Radio WRHU-FM (Hofstra university)

WRHU (88.7 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Hempstead, New York, USA, the station serves the New York City/Long Island area. The station is owned by Hofstra University. Beginning in the 2010-11 NHL season, the station carries the radio broadcast of all New York Islanders games.

WRHU is Long Island's oldest non-commercial educational radio station. It first signed on the air more than four decades ago on June 9, 1959. Located in the 18th largest radio market in the nation, WRHU broadcasts a digital-quality stereo signal 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The station's "line of sight" FM frequency reaches potential audience of about 5-6 million people; with approximately 80,000 regular weekly listeners. WRHU serves audiences in Nassau County, Western Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Southern Westchester County. The station has a webcast online.

Radio broadcasting at Hofstra University began when WHCH (Hofstra College Hempstead) was founded in December 1950. As a "carrier current" AM station, WHCH broadcast solely to the Hofstra campus. The station operated sporadically until June 1959, when Hofstra received a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license to operate as a non-commercial educational station on 88.7 FM as WVHC-FM.

WVHC-FM (Voice of Hofstra College, later Voice of the Hofstra Community) operated at 10 watts until 1962. At that time, the power was increased to 250 watts with an effective radiated power (ERP) of approximately 200 watts. The ERP was increased to roughly 400 watts in the late 1960s and a part-time manager was employed by the college to oversee development of the station, modifying the all-student management system established in 1959.

WVHC-FM became WRHU-FM (We're Radio Hofstra University), stereo, on July 25, 1983. The ERP was increased to 470 watts in 1989. WRHU-FM has since amended its station logo to be "Radio Hofstra University". WRHU-FM moved into a new facility in Dempster Hall in October 1994. WRHU expanded and remodeled the facility in Dempster Hall in the fall of 1999. In November 2000, WRHU produced its first webcast during the station's annual election night coverage. A year later, WRHU began webcasting all of its programming.

A cornerstone of Hofstra University's School of Communication, WRHU has six digital studios, a music archive, three staff offices, a conference room and much more. A nine-member executive board and a 23-member administrative board manage the station. With the exception of the station's General Manager, Operations Manager, Professional-In-Residence, and Chief Audio Engineer (who are Hofstra University employees), and a Community Volunteer Liaison (who is a non-student volunteer), all Executive and Administrative Board positions are filled by students. Some student management meet regularly to set and implement station operational policies.

In keeping with the legal mandates and longstanding traditions of non-commercial radio, WRHU programming consists of music, sports, news and informational programming "not readily available" on commercial stations within the station's licensed broadcast area. WRHU serves an eclectic audience with a comprehensive range or programming, including public affairs, music, news, sports, special event, and entertainment. More than 30 different WRHU formats serve the Hofstra campus and its surrounding community.

WRHU is solely owned and operated by the Hofstra University Board of Trustees. The station licensed to the Hofstra Trustees by the FCC; in turn, WRHU is subject to all applicable FCC rules and regulations governing and operation of a Class A station. Hofstra University and listener donations contribute the largest share of the station's operating budget. The station is funded to a lesser extent by underwriting, studio rental, commercial production, and other sources.

Station offices and studios are located in Dempster Hall, home of the Hofstra University School of Communication. The transmitter and antenna are located in and on Constitution Hall, situated on the University's north campus.