This is WBOR's NON-STUDENT application. Only community members or Bowdoin faculty/staff should use this form.
Students, use this form

 

WBOR 91.1 FM is Bowdoin College’s student and community-operated radio station, broadcasting since 1941.

WBOR broadcasts not only to the Midcoast Maine region but to the entire world via streaming on our website, wbor.org. Learn more about our extensive history at our history page.

WBOR strives to be an outlet for Bowdoin students and community members to express themselves in a welcoming community. In doing this, WBOR creates quality, independent programming that represents the diversity of the Bowdoin and mid-coast community while providing a unique student-run alternative to standard commercial radio.

Being a member of WBOR's on-air staff implies significant responsibility. This includes conducting a weekly show during your assigned programming slot and spending time each week inside and outside the studio preparing for and working to improve your show. Please take the time to thoughtfully and thoroughly complete this application.

There are two primary ways of becoming involved as a DJ at WBOR:

1. Apply for a show with a weekly timeslot, wherein DJs broadcast at a consistent time each week of the semester (aside from breaks).
2. Apply to be considered as a "DJ-on-call," meaning that in the case we're unable to schedule you a weekly time slot, we will still train you as a DJ. Once trained, you will be allowed to fill in for other DJs when they can't make it to their regularly scheduled time slot (e.g. they're sick/out of town).

You will have the chance to indicate whether you'd like to be considered as a DJ-on-call in the following pages. Regardless of your choice, all applicants still must pitch a show.

WBOR is looking for individuals with enthusiasm and creativity willing to commit the time and energy it takes to make WBOR a quality station on and off the air.

Robert Hunter '80 A.K.A “UB”

WBOR 91.1 FM is firmly committed to fostering a culture that respects and promotes diversity, inclusion, and equality. We wholeheartedly affirm that we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our station operates on the fundamental principle of providing equal opportunities for everyone involved - from our listeners, staff members, contributors, and guests, to the communities we serve and beyond. This applies to all of our practices, including but not limited to programming, hiring, training, promotions, and broadcasting. WBOR believes in the power of diverse voices to enrich our content and ensure our relevancy in the society we serve. We strive to reflect this belief in all aspects of our operation and will continue to challenge ourselves to uphold these standards. Discrimination, harassment, or prejudice in any form is unequivocally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Our commitment to non-discrimination is not only a legal obligation but also a key component of our mission to provide a safe, inclusive space where all voices are heard, valued, and respected. It's the sound of diversity, the sound of inclusion - it's the sound of WBOR.

Between the fall and spring broadcast terms, shows are guaranteed the same time slot held during a prior consecutive semester (summers excluded). That means, for instance, that someone who has a show at a given time in the fall may keep that time in the spring. The same applies to shows hosted by a DJ in the spring who returns the following fall.

The exception to this is in the case of a DJ who goes abroad or takes a leave of absence from the college without another DJ/co-host on campus to host that show. In short, a show left abandoned for a semester will no longer be guaranteed its previous time. In order for a show to keep its showtime, it must broadcast continually between semesters, with the exception of summers (summers are independent, meaning that if you host a summer show, you aren’t guaranteed the same time slot if you choose to continue the show in the fall).

Remember: There is intense competition for shows on WBOR, with the most requested time slots during the school year being: Sunday to Thursday from 4 pm to midnight. Your availability and flexibility outside of these times greatly increase your chance of getting a show!

View our current schedule to get a sense of what time slots are open. We recommend viewing the schedule using "week" view and scrolling to the next week for a clear(er) picture of what's available.
 

WBOR Rules/Guidelines

Read and bookmark our DJ handbook. You will be quizzed on the enclosed information during your DJ training, which is a required step to begin your show.

Please note the following highlights:

• You are responsible for the station during your show
• At no time are alcohol or illegal drugs allowed in the facility. Any violation of this rule will result in the immediate termination of the person in question.
• Failure to attend your show can result in your suspension from WBOR.
  • If you are going to miss a show, you must post on the WBOR Campus Groups feed seeking someone to cover.
• DJs are not to use obscene, indecent, and profane language on the air, ever.

Please read the following statement and indicate your agreement by signing below:

1. If assigned a program slot on WBOR 91.1 FM, I will dutifully attend my show every week.
2. If unable to attend because of a legitimate conflict, I will immediately seek a WBOR-trained substitute.
3. I will log all Station IDs, PSAs, and songs during my weekly shows.
4. I will treat the station respectfully, recognizing that I am responsible for whatever happens in the station and on-air during my program slot.
5. I will keep WBOR clean and organized by throwing away any trash in the station, re-filing any music left out after my show, and taking care of the equipment.
6. I will not steal or remove any items from the station, including LPs and CDs.
7. I will supervise the entry of all individuals into the station during my program slot. I understand that no more than ten (10) people are allowed in the station at any time. I will not allow entry to individuals who do not have a legitimate reason to be in WBOR, including unauthorized guests.
8. I will report any problems or concerns about the station to management in a timely manner.
9. I will continually work to improve my radio program both technically and stylistically, always striving for an entertaining and dynamic show.
10. I understand that failure to comply with all rules and regulations mentioned in this agreement – and elsewhere in this application – could result in the suspension or termination of my show at the discretion of management.

WBOR is not for profit, and as such, its DJs will not engage in either payola or plugola in any way. Payola is the term used to describe "broadcast program material that has been provided to, and aired by, a station for cash or other direct or indirect valuable consideration that lacks sponsorships identification." They define plugola as "a broadcast endorsement of some kind for which direct or indirect consideration was paid or provided that lack sponsorship identification." The FCC’s rules require that when a person or station is taking in money or something of value, there needs to be an acknowledgment of that money or value for services offered. A simple example is when a record company sends more than one copy of an album. If the station employee either keeps the extra promotional copy or happens to play this album more than others on‐air because of this gift, it is illegal unless you acknowledge this on‐air in a formal fashion. As this is difficult to track and WBOR is also not for profit, it will not engage in either payola or plugola in any way. Any instances that may seem as such should be brought to a member of management's attention. Penalties or violations of this policy may result in FCC fines and imprisonment by the Federal government. As such, all DJs will be terminated a removed from the station permanently on a one-strike policy.

Affadavit

I, having duly been sworn, hereby state that I have read and will comply with the provisions of Section 317 and 507 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. I fully understand that any person who violates Section 507 of the Act is subject to penalties set forth in Section 507(g), consisting of a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to one year or both. I also have read and will comply with the provisions of the Commission’s Sponsorship Identification rule (73.1212).

I have also read the FCC Public Notice of September 3, 1975, which sets forth the Commission’s 36 interpretations of Section 317 and Rule 73.1212. In addition, I have read FCC Public Notice 86-161, The Non-Commercial Nature of Educational Broadcasting Stations.

I also will comply with the policy of WBOR-FM to prohibit every employee having any voice in the selection of broadcast matter from (a) engaging in any outside business or economic activity which would create a conflict of interest in the selection of broadcast matter; (b) accepting any favors, loans, entertainment or other consideration for persons seeking the airing of any broadcast matter in return therefore; and (c) promoting over the air (except by means of appropriate donor announcement and the approval of the Station Manager) any activity or matter the employee has a direct or indirect financial interest.

WBOR gives priority to students of Bowdoin College. Applications with disconnected or out-of-date contact information will be immediately discarded. WBOR does not guarantee a regular weekly timeslot between broadcast terms (school semesters) to any DJ.