About WRUR

Partnership with WXXI

WRUR 88.5 FM is the public radio station of the University of Rochester owned by the University of Rochester Broadcasting Corporation (UORBC). WRUR has a partnership with the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council (WXXI).

Mission Statement

WRUR-FM gives provides quality programming that enriches the campus and greater Rochester community as well as provides students leadership and radio operations opportunities.

Goal of WRUR

At WRUR-FM, University of Rochester students and WXXI broadcasting professionals work together toward the common goals of providing quality programming and augmenting students’ education. WRUR-FM will benefit the lives of students, the reputation of the University, and the quality of life in Rochester.

History of WRUR

WRUR began in the fall of 1948, occupying 2 rooms in the basement of Burton residence hall and broadcasted campus-wide at 650 AM. In 1950, WRUR began broadcasting from the Eastman School and what was then the Prince Street Women's campus.
Five years later, studios were constructed in Todd Union's basement. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a construction permit and confirmation of the call letters, WRUR-FM, in August, 1965. The station broadcast on 90.1 MHz with a power output of 10 watts. In 1969, WRUR-FM was granted a power increase and the station changed frequency to 88.5 MHz.
In 1993, the transmitter site moved to the top the Hyatt Regency Rochester hotel, and power was increased 3,000 watts. In 2007, the antenna and transmitter were moved to the WXXI building and tower on Pinnacle Hill. This greatly expanded the broadcast range, especially to the east and south.
The station currently has a permit to raise power to 18,000 watts, which should be completed in the Spring of 2010. The station’s studios are in the basement of Todd Union, as well as WXXI’s Studio 280, on State Street in downtown Rochester.

The Sound of WRUR

Music is now more accessible and dynamic than ever. The internet has increased the volume of music available to listeners, and trends develop and expire rapidly. The challenge for listeners is selecting which music is of high value and lasting relevance. WRUR-FM must provide a unique service. Collectively, faculty, students, and WXXI professionals are a powerful resource for selecting which artists, in an abundant pool, are of the highest quality and have the most potential for longevity. Therefore, WRUR-FM seeks to provide Rochester with quality music that represents the culture and interests of students, the community, and the world. The station’s overall format is Adult Album Alternative (AAA). This format focuses the station’s sound without limiting the ability to provide relevant programming. The focus is on the present, but artists from the past are included to set the standard for new artists and to reflect the powerful impact music has on individuals and society.

Different Nights

In the evening the station transitions to a more open format. This ensures that the station’s ability to provide musical selections with the potential for longevity and societal impact is not limited by the AAA format.

News and Information

WRUR-FM provides news and information programming. Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and the WXXI Center For Public Affairs present the news in a style consistent with WRUR’s programming philosophy; there is an abundance of news available, but these programs select the most pertinent stories and present them in a personal and reliable way.

Brand

While the station’s musical offerings are diverse, it maintains a recognizable presence in the city by establishing a brand. The on-air image mirrors the station’s off-air community of DJs, students, faculty, and radio professionals. The unified brand is the sum of these personalities. Branding the station this way makes it feel personal and reliable. Individual members of this community will change from year to year, but listeners will always recognize the communal identity.