MUN students' union to consider closing cash-strapped CHMR-FM

Memorial University Students' Union’s (MUNSU) executive committee is recommending the shuttering of the campus radio station — and its fate could be decided next month.

In a statement, MUNSU's director of external affairs Nathan Gillingham said it is bringing a notice of motion to possibly close CHMR-FM as a MUNSU service.

He wrote the union had reached the decision following consultation with stakeholders, and as a result, it was now recommending its board of directors remove funding, space and operational oversight from CHMR-FM.

“This recommendation was informed by our recent financial audit indicating a $297,988 deficit, as well as student feedback on MUNSU service use which suggested a lower level of utilization amongst our members,” reads a statement issued Friday.

However, Gillingham wrote the motion isn’t a final decision and it will be put to a discussion at a board of directors meeting on April 1.

“We will keep members informed on any developments of this issue.”

The station's roots began in 1951 with the MUN Radio club. It later began broadcasting on the FM band 93.5 in 1987 following the approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

CBC News has previously reported on the radio station’s financial struggles.

For years, the station has been funded by MUNSU. According to MUNSU's 2023-24 financial audit, CHMR’s annual deficit has grown to nearly $200,000.

In December, CHMR held a fundraiser to raise money to update its equipment and support operations.

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