The Protests > WKCR and Spectator Coverage
WKCR staff broadcasting in front of Earl Hall, directly across from the occupied offices in Low Library.
This audio tape, created by WKCR personnel and narrated by Robert Siegel, '68C, was presented at an event in the fall of 1968 called "KCA Night," at which campus groups offered a short skit or presentation to the incoming freshmen in order to convince them to join their activities. Normally, WKCR presented humorous, off-color programs to recruit students to work at the station; in the fall of 1968, however, the staff decided to promote the exceptional work they had done covering the student protests of the previous Spring. According to Bob Papper, the evening's presentation was a huge success and the station was flooded with freshmen eager to join WKCR.
Click on the arrow of the player above to listen to the audio tape
The Story of WKCR: 1968 (audio)
WKCR audio courtesy of Bob Papper, '69C, '70J
Duration: 16:07 minutes
In addition to WKCR coverage, the articles published in The Columbia Daily Spectator provide a unique view of these extraordinary events on campus. A compilation of Spectator issues published from April 24 to May 8, 1968 were reproduced in their entirety under the title Crisis at Columbia: An Inside Report on the Rebellion From the Pages of the Columbia Daily Spectator. These issues have been digitized and are available for viewing via the above link.