Comments from the petition: Page 21

Classical music has long been acknowledged as contributing to a well-rounded
education as well as an elevating and pleasurable cultural experience.
Depriving the Gainesville audience of such programming seriously reduces both
the benefit and the pleasure many gain from listening. Furthermore, WUFT-FM's
format includes much more in addition to classical music that enriches our
community. The important aspect of supporting our local culture will be lost.
Richard Drake's morning program allows his audience to hear of local
performances as well as interviews with local artists. Replacing items of local
interest with national talk shows is not an improvement. Finally, the claim
that the audience for classical music is not large enough to support the effort
to bring it to us is about as logical as claiming that the number of people
taking a certain type of medicine is not large enough to support the effort to
bring it to the patients.

I'm opposed to losing WUFT-FM's music-based format and I'm angry that the
College of Journalism and Communications has proposed to replace the music-based
format. If the proposed changes are enacted, I will cease to support the radio
station.
The change in format is the worst idea possible for UF and citizens of Florida.
It is short-sighted, unimaginative, uninformed.

Have heard some interesting talk programs but do miss the classical music very
much. Is a compromise possible?

Like many things these days, WUFT is being run like a business. Whether its
money or listenership its allowed its policy to follow the philosophy "the mob
rules."
Public institutions have to represent what is excluded out of "the mob rules."
Public institutions have to look out for the minorities. Unfortunately in a
capital-driven society the arts are in the minority. Its a shame that art,
which has remained throughout history as a force for positive change, peace and
spirituality is in the minority and has to be protected.
Music in particular, without visuals (like radio delivers), is one of the most
powerfully transforming art forms. Its power to transcend words and move the
human spirit is undeniable to those that experience it. Try taking out the music
in the most emotionally-moving scene in any movie or tv show and it instantly
loses its power.
Sure in a perfect world there would be classical music (not just western music)
all up and down the radio band. There would be jazz; folk music from all over
the world; there would be news and opinion representing the whole spectrum of
political philosophies. There might even be a number of local stations
producing real radio shows like WUFT did.
But for now, lets not lose the little bit of arts that we do have. I loved the
jazz all night. Who wants to hear people talking all night, repeating the same
news over and over? I have to confess that I haven't listened to the station
since I discovered all my shows are gone. After hearing news and talk all day,
it was very soothing, healing and refreshing to hear jazz each night.
I worry that a political agenda is under way. News and talk always has a
political slant. I really miss the one place on the dial where I can tune that
stuff out and be moved emotionally and spiritually. There is no where else on
the dial where one can hear classical music, jazz, Afro-pop or any of the other
genres of music represented on WUFT.
Perhaps the biggest shame is that the people of the community weren't included
on this decision. Please at least bring some of the music programming back.

My focus in this communication is primarily 89.1, WUFT-FM, for that outlet was
my place of employment in the 1980's. The trend in the media today is toward a
narrower market focus, at its worst, a "balkanization" of information and
entertainment. It's a sad thing and a shame for an institution of education to
restrict the experience of radio listening, and of training students, to just
one market element. I urge you to continue offering the entire spectrum of
culture that listeners in North Florida have expected for nearly three decades.
Remain the rich cultural and news resource that WUFT-FM was established as in
1981 at its founding. You may not believe you can be all things to all
listeners, but by offering quality and diversity in your on-air product, you
retain the reputation the station had through the years as a quality resource,
rich in diversity.

Keep it the way it has been. I rather listen to a different format as the HD
station.

The music based programming has been a mainstay of my days since retirement in
1996. I feel betrayed and bereft. How could you allow your fund raisers to
promote classic 89 as the only station of its kind in North Florida and then
destroy it? I do not have an HD radio and have been unable to find one locally.
You should restore the analog broadcasting that is so important to your
supportive audience.

Keep the music!!

Classic 89 without the classical music is a barren desert island. Please, oh
please bring back the classical music! All talk and no classical makes 89 a
dull station.

Please do not eliminate culturally-rich music from our wonderful radio station.
It saddens me to know that the higher-ups in the School of
Journalism/Communications have this on their agenda. Classic 89 is one of our
few resources for sophisticated music. As a professional jazz musician, I enjoy
the selections I hear on Classic 89 both at night and during the day. To reduce
this source of art music would be a shame for Gainesville's culturally-rich
community.