The Island’s only alterna- tive radio station once again has had some life breathed into its ail- ing lungs. Spearheaded by second year Chris Power, a plan is under- way to get the station up and run- ning again. The unofficial station launch is scheduled for September 29th.

HO Re< the station is organized and a consistent, quality product is underway, the _ station’s plan is to apply fora. GRIC Developmental licence. The Developmental license, in effect for three years, would enable CIMN to broadcast on low- power FM band, which could reach audiences over a five kilometer radius.

It has been a bumpy ride for the campus station in recent years. After promises of increased fund- ing and then a complete withdrawl of funds, and a threat of eviction from the barn, Station Manager Rob Mclsaac does not want to get his hopes up.

“There is a lot of organiza- tion that has to be done,” said Mclsaac about the present status of CIMN. “Volunteers have to be brought in and trained and shows and schedules have to be estab- lished.”

Power agrees but is a lot more positive about the futur of the campus radio.

“A lot of changes have to be made,” said Power, who would like to see the station’s broadcast underway as soon as possible.

Program schedules must be worked on,he agrees, but more importantly, an audience has to be built. Power would like to see a greater number of students exposed to CIMN.

_ To gain student support for the station, MclIsaac believes the station will have to prove it can provide a consistent product.

The meeting.

“People will support it if it is cool,” he said.

This consistency and sup- port will lead to an extended broad- cast and greater exposer for the Station, believes Power. Such exposure on campus and in the community could lead to sponsor- ship.

Power and other CIMN volunteer and staff plan to broad- cast to residences and to possibly improve the signal in the Pit, which

is difficult to listen to due to the

interference caused by the large amount of electronic equipement in the surrounding area.

Despite animosity towards the campus radio in previous years, BJ McCarville, UPEI student Union President says the union is taking a different approach to the station this year.

“T know there has been con- flict with the union in the past,”

said McCarville. “We are not offer- ing funding [to CIMN] right now, more support is what we can offer.”

Mclsaac is glad to see renewed enthusiasm in the station, but is apprehensive of all the work ahead. “It is like trying to get a snowball rolling,” he said, “It’s surreal. All the positions are filled, but we don’t know what to do with them [jobs].” But Mclsaac, obvi- ously weary of all the work that has been put into the station, is encour- aged by the incoming volunteers nontheless.

“Without a full time, paid station manager it is hard to get things done,” said Power, who thinks the station should be given a kick-start with the material and human resources available,while waiting for the Developmental license.

McCarville is also excited to see the number of new volun- teers.

“It is great that there are students that are ready to help on the organizational level, getting it going,” said McCarville, who is willing to do all she can to help the station off its feet. “It [CIMN] would be terrific for campus com- munication.”

Internet radio could also become a possibility for CIMN, although it would require the pur- chase of new computer equipment.

CIMN may resort to fundraisers and a media fee to secure much needed funding. A referendum has been tentatively scheduled for the spring Student Union election in order to get stu- dent feedback on the issue of a media fee.

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