DARTMOUTH – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s radio station WUMD will sign off on June 26 at noon, the university announced on Friday, after 42 years on the air.
The University sold its 9,800-watt Federal Communications Commission license to operate WUMD 89.3 FM to Rhode Island Public Radio for $1.5 million earlier this year. The money will be used for financial aid and community engagement. UMass Dartmouth will also receive $617,100 in underwriting time on RIPR and additional on-air promotion over the next 10 years.
The station will continue as a completely online endeavor at the website, WUMD.ROCKS at 12:01 p.m. on Monday.
RIPR will continue to broadcast on its present FM frequencies: 88.1, 91.5 and 102.7 as well as make 89.3 its main transmitter, expanding their broadcast range in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
UMass Dartmouth and RIPR will also collaborate on a series of academic and community-engagement activities, including internships and public forums.
The university also said that it has committed $25,000 to the modernization of its radio equipment.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
