Last week Clair County Community College abruptly shut down 91.3 WSGR-FM Port Huron MI and requested that the FCC delete its license, which it did earlier this week. The school had shut down its broadcasting program four years due to low interest and station manager Dale Merrill resigned in late November.
The school released the following statement about the shutdown of the station.
After careful evaluation, St. Clair County Community College has discontinued radio station 91.3 WSGR.
The original purpose for the radio station was to provide students in the broadcasting degree program with on-air practicum experience. Due to low interest and enrollment, the broadcasting program concluded four (4) years ago. Without the academic program in place, the radio operation was phased into a student club-oriented activity. Unfortunately, the radio club also has experienced little student interest and has been inactive for the past two (2) years.
Recent events, including equipment in need of costly upgrades, the resignation of the station manager, and continued lack of interest by students are all factors, which contributed to the decision.
While the station’s license was deleted by the FCC, the school announced it was in talks to transfer it to St. Clair Regional Educational Service Agency. The Port Huron Times-Herald states that RESA has 48 students in its digital media program with audio and video production facilities already in place with the plan to have WSGR back on the air in time for the 2018-19 school year next fall.
WSGR-FM has already jumped one necessary hurdle as the FCC today has restored the license and call letters of the station.