The UMKC TV program was not renewed after six years of service.

University shuts down UMKC TV service

By: Elyssa Brogdon

Posted: 2/11/08

UMKC TV disappeared without warning early last week and left many students, faculty and staff wondering what happened.

UMKC TV was a Web site provided by the university that offered cable TV and limited DVR options.

Peter Morello, associate professor of Communications Studies, said the original purpose of UMKC TV was to provide a more cost-effective alternative to cable and satellite TV.

Jennifer Underwood, administrative assistant of Communications Studies is disappointed the service is gone.

"Teachers could use UMKC TV as a resource in class to show something on CNN, radio production, television production, and examples of how something is produced and presented which is important to our program," she said. "…It's a disappointment that that resource isn't there for our faculty and for our students."

Dr. Alex Holsinger, Sociology, Criminal Justice and Criminology and member of Faculty Senate, said he first heard about the removal of UMKC TV in a Faculty Senate Executive committee meeting, though it was not a part of official business of the committee or the Senate.

"At the most recent Faculty executive committee meeting with the provost, Mary Lou Hines was present in order to update us on a number of issues related to the university's technology," Holsinger said. "The UMKC TV program was not a specific point of discussion, but was merely mentioned among a number of other issues relating to changes in [Information Technology] at UMKC."

According to Holsinger, Mary Lou Hines, chief information officer and vice provost for Academic Programs, explained that UMKC would not be renewed after current arrangements expired.

"The main reason for not renewing the UMKC TV program was fiscal," Holsinger said. "Most, if not all, departments and divisions on campus are often being asked to become more efficient, and Information Technology is no exception."

Morris also suggested the program was removed for fiscal reasons.

"After a re-examination of University resources was conducted, it was decided to discontinue this program," she said.

Morello said there may have been other reasons for its removal.

"We may not have been complying with the [Federal Communications Commission] regulations, so this is why it was yanked," Morello said. "I'm not sure about this, but this was my understanding."

Morello added he believes something should replace UMKC TV.

"My big concern is if they yanked something like UMKC TV, they have to have plans to replace it with something, and right now there are no plans to replace it," he said. "So it really hurts students and faculty members who use it."

Underwood looked at UMKC as a resource for those on campus to be informed of breaking news.

"During 9/11, Virginia Tech, hurricane Katrina that was our way during the day of finding out what the heck was going on in this country," Underwood said.

Some staff members speculated UMKC TV may have been removed because it was being used during work hours for non-work purposes. The university would have to monitor computer usage to know this.

In an e-mail furnished through UMKC Public Relations, Sarah Morris, assistant vice chancellor of University Communications, said this was not happening to her knowledge.

Morris said to her knowledge no similar program will replace UMKC TV.

ebrogdon@unews.com