Officials to discuss UTV-13 cable access

The fate of UTV-13's expanding airwaves will be decided during the University Council Committee on Communication's meeting Monday. The Undergraduate Assembly has unanimously endorsed cable access for UTV-13 -- the first university television station in the country. The UA has expressed concern with UTV-13's ability to upgrade its equipment, saying that UTV-13 must improve its facilities in order to be competitive within the collegiate arena. "The only way UTV-13 can gain substantial revenue is through advertising, and the only way to obtain substantial advertising revenue is to be on cable," wrote UA Chairperson and College senior Lance Rogers in a letter to University President Judith Rodin. The aim of Monday's meeting is to consider the consequences of making UTV-13 available to a wider range of viewers, according to the Committee on Communication Co-Chairperson Ira Winston. Winston is not sure how the UA's letter will affect his committee. "One immediate effect of the letter is that Lance Rogers will be present when we air the issues at the meeting," he said. UTV-13 President and College senior Heather Dorf said she expects the meeting to be more successful than past efforts. "These are the best relations that we have had with the committee members," Dorf said. According to Rogers, students have wanted UTV-13 on cable for more than ten years. Dorf said she thinks the meeting is just a formality to finalize details.