The future of CMU's Public Broadcasting network, which has served viewers for over 30 years, may rest in Gov. John Engler's hands.
Under a Federal Communications Commission mandate, commercial television stations are required to convert their signals from analog to digital signals by May 2002, and non-commercial stations are required to update their signals a year later.
"The FCC made that decision - a universal decision - several years ago," said Edward Grant, PBS director. "This is part of the entire change in the proposed method of delivering broadcasting signals."
Enhancing CMU's system would cost between $15 million to more than $17 million, Grant said.
"Other parts of the world have already converted because of the higher level of capabilities of digital TV, both in visual and video, and in the transfer of communication data."
Thus far, no federal funds have been given to help public TV stations upgrade their signals. PBS officials are keeping tabs on a state supplemental appropriations bill which would earmark almost $16 million for the digital conversion. Rep. Sandy Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, said the bill asks that $15.9 million from the state's surplus be used for the PBS upgrades, with CMU receiving $6 million. The bill passed both the House and the Senate and awaits Engler's signature.
"At this stage, the governor's intention appears to be to veto that particular amount," Grant said.
John Truscott, the governor's director of Communications, said the supplemental bill should reach Engler within the next week.
"The governor will veto that provision, because $15.9 million is only the first phase. PBS is asking for $50 million, and they're asking for more than any other state," Truscott said.
He said Engler feels the FCC mandate is unfounded and that the technology doesn't live up to its promise.
"There are other ways to deliver a signal, such as through the Internet. The governor doesn't believe this is a technology that will benefit the people of the state of Michigan. We suggested PBS use a broadband at certain hours of the day for educational purposes.
"Many commercial stations have consolidated, but public television hasn't done anything to become more efficient."
Truscott said the 10-percent rise in state funding slated for CMU for next year should help pay for the upgrade, and said the federal government should provide funding as well.
But Caul said she and other legislators disagree with Engler's view on the upgrade funds.
"We're working very diligently to assure that the governor signs that bill to provide the base funding for a federally mandated program that has to take place in three years," she said. "We really feel that the program should be funded. I think our public broadcasting programs are very important here in the state.
"It's distressing that the federal government is requiring the state to pick up the bill. We don't require programs without funding. We really feel this is an asset to our schools and we're trying to get those dollars to our universities throughout the state."
Judi Sullivan, executive director of the Network for Higher Education and Government Relations and executive assistant to the president, also said the mandate is problematic.
"It's frustrating to have a federal mandate and then not get any help to do it. It's too soon to tell what kind of funding we'll seek, but it's very disappointing the governor doesn't support state funding," she said.
The United States has utilized analog television - which uses an analog signal essentially made up of sound waves that travel through the air - for the past 50 years. Grant said digital television, or DTV, is transmitted using a digital signal rather than an analog signal. The digital signal is capable of holding more data and receives less interference than an analog signal.
Once a station has converted to digital, it will not be allowed to turn off their old analog signals until 2006, or until at least 85 percent of viewers can receive DTV signals. Current converter boxes receive DTV signals but digital TV receivers are recommended.
There are 13 PBS stations in Michigan. The CMU network consists of six stations, including the university-licensed station on East Campus Drive, and covers the largest area, from Central Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. Grant said all stations must fight for the upgrade funds.
"We're all in the same boat, except the dollars aren't as big with the others. We have a higher cost of conversion, because we cover a larger area."
Grant said most of the costs involved in upgrading CMU's broadcast system pertain to the greater number of TV towers, transmitters and antennas it uses in its large coverage area.
University President Leonard Plachta said the university will provide some help in upgrading PBS, but still needs a lot of help.
"We already went the extra mile when the board passed a resolution, at my recommendation, to give $4 million for that project to move forward," he said.
"It's very hard to say what will happen with state funding to help that out. We were hoping the federal government that passed that law would provide some funding. It's a $17.5 million dollar expenditure, and I think that's just impossible for CMU to provide all the funds. It's a very expensive proposition."
In May 1998, approximately 350 students, staff, faculty and community members protested outside Warriner Hall, calling for Plachta's resignation after he had expressed doubts about keeping PBS at CMU.
Protesters also remembered the late Russ Herron, former secretary to the Board of Trustees and vice president for University Relations, who had been a staunch supporter of PBS. Herron had been fired by Plachta on March 30, 1998 for what Plachta called "reorganization." But many protesters believed Herron, who worked for CMU for 39 years, was dismissed because of his support for PBS.
Herron passed away January 1999. He had been granted emeritus rank in September 1998.
Caul recalled the protest two years ago and said she knows many people believe in PBS at CMU.
"I remember some of the discussions here when they were making changes at Central, and I think there was a tremendous amount of public comment, about not only retaining but enhancing those services," she said. "So we feel that this bill is just another step to make it compliant and to continue the outstanding service PBS provides to the people in the listening area."
Less than 24 hours after the CMU protest, trustees approved a resolution to reaffirm its commitment to keeping PBS. The board also voted last May to seek external funding for the conversion of the station to digital technology.
In addition to state funding for the digital upgrade, PBS officials also look to two other sources for financial help. Grant said the federal government could provide money in the future and CMU's PBS network will also undertake private capital campaigning.
"I think it will happen," Grant said of the digital upgrade. "I think the funding is critical to be able to serve the same audience it now serves. If state funding is not available, there may be reductions in the coverage area"