The Uni goes on air – Hertz 87,9 starts on its own frequency

The radio project ‘Uni-Funk’ was launched by the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies (LiLi), the Faculty of Pedagogy and the Rektorat, initially as a programme scheduled regularly on community radio at Radio Bielefeld, and produced in the recording studio of the LiLi faculty. Up until 1995, twenty-one programmes were broadcast on varied themes, such as on Luhmann’s theories, on the extended semester ticket or on the student fraternity Normannia Nibelungen. From 1995, a change to the law in NRW allowed university members to run non-profit radio stations.

In the years after 1995, members of the radio project ‘Uni-Funk’ concentrated their efforts on finding sponsors in order to secure funds for a radio station. The Westfälisch-Lippische Universitätgesellschaft (University Society) provided 10,000 DM for the acquisition of studio equipment. This was the beginning of Hertz 87.9 which, after several years of planning, has been on air since December 2000.

The Bielefeld campus radio station is supported by an association called Hertz 87.9 e.V., in which Bielefeld University, the University of Applied Sciences and the two AStAs (Student Unions) of both institutions are represented. However, a student editorial team with an editor-in chief at the helm is largely responsible for organising the station and its programmes. The majority of the team work for the radio station on a voluntary basis. At the same time, Hertz 87.9 also has an educational role: in internships and seminars, novices learn the basics of radio journalism. Students and pupils can also complete an internship at Hertz 87.9 recognised by university faculties and vocational schools. Radio Hertz is financed through the semester fees of the students.