The Cutting Edge: The Effect of COVID-19 on WFNP Radio

WFNP - The Cutting Edge of the Hudson Valley, is a SUNY New Paltz-based radio station run by students on campus. The Edge originated back in 1971 when a group of students worked to create the radio station. The studio was set on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building back in 1973 and still stands there to this day. Things are a little different than they were back in the 70s. Today, we are facing some of the scariest times in decades.

Coronavirus is like nothing most people have ever seen before. Many people are being affected by the virus and are confined within the walls of their own homes. Same can be said for The Edge. A radio station that has roles assigned to many different individuals to ensure things run smoothly is now being forced to function without access to the studio. How can you produce segments remotely? Are things more difficult or easier from home?

The outside of the studio on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building.

Teavon Allen, second-year digital media production major, is the production director for The Edge. In his role, he is responsible for all pre-composed audio elements that go on air. What this means is that he is responsible for the creative side and development of public service announcements and various station identification elements that they play on air.

What is your podcast about?

“As a production enthusiast, I am also a host of The Culture Report, a show on The Edge which is also podcasted.” said Allen. Allen’s podcast is about “The Culture,” with each installment of the podcast Allen and his two co-hosts try to discuss an array of topics and issues relating to the Black and Latinx community. The goal of The Culture Report is to produce an entertaining show that still has a sense of substantive value. Allen says they focus on "race relations and the development of minorities." He explains that they look locally and worldwide, and at "pop culture as well.” They also try to spread awareness to up and coming artists and entrepreneurs within the community.

Is the podcast still being produced?

“At the current moment, we, unfortunately, are not still on the air. Due to the sudden disbursement of students from campus, we have not been able to continue to produce the program.” said Allen. Production of The Culture Report has come to a halt since classes and extracurricular activities were shut down on campus. Coronavirus has ruined the rest of the semester for The Culture Report but Allen still remained hopeful for the future saying, “...we are working with technical staff at the university to see if we can continue to produce the program remotely over the summer.”

How would producing after the semester ends work?

“The goal for over the summer is to produce the show remotely. We plan on using a third party calling system that allows us to all be on a “call” together. Allowing us to have a conversation and record it at the same time.” said Allen. This would allow for Allen and his co-hosts to practice social distancing during the pandemic while still producing The Culture Report. Allen is hopeful that this will occur because he is eager to get back in the studio.

Taevon Allen in studio working on production.

Does the podcast not being produced affect your grade at all?

“The podcast hasn’t had any effect on courses as it is independent from my studies. It counts in the realm of an extracurricular.” said Allen. Allen made it known that school work is the main focus at the moment and that is one of the reasons that The Culture Report is on hold for the rest of the semester.

Are any of the stations shows still running/being produced? If so by what means?

“Yes. Because we have full-time university staff members who assist and advise with the station, they were able to receive special access to record special news segments to go on air. Besides that, the station has been running on automation. This means that a computer is in charge of broadcasting music and legally required station identification elements rather than an actual DJ or host being in the studio.” said Allen. WFNP has still been able to air certain messages and music even without much studio access. The automated system allows for things to run smoothly without a DJ in the studio.

Many radio stations across the nation have had to move to remotely producing their shows. It has been done so what’s the hold up with New Paltz? Some other schools have been able to keep production alive while being away from the studio. Susquehanna University, a private school in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, has been able to keep their student run station alive through a software called Zetta which allows them to voice track audio from home. Allen made it known that WFNP does not have that same software but he would love to start working with it. New Paltz should look to invest in a software like Zetta or something similar so if The Edge ever needs to broadcast remotely again they would be able to do so with no problems.