As a result of a recently completed review of the university’s public television station WUGA-TV, programming revisions and a reduction in staff have been announced. The station will cease local program production effective July 1 and will carry programming provided through Georgia Public Broadcasting around the clock.
The changes come in response to a study requested by UGA President Jere W. Morehead. He asked a task force to provide him with objective data to understand whether and how the TV station serves the educational interests of the institution and advances its academic reputation.
Upon receiving the report, senior administrators, including the provost, determined that the time it would take to continue to ramp up student involvement, local programming and the resultant market share to an acceptable level was just too great relative to the cost of the operation, said Tom Jackson, UGA vice president for public affairs. The change will allow WUGA-TV to continue to provide quality programs for its audience while honoring the university’s contract with Georgia Public Broadcasting, he said.
Six members of the current staff have been informed that, under the new format, their positions are being eliminated effective June 30. Each will be provided transition counseling through UGA Human Resources.
Annual savings through the reorganization are estimated to be about $565,000.