Seattle Pacific University is full of unique student voices and opinions that enrich the campus. When it comes to giving these voices a chance to be heard on campus or anywhere else, SPU’s student-run radio station KSPU was and continues to be an invaluable resource for student life.
When it comes to production at KSPU, fourth-year marketing student Sage Driscoll, who serves as station manager, plays a big part. It is her job to make sure that while she plans events and keeps things organized, she leaves the content of programs to the DJs.
“There’s no process that we have in telling DJs what to do,” Driscoll said. “We don’t micromanage or tell them what to play. We have rules, laid out in our DJ guidelines but we do not prohibit the types of music played or what is said in the songs. Since we’re a non-profit and we stream, we don’t have too many restrictions.”
As station manager, a big part of Driscoll’s role is keeping things going and looking towards the future of the station. She explained that KSPU is made up of many different people working together to keep things strong. Because of her position, it is her responsibility to lead them as they bring the station into the future.
“My role in KSPU is to oversee all the staff members on KSPU staff, no matter who they are,” Driscoll said. “I make sure everyone’s doing their tasks. I do have some influence over what gets done as well though. I’m briefed on what we’ve done in the past so I try and help carry on those positions as I try and continue traditions that may have been stopped during COVID.”
While KSPU is an important part of student life, an important aspect of maintaining that relevance is always looking toward the future. Third-year international relations student Cole Sievert, broadcast manager at KSPU, believes that creating opportunities for students and artists is the best way to keep the station going.
“In the future, we want to have bigger events with more local artists playing,” Sievert said. “I think bridging the gap between people at SPU and the artists who live among them is a really fun thing to be able to do.”
When it comes to engaging with campus culture and giving students an unfiltered voice to broadcast, there is no alternative to KSPU. Driscoll hopes that many listeners will leap from just tuning in to being a part of KSPU in one way or another.
“We open up submissions to apply to become a DJ, and if you become one there are not many restrictions,” Driscoll said. “We do a lot of podcasting now, and that’s something that I’ve helped open up as station manager, and we really let people do what they want, but make sure we have some influence. There’s a lot of opportunity for people to join and be a part of what we do.”
KSPU prides itself on being able to give students who are interested in broadcasting an opportunity to do so. When it comes to what makes a particular program great, KSPU’s faculty advisor Liz Gruchala-Gilbert is passionate about providing a platform for students.
“KSPU has always been an outlet unlike any other on campus where all students have the opportunity to express themselves using their love of music,” Gilbert said. “Listening to the passion and joy in their voices as they tell the stories behind the songs that they have chosen to play or just hearing the storyline through the progression of songs, that’s when KSPU is at its greatest.”
Anyone interested in listening to KSPU can do so at mixlr.com/KSPU, and for updates, students can find them on Instagram @kspu.
