WEMU public radio is facing a budget shortfall as its fiscal year comes to a close Tuesday.
A final appeal sent out via email said the station—the public-radio outlet at Eastern Michigan University—was $20,000 short as of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. It's trying to close the gap by 4:00. At the start of the day Tuesday, the gap was about $35,000.
Following Eastern Michigan University receiving a 15 percent higher education cut from the state, WEMU promised in January 2011 to cut $250,000 out of its budget over the next three years.
Due to donations from listeners, the station was able to run without cuts to programming last year, even with the $50,000 loss in funding from the university.
This year WEMU was responsible for raising an additional $100,000 to sustain its programming, according to appeals from the station. The station held pledge drives in the fall and spring, which brought in donations from listeners, but not enough to cover the cut. The station's overall fundraising goal for the year was $750,000.
The station has until the end of Tuesday to come up with the money necessary to maintain daily operations. Without the money, WEMU will be forced to make some cuts.
What compromises the station will be forced to make if they can’t raise the necessary funds is unclear. General Manager Mary Motherwell said in a post to the WEMU website the station may be forced to go to syndicated programming, cut out some specialty music programs, and broadcasting live on weekday evenings may not be sustainable.
WEMU is asking listeners to support local radio by making a donation or joining the sustainer program, which offers a monthly donation plan.
WEMU broadcasts at 89.1-FM and online at www.wemu.org.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.