WSIA 88.9 - Staten Island's ONLY FM Radio Station
Tune in to the only FM radio station on Staten Island. CSI’s all-student-run, all-student-fun radio station. Do you want to be a DJ, sharing songs from your favorite playlist? How about running a radio station, or being a music director, a sound engineer or broadcasting the news or sports? If that sounds appealing to you, WSIA is your home for radio.
From eclectic music to news and public affairs programming, as well as on-campus sports, WSIA 88.9 FM is proud to serve the College of Staten Island and the local community.
WSIA brings to the airwaves music that is not readily available on other radio stations, including the work of independent artists and local and unsigned bands. WSIA also provides news and public affairs programming, including interviews with local politicians, community members, college faculty, and students.
The Student Activity Fee fully funds WSIA. These monies cover the costs of students gaining hands-on experience in broadcasting on air and all the expenses required to operate a functioning radio station.
Contact Information
Dr. Tyler McLoughlin
Associate Director of Student Life and Operations
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Getting Involved
Thank you for your interest in being a part of Staten Island’s only FM radio station and a 43 year institution at CSI! WSIA-FM is Staten Islands very own, and only, FM Radio Station. WSIA-FM allows students to connect with people in the community and all over the world via the radio and our web stream.
- WSIA's first workshop reviews the history of the station going back 43 years and the expectations that the station has of members. Afterwards we go into detail about our 7 departments and what they do, for example Personnel is recruitment, Music is responsible for the music that is played on our airways etc. Lastly we go over our general rules, bylaws, visitor policies, and how to make your time with WSIA a success! ( You must attend this workshop first before you can attend the other 3 workshops).
- Workshop 2: (You must attend the first workshop to attend the second) After WSIA's first workshop, this workshop goes into more details of the stations rules such as the FCC guidelines, the do's and don'ts on-air (during your 3 hour on-air show), our public file, how we track music, how to avoid payola and plugola, and many more important things that will prepare a student to take on the responsibility of being a member at WSIA.
- Workshop 3: (You must attend the first and the second workshop in order to attend the third) The third workshop moves away from talking about rules and regulations of the station and focuses on the Daily Operating Log. The Log is a legal document that WSIA members use during their shows. The FCC can use these documents to track what we are doing and to make sure that we are operating within parameters. This workshop is a review of how the Log is supposed to be filled out because if we make errors or mistakes on this legal document, we could face fines or loss of our license.
- Workshop 4: In order to take this last workshop, you will need to have attended all three workshops that WSIA has hosted prior. During the 4th workshop students go into WSIA's on-air studio. We review some of the topics from the previous workshops with additional information about on-air expectations, how to operate the sound board, and much more. After the 4th workshop students will have to take an entrance exam to become a member of the station before they are trained by our staff or our Directors on how to do their show. Note that you have up to one week to take your entrance exam before you will be expected to retake the workshops in order to join. The Personnel Director will send out study sheets after each workshop to help you prepare for the exam. Those who fail the exam are welcome to re-take the exam at a later date.
Mission and Goals
To train students in broadcasting and leadership skills. Through membership, these students will develop self-efficacy and a professional skillset that can be used in any career path.
We use our airwaves to educate and entertain the Staten Island community. Through our unique alternative radio programming, we look to serve the student's interests at the College of Staten Island and our greater community.
To meet this mission, WSIA’s goals are as follows:
Internal Goals:
1. To provide students with a safe and fun working environment and offer constructive activities outside class time.
2. To train the next generation of industry professionals by providing experience in a broadcast environment.
3. To develop leadership skills, including decision-making, conflict resolution, budgeting, and event planning.
External Goals:
1. To provide unique and diverse programming to our listeners and a platform for local and underrepresented artists.
2. To work collaboratively with the College community to promote the College of Staten Island and its programs.
3. To actively participate in community events such as concerts, parades, and charitable functions.
History
In the mid-1970s, a group of students interested in radio gathered in a broom closet in the E Building of Staten Island Community College. They ran sound to the Middle Earth Lounge and started spinning records. Eventually, these students wanted more and petitioned the college for an FM license. The license was finally acquired in the very late 1970’s. In the early 1980’s, they found a tower site and were granted a construction permit.
In 1980, a General Manager was hired to get the station on air. It took a year to work out an agreement with The Archdiocese of New York for an antenna site, install phone lines for the transmitter site, and complete construction of the studios in the basement of the E building on the Sunnyside campus.
On August 31, 1981, WSIA began regularly scheduled programming. It was the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work by college members and students. Yet, it was only the beginning. Since then, many students have been trained to become staff members. Some have gone on to successful careers in radio. Others look back on WSIA as an important part of their student experience.
Several changes have occurred since 1981. The station's offices and studios have been enlarged and improved. Our operating budget has increased from $8,800 to over $100,000 annually.
In 1985, the College showed its commitment to WSIA by picking up the salary of the General Manager. Previously, this had been paid out of student fees. In 2015, when the General manager left, no replacement was made due to a hiring freeze. The Chief Engineer absorbed the tasks completed by the General Manager. As of today, the station is overseen in its day-to-day workings by the Chief Engineer and the Associate Director of Student Life and Operations. The on-air programming has also undergone many changes over the years. Yet, students have always been committed to two things:
1) Being innovative.
2) Serving the Staten Island and CSI (College of Staten Island) (College of Staten Island) Community
Thanks to our staff's many years of hard work, we enjoy excellent relationships with many members of the broadcast industry, such as record companies, musicians, artists, independent producers, clubs, and promoters.
In August 2021, WSIA celebrated 40 years of broadcasting on 88.9 FM. WSIA also broadcasts online at www.wsia.fm, making our programming available worldwide!