Policies & Compliance

WAER Donor List and Political Activities Policy

Section 396(k)(12) of the Communications Act provides that:

"(12) Funds may not be distributed under this subsection to any public broadcasting entity that directly or indirectly-

"(A) rents contributor or donor names (or other personally identifiable information) to or from, or exchanges such names or information with, any Federal, State, or local candidate, political party, or political committee; or

"(B) discloses contributor or donor names, or other personally identifiable information, to any nonaffiliated third party unless-

"(i) such entity clearly and conspicuously discloses to the contributor or donor that such information may be disclosed to such third party;

"(ii) the contributor or donor is given the opportunity before the time that such information is initially disclosed, to direct that such information not be disclosed to such third party; and

"(iii) the contributor or donor is given an explanation of how the contributor or donor may exercise that nondisclosure option."

B. Section 397(11) of the Act states: "The term "public broadcasting entity" means the Corporation, and licensee or permittee of a public broadcast station, or any nonprofit institution engaged primarily in the production, acquisition, distribution, or dissemination of educational and cultural television or radio programs."

WAER maintains the privacy of its donors.  WAER does not sell, trade or rent its contributor or donor lists to any organization (non-profit or commercial) or any candidate, political party or political committee.  Contact development director Tracy Caryl at tmcaryl@syr.edu if you have questions or concerns regarding the privacy of your information.

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Help WAER Reach Out To Qualified Employees

Syracuse University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. When we have job openings at WAER, we strive for broad outreach to all qualified applicants. If you or your organization is in a position to refer applicants to us, WAER would be happy to hear from you.

We can provide job vacancy information directly to you in any manner you find most helpful including Email and FAX. As always, information on vacant positions at WAER can be found in the Jobs section on the WAER web site or the Syracuse University Job Opportunities web site at https://www.sujobopps.com/

To receive periodic information on job vacancies at WAER, please contact us at (315) 443-4021.

WAER sincerely hopes your company will want to assist us in insuring equal opportunity for all prospective employees.

2020_waer_eeo_public_file_report.pdf
2019_waer_eeo_public_file_report.pdf
2018_waer_eeo_public_file_report.pdf

WAER Open Financial Records Policy

Section 396(k)(5) of the Communications Act Provides that:

A. Section 396(k)(5) of the Communications Act provides that:

"Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subsection to any public telecommunications entity that does not maintain for public examination copies of the annual financial and audit reports, or other information regarding finances, submitted to the Corporation pursuant to subsection (l)(3)(B)."

B. Section 396(l)(3)(B) of the Act requires that each public telecommunications entity receiving funds from CPB shall be required:

"(i) to keep its books, records, and accounts in such form as may be required by the Corporation;

"(ii)(I) to undergo a biennial audit by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed public accountants certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of a State, which audit shall be in accordance with auditing standards developed by the Corporation, in consultation with the Comptroller General; or

"(II) to submit a financial statement in lieu of the audit required by sub-clause (I) if the Corporation determines that the cost of such audit on such entity is excessive in light of the financial condition of such entity; and

"(iii) to furnish biennially to the Corporation a copy of the audit report required pursuant to clause (ii) as well as such other information regarding finances (including an annual financial report) as the Corporation may require."

C. 1. Section 397(12) of the Act defines the term "public telecommunications entity" as:

"any enterprise which-

"a. is a public broadcast station or a noncommercial telecommunications entity; and

"b. disseminates public telecommunications services to the public."

2. Section 397(7) of the Act defines the term "noncommercial telecommunications entity" as: "any enterprise which-

"a. is owned and operated by a State, a political or special purpose subdivision of a State, a public agency, or a nonprofit private foundation, corporation,

"b. has been organized primarily for the purpose of disseminating audio or video noncommercial educational and cultural programs to the public by means other than a primary television or radio broadcast station, including but not limited to, coaxial cable, optical fiber, broadcast translators, cassettes, discs, microwave, or laser transmission through the atmosphere."

3. Section 397(14) of the Act defines the term "public telecommunications services" as

"non-commercial educational and cultural radio and television programs, and related noncommercial instructional or informational material that may be transmitted by means of electronic communications."

WAER is a Corporation for Public Broadcasting supported non-commercial educational radio station licensed to Syracuse University. A copy of WAER’s Annual Financial Report to CPB (3 years) is kept in the station’s public file for viewing during regular business hours. A copy of WAER’s audited financial statement is also made available and can also be found in the station’s public file.

As a CPB supported station, WAER must also file annually the CPB Station Activity Survey (SAS). A copy of the most recent SAS report is filed in the station's public file. Pursuant to WAER's CSG agreement, section 6.1 of the SAS (Telling Public Radio's Story) is posted here for review.

Compensation

"List the organization's five current highest compensated employees (other than an officer, director, trustee, or key employee) who received reportable compensation (box 5 of form W-2 and/or box 7 of form 1099-Misc) of more than $100,000 from the organization and any related organizations."

WAER Open Meeting Policy

Section 396(k)(4) of the Communications Act provides that:

"Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subsection to the Public Broadcasting Service or National Public Radio (or any successor organization), or to the licensee or permittee of any public broadcast station, unless the governing body of any such organization, any committee of such governing body, or any advisory body of any such organization, holds open meetings preceded by reasonable notice to the public. All persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the board, or of any such committee or body, and no person shall be required, as a condition to attendance at any such meeting, to register such person's name or to provide any other information. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent any such board, committee, or body from holding closed sessions to consider matters relating to individual employees, proprietary information, litigation and other matters requiring the confidential advice of counsel, commercial or financial information obtained from a person on a privileged or confidential basis, or the purchase of property or services whenever the premature exposure of such purchase would compromise the business interests of any such organization. If any such meeting is closed pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, the organization involved shall thereafter (within a reasonable period of time) make available to the public a written statement containing an explanation of the reasons for closing the meeting."

B. Section 397(5) of the Act provides that:

"The term 'meeting' means the deliberations of at least the number of members of a governing or advisory body, or any committee thereof, required to take action on behalf of such body or committee where such deliberations determine or result in the joint conduct or disposition of the governing or advisory body's business, or the committee's business, as the case may be, but only to the extent that such deliberations relate to public broadcasting."

As a department of Syracuse University, WAER’s governing body is the Board of Trustees of Syracuse University. As a private university dealing with sensitive information, Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees meetings are closed to the public. Portions of the meetings devoted to radio station business will be open to the public. Notice of meetings devoted to radio station business will be announced on air and online at least 7 days in advance.

Public broadcasters have adopted shared principles to strengthen the trust and integrity that communities expect of valued public service institutions.

Public media organizations contribute to a strong civil society and active community life, provide access to knowledge and culture, extend education, and offer varied viewpoints and sensibilities.

The freedom of public media professionals to make editorial decisions without undue influence is essential. It is rooted in America’s commitment to free speech and a free press. It is reflected in the unique and critical media roles that federal, state, and local leaders have encouraged and respected across the years. It is affirmed by the courts.

Trust is equally fundamental. Public media organizations create and reinforce trust through rigorous, voluntary standards for the integrity of programming and services, fundraising, community interactions, and organizational governance.

These standards of integrity apply to all the content public media organizations produce and present, regardless of subject matter, including news, science, history, information, music, arts, and culture. These standards apply across all public media channels and platforms – broadcasting, online, social media, print, media devices, and in-person events.

Public media, individually and collectively:

• Contribute to communities’ civic, educational, and cultural life by presenting a range of ideas and cultures and offering a robust forum for discussion and debate.
• Commit to accuracy and integrity in the pursuit of facts about events, issues, and important matters that affect communities and people’s lives.
• Pursue fairness and responsiveness in content and services, with particular attention to reflecting diversity of demography, culture, and beliefs.
• Aim for transparency in news gathering, reporting, and other content creation and share the reasons for important editorial and programming choices.
• Protect the editorial process from the fact and appearance of undue influence, exercising care in seeking and accepting funds and setting careful boundaries between contributors and content creators.
• Encourage understanding of fundraising operations and practices, acknowledge program sponsors, and disclose content-related terms of sponsor support.
• Maintain respectful and accountable relationships with individual and organizational contributors.
• Seek editorial partnerships and collaborations to enhance capacity, perspective, timeliness, and relevance and apply public media standards to these arrangements.
• Expect employees to uphold public media’s integrity in their personal as well as their professional lives, understanding that employee actions, even when “off the clock,” affect trust, integrity, credibility, and impartiality.
• Promote the common good, the public interest, and these commitments to integrity and trustworthiness in organizational governance, leadership, and management.

The Public Media Code of Integrity was developed by the Affinity Group Coalition and the Station Resource Group, collectively representing public television and radio stations and service organizations from across the country, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

September 2013

There are no applications requiring public notice pending at this time.
Updated: 3/11/2022