air checks as directed and monitored by the Station Manager, Program Director or an appointed air check official
• Uphold all KEOL-FM, F.C.C. and Eastern Oregon University rules at all times
• AND/OR Be approved to be on the air by KEOL-FM Station Management

Back to Top

Seniority

When you graduate from the FM-1 Broadcasting course, your grade will be applied to the seniority list. KEOL-FM uses a seniority list to delegate the selection of shows. Each term, DJs that declare sub status will receive 2 points. DJs that do their show throughout the term will receive 5 points. Breaking station rules will result in a loss of seniority, and could be subject to suspension. You move up the list by doing shows, and as DJs above you break rules or leave the station. DJs may also move up the seniority list by volunteering time to KEOL. When you first join the station, your shifts in seniority can be substantial. As you move up the list, seniority changes are slower. It may take you three or more years to reach the top 10.

Selection of Air Spots
New spots will be allocated using the seniority ranking of DJs. Beginning with the DJ who has the highest seniority, and continuing down the list, 3-hour air spots will be chosen by each DJ. The list will be repeated if necessary until all shows are filled, or until everyone has as many shows as they want. If you select a show, you are responsible for being there. If you can't do your show, you need to find a substitute. Notifying management that you will not be able to do your show is not sufficient, and it will result in the loss of seniority. However, notification of at least one week and evidence of an extensive sub search will prevent point loss. To find a sub, use the seniority list and begin calling DJs or post a request on the listserv "keoltalk". You are responsible for all of your shows. Once you have found a sub for your show, post the information in the studio. If you do not post the information and your sub does not show, you may still be responsible for the show.

Available Air Spots
New spots are selected at the FIRST staff meeting of each academic term (usually the first Sunday after the term in Badgley Hall at 7:30pm). Air spots vacated or still vacant during the term will be filled on a seniority basis, then on a first come first serve basis. At the end of each FM 1 Broadcasting course, DJs with more than one air show will be required to give up a show of their choice to provide air space for new DJs graduating from the class. If the show isn't chosen by the new DJs, it is still the responsibility of the vacating DJ to cover the show.

Back to Top

Music Rotation
MAXIMUM Rotation for any song will be 4 hours.

In addition, you may not play more than four songs by the same artist or group during a show without prior management approval.

Play lists are mandatory for all DJs during all shows.

All DJ's must be polite on the phone. Requests may be taken, but it is not required that a DJ play any requested song.

Use of the over-the-air phone jack is strictly forbidden without prior approval of the KEOL-FM management. To obtain permission for use of the on-air phone jack, you must submit your request to KEOL management and state what you intend on using it for (i.e. contests or interviews). You must do this EACH TIME you wish to do a show using the on-air phone jack. In addition, after you have been permitted to use the on-air phone jack, you must get the caller's permission before putting his or her voice over the air. Remember, you are responsible for what is said over the air, including what your callers say. Use of the over-the-air phone jack  is a privelege reserved for DJs with a minimum of three years experience.  To obtain permission, you must submit a written request to KEOL management each time you wish to to utilize the on-air phone jack,  stating your intended usage (i.e. contests or interviews).  DJ's using the on-air phone jack  must obtain permission  from each caller prior to putting their voice over the air. DJ's are responsible for what is said over the air, including what your callers say.

Verbal Abuse and Profanity
An operator may not make any negative comments concerning KEOL-FM, its staff or management over the air. This includes comments about other music formats. Violating this rule will result in loss of at least 15 seniority points. Using profanity during a broadcast is a violation of Federal Law set forth by the FCC. Fines of up to $10,000 and prison sentences may be imposed upon the offender (DJ). Administrative action by Eastern Oregon University, including probation or suspension may also be imposed. This includes your guests and callers, as you are responsible for their actions. NO SPOKEN PROFANITY IS ALLOWED OVER THE AIR.

Most of KEOL-FM's CDs and albums have been screened and songs containing profanity have been clearly marked "not for airplay". Between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00pm, these songs are not to be played. Between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00 am, these selections are permitted. DJs on the air at those times are required to read a disclaimer. This is located in the PSA folder as PSA #499 and must be read as programmed whether or not you are planning to play CD's containing profanity. Failure to do so will result in a loss of 15 seniority points.

If you receive a complaint about the content of your show, politely refer the caller to the Station Manager. Playing profanity during the late night slots is allowed. Being rude and argumentative to callers is not.

Some songs have been marked, "Late Night Airplay". These songs are allowed between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00 am.

If a DJ finds a song that has profanity, but is not marked, don't play it. If you are not sure, wait and ask a member of management.

DJs who bring CDs and other material from home are responsible for their content at all times on KEOL-FM. Profanity includes, but is not limited to:

-Any ethnic, racial or bigoted words or slurs
-Any offensive slang used to describe the gay or lesbian community
-Any word that describes in an offensive manner any sexual organ, sexual activity, bodily function or excretory function

KEOL-FM Management will look past the use of the following words if they are in the lyrics or title of a song: ASS, HELL, and DAMN. "Son-of-a-bitch" and "bullshit" are acceptable in a song, but they may not be spoken over the microphones.

NOTE: PROFANITY OVER THE MICROPHONES IS NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME.

Profanity over the microphones will result in at least a 15-point loss in seniority, and the DJ could be subject to suspension. On the second offense, the DJ in question will be suspended for a minimum of one full academic year to indefinite suspension, faced with further disciplinary action taken by the administration of Eastern Oregon University, and is susceptible to all FCC fines.

Back to Top

General Policies

Station Identification
The station ID for KEOL-FM is "K-E-O-L La Grande" No other ID is acceptable. The call letters should be said clearly and slowly. The FCC Requires the ID at the top of every hour. Within two minutes before or after the top of the hour is acceptable. Choose your song selection and timing wisely; for example, do not begin an extended song that you know will exceed the allotted time to do an ID. An official ID is also required whenever the station signs on or off the air. This is included in the sign on/sign off text. DJ's who are late or miss ID's will lose 15 seniority points.

SIGN OFF CHECKLIST

• Fade up the DJ2000 on board in studio. If DJ2000 is not operating then...
• Stop your last song and/or make any closing comments
• Read the sign off (PSA #500 in folder) Read the Sign-Off exactly as it is printed. Light bed music is OK. There should be nothing on after you have read the Sign Off
• Turn off the transmitter (the black switch in lower-left corner)
• Leave on hallway lights.
• Lock the front door. DO NOT LOCK THE STUDIO DOOR. Security does not have keys to the studio door.
• If you do not feel safe, request a security escort to your car.

Notices
Any new notices, changes in rules, announcements from management, etc, will be clearly posted in the studio or the keoltalk listserv. It is the DJ's responsibility to read these notices and take heed of them as they apply to each DJ.

Finals Week and Holidays
DJ's are responsible for their show from the staff meeting in which they pick their show until Midnight, Friday of Finals week (see exception below). This includes all holidays.

DJ's are not responsible for their show during Finals week (starting Sunday night at Midnight) and Thanksgiving break (midnight Tuesday to Midnight Sunday) if they give written notice to the SM or PD at least 7 days prior to their show.

Declaring Sub Status
If you do not wish to do a show during a term but want to remain on the seniority list and do shows in the future, you can declare "sub status" at the first staff meeting of the term. You will not lose seniority provided you:

• are enrolled as a student,
• attend all staff meetings

Staff Meetings
All staff members are required to attend all staff meetings. Meeting times and locations will be posted in the studio at least one week prior to the staff meeting. If you cannot attend a staff meeting, you must give written notice to the Station manager by Friday on the week of the meeting. DJ's may not send somebody in their stead. It takes less then 5 minutes to make a phone call or send an E-mail. Be responsible; if you cant make it, make sure the Station Manager knows. DJ's who miss a term meeting will be subject to a penalty of 15 points. DJ's who miss two or more term meetings without informing management prior to the meetings will be removed from the seniority list. You are responsible for all information presented at staff meetings.

All KEOL and Eastern Oregon University rules apply at the term meetings. Disruptive staff members will be asked to leave and may result in a loss of seniority, and could be subject to suspension for a period of time as deemed appropriate by management.

Back to Top

KEOL-FM Property and Station Facilities

Keys and Building Entry
Keys are provided to the Station Manager, Program Director, Music Director, Faculty Advisor and Chief Engineer.

If you are arriving to perform a show and there is no one at the station or the door is locked, campus security can let you in the building. It helps both you and security if you call them at least 20 to 30 minutes in advance, so they can arrive on time and you can begin your show on time. If you have class before your show, then make arrangements with security earlier in the day to have the station unlocked for you when you get out of class. Be responsible. They must confirm that you are on the current seniority list, which is posted on the door. Security must also request to see your student ID. Their phone number is x23911 or 962-3911.

The emergency phone located in front of KEOL is not to be used to call campus security unless there is a real emergency. Getting let into the station is not an emergency.

The production room should always remain locked. If you need to use the production room, check with management.

Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
At KEOL, we have a ZERO tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol in the station, which includes the porch. Any person caught using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol during their show or during a staff meeting will be dismissed from the staff.

Smoking is allowed on the front porch only with the door closed. Anyone caught smoking inside the building will be dismissed from the staff.

Grievance Procedures
If you feel you have been treated unfairly by anyone at the station please feel free to contact the SM. If the SM cannot resolve your problem, or your problem is with the SM, contact the Faculty Advisor. If you still feel your issue has not been resolved, you may contact The Vice President of Student Affairs.

KEOL-FM Management reserves the right to change these rules at any time without notification. If you have any questions about the rules and regulations, please contact the management at 962-3698 or stop by the KEOL-FM Office during one of the posted office hours.

Any questions should be directed to KEOL-FM Management.

Back to Top

• Home • Schedule • DJs & Staff • Old Staffers •
• Multimedia • Regulations • KEOL Internet Audio Stream •