WXYC, Student Library Advisory Board stay funded

Trouble was on the horizon for two UNC student organizations, but thanks to an 11th-hour clarification, the groups are now in the clear.

At Tuesday night’s Student Congress Oversight and Advocacy Committee meeting, committee chairman David Joyner proposed bills to freeze the funding for WXYC, UNC’s student-run radio station, and the Student Library Advisory Board.

After working with congressional appointees to WXYC and the Student Library Advisory Board during fall 2014, Joyner decided to pursue steps to freeze funding for both groups because of the apparent lack of attendance at their respective organization meetings.

But both organizations were found to be in compliance. Because of this, the bills were voted unfavorably and will be retracted by Joyner.

“We fortunately found that there was no non-compliance and that our members and appointees are participating actively. It’s important that we do have these oversights, and we do have people come speak on the matter,” Joyner said.

The apparent issues were due to miscommunication from appointees, committee members and organizations, and have been resolved, Joyner said.

Senior Grant Bisher, WXYC’s music director, attended Tuesday’s meeting and brought copies of minutes and emails proving that WXYC was in compliance.

“The (WXYC) congressional people are involved,” Bisher said. “We’re always happy to have congressional appointees there and encouraging them to come.”

The Student Library Advisory Board decides how to use the library budget and normally pays for things like new technology or renovated study spaces.

“I don’t know how (the Undergraduate Library) would operate on a 24/5 manner,” said Suchi Mohanty, head of the Undergraduate Library, on the prospect of having her funds frozen.

Both organizations rely on the funding and feel that having their funds frozen would negatively impact the campus community.

“To be very honest, (freezing the funds) would impact the library significantly. It would impact students. I don’t know where the budget would come from,” Mohanty said.

WXYC is a student-run 24-hour radio station that has been on the air since 1977.

“For me, it’s a great community. It has a lot of value for a lot of people,” said sophomore Viviane Feldman, a WXYC disc jockey. “It’s where they made their closest friends, and felt that they could be a leader or manager.”

Fortunately, both organizations do not have to face those obstacles and can continue running as they did previously.

“I’m very positive we have the community behind us,” Bisher said.

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