What’s really on the corner of 8th and Woodlawn

There have been approximately 3,304 words published in the IDS about IU’s potential land swap with the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta — known as Fiji. In these articles, the word Fiji is mentioned 27 times and its official name, Phi Gamma Delta, four times.

The word WIUX has been mentioned zero times.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of WIUX, Indiana University’s Pure Student Radio. We were voted second best student organization in “Best of Bloomington” this year, partially because we are one of IU’s largest student organizations. And our address is 815 E. 8th St., and it has been for 40 years. Yet in the 3,304 words written about the land swap concerning the block of houses at 8th and Woodlawn, not a single word was dedicated to WIUX.

To the thousands of students who have been involved with WIUX at 8th and Woodlawn in the past 40 years and to myself, this land swap is not about the historical architecture. This land swap is about what’s on the inside of these historical homes.

Each summer WIUX hosts Alumni Weekend, where alumni from last year and all the way to the 1960s come to 815 E. 8th St., broadcast on air and reminisce about the past. The past that was spent in the same house that I, as many other members do, consider being my true Bloomington home.

There is history in that house.  

People fell in love on the doorsteps, discovered their passion in the studio, met lifelong friends in the living room and created unforgettable memories within the walls of that house. During the 1960s and 70s, members of what was then WIUS reported on student protests of the Vietnam War at that house. Bands that have gone on to reach fame played in that house. Despite its size, many call that house “the Mansion.” But most importantly, for 40 years, we have called that house a home.

We first found out about the swap because the Herald Times published an article announcing it. No one from IU or from Fiji contacted us. My co and station manager, Joe Heath, and I had to contact IU administration to receive any information.

It’s scary, having uncertainty of whether or not you’ll have a home next year. As a fully functioning 24/7 radio station with two studios, a lot depends on our space. We are now preparing for the possible move, considering where we can go, how we can get there and what we can do interim.  

It’s an exciting time, too. The next chapter of WIUX is beginning, and we wanted people to know about it.

­— bfinkel@wiux.org