CPB Community Service Grant (CSG) Compliance - WCMU
As a Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Community Service Grant (CSG) recipient,
Central Michigan University and WCMU present this information and documentation to ensure
transparency in business matters to the general public.
Contact WCMU
Rick Westover
Interim General Manager
989-774-3457
Eligibility Criteria
WCMU-TV is an existing Grantee that receives a TV CSG grant each year; is the licensee of one or more over-the-air DTV stations operating under a valid FCC license; completes and submits all reports as required by CPB: TV Certifications of Eligibility (due June 30); TV CSG Agreement (due June 30); TV IC Agreement (due June 30) TV DSG Agreement (due June 30); TV USSG Agreement (Due June 30), Certified Annual Financial Report (due Nov 30); Audited Financial Statements (due Nov 30); Annual Station Activities Benchmarking Study (due Feb 15) ; Annual Station Activities Survey (due Feb 15); Local Content and Service Report (due Feb 15).
WCMU-FM is an existing Grantee that receives a Radio CSG grant each year; is the licensee of a full-power non-commercial educational radio station operating under a valid FCC license; completes and submits all reports as required by CPB: Radio Certifications of Eligibility (Due June 30); Radio CSG Agreement (due June 30); Radio RSG Agreement (due June 30); Certified Annual Financial Report (due Nov 30); Audited Financial Statement (due Nov 30); Annual Station Activities Survey (due Feb 15); Local Content and Service Report (due Feb 15).
WCMU Governing Board (CMU Board of Trustees)
WCMU TV and FM are licensed to the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University. Central Michigan University's Board of Trustees consists of eight members appointed by Michigan's governor with the consent of the State Senate and with authority granted through the state constitution. The board governs the business and affairs of the university. For additional information and to see a list of the members of the Board of Trustees, please visit: https://www.cmich.edu/about/university-leadership/board-of-trustees/about/members
Community Advisory Board
WCMU TV and FM are owned and operated by a state university and therefore are not required to have a Community Advisory Board.
Open Meetings Policy
WCMU TV and FM are licensed to the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University.
The Trustees comprise the governing body for WCMU. The CMU Board of Trustees follows an
opening meetings policy.
Click here to view this policy.
The Board of Trustees meets several times per year. The meeting dates, agendas, and minutes are publicized on the Central Michigan University website at
https://www.cmich.edu/about/university-leadership/board-of-trustees/schedule-of-meetings/agendas-and-minutes.
WCMU TV and FM will make on-air announcements on three consecutive days, at varying times,
once each calendar quarter. These announcements provide guidance on how the public may
obtain information on the time, dates and location of Trustees meetings. Notice of these
meetings will be sent via letter, email, fax, telephone or in person to individuals who
have specifically requested notification.
Financial Reporting Requirements
WCMU makes the annual Audited Financial Statements and Annual Financial Reports submitted
to CPB available to the public, both online at the station's website, and in paper along
with the stations FCC Public File in the main office: 1999 East Campus Drive,
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859.
WCMU adheres to a discrete accounting system, which allows the grantor and auditor to
discretely track funds within the accounting system.
WCMU Audited Financial Statement - 2023
Diversity Statement
Elements of diversity important to public media work
At WCMU Public Media, we are committed to an environment that embraces and celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and ensures inclusion for all. We believe that the strength of our organization lies in the diverse experiences, perspectives, and talents of our staff, student employees and interns, volunteers, members, and the citizens we serve. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we strive to create a more inclusive media landscape reflecting the rich tapestry of our society.
Extent to which the staff & management reflects such diversity
As of May 25, 2023, the WCMU staff is comprised of 30 full-time employees, 1 part-time employee and 2 volunteers. The 21 men and 12 women that make up the WCMU staff are white, while reflecting a diverse array of age, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and background. WCMU is based in Isabella County where the population as of July 2022 identified as 88.1% White, 4.5% Hispanic, 4% Native American, 3.4% reflecting two or more races, 2.7% Black, and 1.7% Asian.
Our 9 student employees and interns are white, while reflecting a diverse array of ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and background.
WCMU is a joint licensee and departmental unit of Central Michigan University (CMU). WCMU follows the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity protocol of CMU https://www.cmich.edu/office_president/OCRIE/Pages/default.aspx , as well as CMU’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Protocol. Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees is comprised of three black women, one black man and four white men.
Efforts to increase diversity of the past 2 -3 years
At WCMU, we value and respect the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. We recognize that diversity encompasses a broad spectrum of characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, religion, socioeconomic background and more. We actively seek to amplify underrepresented voices and stories, promoting a diverse range of programming that reflects the interests and needs of our audience. We are committed to building a team reflective of the communities we serve, fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued, empowered, and encouraged to contribute their unique perspectives.
Destination Michigan, WCMU Public Television’s original series, is broadcast on stations throughout Michigan. The show features the people and places across the state that define the Michigan experience. Recent examples include Adrian Bradley - night photographer, Marc Brew - dancer and choreographer who utilizes a wheelchair, and ‘Supaman’, a Native American performing artist that blends native traditions with hip-hop. WCMU has also produced segments that honor the cultural experiences of Michigan’s citizens including a visit to the Zekeman Holocaust Center and a partnership with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe to share the story of the seven grandfather teachings. These teachings demonstrate what it means to live a “Good Life” in the Anishinaabe culture.
Every month Programming Services walks us through national public television highlights that present a DEI component so we can better promote the programs that speak to underserved members of the community.
WCMU Public Radio has added diverse programming to the schedule like CODE SWITCH featuring journalists of color leading fearless conversations about race with empathy and humor. They explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. The WCMU Public Radio news team seeks to highlight the voices of the underrepresented. We’ve reported on the rural drag scene, a feature that was recognized with a regional Edward R. Murrow award. We’ve explored struggles to find affordable housing, the concerns of Native America communities over the Line 5 Pipeline, and when library books come under fire.
WCMU has taken steps to expand access to diverse applicants for new staff positions. For instance, during the hiring effort for our last two reporters we advertised with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Native American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, Association of LGBTQ Journalists and Asian American Journalists Association.
Plans for upcoming year
We understand that creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization requires ongoing commitment, evaluation, and accountability. We are committed to regularly assessing our policies, practices, and programs to align with our values. We encourage feedback from our staff, students, volunteers, members, and the wider community. We are open to constructive criticism and dialogue.
In the year ahead, we will continue to identify professional organizations to advertise open positions. We want to attract more candidates and ultimately a more diverse pool to help our team better reflect the communities we serve.
We will continue to tell the stories and share perspectives from voices not heard as often as others. We have reporting initiatives coming together to explore the family farm in Michigan, including crops important to Native American traditions and food, and connections to Black farmers and the crops they used to signal links in the underground railroad. This fall PBS will release the Ken Burns documentary The American Buffalo, which we are seeking to share through advance screenings in some of our communities to open a dialogue about our local tribal traditions. We will continue to explore opportunities programming can bring people together from across the cultural divide to foster greater understanding, empathy, and positive social change.
Training Programs available for management and appropriate staff
The CMU Human Resources Department provides online, instructor-led, and customized
training on key areas such as leadership, diversity, communication, and legal issues.
Examples of specific topics include:
Leadership Excellence
Difficult Conversations
Violence Prevention
Safe Zone Training
Synergy From Others: Cultural Diversity on Campus
Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts
Disability Awareness Training for Staff and Faculty
Supervisors and staff of WCMU routinely take advantage of these educational resources.
EEO Requirements
All personnel hiring is coordinated with the Human Resources Department at Central
Michigan University, which exercises its own EEO policy. Further, WCMU will comply with
the hiring and reporting practices as required by FCC regulations. Yearly EEO reports are
posted on the station's website. See the pdf.
Local Content and Services Report
WCMU TV Local Content and Service Report 2023
WCMU Radio Local Content and Service Report 2022
Donor Lists
Donor lists will not be sold, rented, loaned, traded, or otherwise transferred to outside
parties. Please see WCMU’s privacy policy, which is posted on our website here.