Students tuning in for the premiere of UB's new campus television program, SA TV, were treated to a blank screen Monday night.
According to SA President Christian Oliver, the UB administration and Residence Hall Association was concerned about liability and the content of SA TV programming. Oliver said SA is ensuring that SA TV complies with federal regulations and is approved by the university administration. SA TV is tentatively set to premiere next Monday.
Once up and running, the program will air on the campus channel 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and will repeat immediately afterward from 9 to 11 p.m. New episodes will air every two weeks.
The two-hour show will feature the return of UB's comedy news show "Action News," which has been renamed "SA Action News." It will also provide promotional spots for SA clubs and events put together by SA Video, which documents SA club events.
"We offer students the opportunity to be at events that they cannot attend. We will give them a sample of it," said LeRoy Wellington, the video director for SA Video and co-creator of SA TV.
During the 2002 fall semester, Wellington and Oliver decided to revive the SA Video organization and UB TV, both of which were relatively inactive over the last three years.
Oliver said SA TV has the potential of being one of the best ways that the student government can communicate with its students.
Robert Imbs, senior media studies major and co-director for SA Action News, said he is excited about the return of SA TV.
"This is a very good thing for students to have," Imbs said. "It stinks to be a media student with nothing to go to."
Lori Peterson, president of Women's Lacrosse, said SA TV will bring more fans out to games and increase awareness.
"This is important for the growth of the club and would only bring positive results," Peterson said.
Kory Collins, president of UB's branch of the National Society of Black Engineers, agreed.
"I think video coverage is a very effective way to show the collegiate community the numerous events and activities that NSBE hosts and participates in," Collins said. "It shows people what we do and may even get them to attend our events and join the organization."
However, Cory Hill, president of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance, said television promotion of clubs would not necessarily increase membership, since students are resourceful and will seek out the clubs on their own. But Hill said television coverage of LGBTA events would garner more recognition for different clubs on campus.
"When people are diffused into diverse societies, they acclimate to all the different cultures, race, religion and creeds," Hill said. "Having our events aired will be more of an acceptance from people than a tolerance."
Jason P. Wesolowski, the president of UB Anime, said SA TV may increase clubs' exposure, but its success is not guaranteed.
"The only problem I could foresee with this is if people don't watch SA TV, they would not be able to see said promotions," Wesolowski said. "Therefore, to be effective, SA TV needs to be attractive to the students."
Oliver and Wellington are working on getting SA TV shown in the commuter lounge, as well as having designated televisions placed on campus running the program.
"Keep your eyes out for a world premiere in the Student Union Theater," said Oliver.
Oliver said he is confident that once the show is aired, students will find SA TV both entertaining and educational.
While SA Action News is the only traditional television program SA TV will feature, Wellington hopes to have other shows created and provide the general student population with a hand in the show creation process.
Wellington said he is seeking to gauge student interest for a monthly show dealing with political debate on current issues. Participants of the debate could be either career politicians or students.
"I would like to see a variety of panel discussion with different students and different opinions on air," said Wellington.
