OUR HISTORY
On November 14, 1975, Canadian radio history was made. When the strains of Joni Mitchell’s “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” transmitted over the airwaves at 93.1 FM, CKCU became the first campus-based community radio station in the country.
Since our creation, CKCU has continued to be a pioneer in community broadcasting, carrying out our mandate of providing an alternative to commercial radio as a voice for the many Ottawa identities and communities not served by mainstream media. We are volunteer-driven in our content, programming, and operations. We pride ourselves on diversity, inclusion, alternative content, innovation, and accessibility.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to offer a diverse and independent radio experience that showcases, connects, entertains, and strengthens our local communities while developing future generations of broadcasters.
OUR VISION
CKCU brings to Ottawa-Gatineau high-quality radio content produced locally and independently – meaningful, diverse, and inclusive – that supports and empowers the region’s interconnected communities to stay informed, engaged, entertained, and connected.
CKCU is a Registered Charity funded by generous donors, Carleton University students, program sponsorships, and residents of Ottawa-Gatineau. In 1978, CKCU held its first annual Funding Drive, asking listeners to support community radio. Since then, Ottawans have pledged several million dollars over the years to help make CKCU the largest listener-supported radio station in the Ottawa-Carleton area.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
CKCU’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan lays out our roadmap for the future. It focuses on creativity, community connection, sustainability, and public service. The plan reflects our belief that media made by and for the people it serves is essential.
Read CKCU’s full Strategic Plan
Staff & Team Directory
Station Director | Lia Kiessling | lia.kiessling@ckcufm.com
Production Manager | Dylan Hunter | dylan.hunter@ckcufm.com
Program Director | David Aardvark | programs@ckcufm.com
Volunteer & Community Manager | Lindsay Morrison | lindsay.morrison@ckcufm.com
Office Administrator + Advertising & Sponsorship Lead | Jordan David | jordan.david@ckcufm.com
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Staff Contact: 613 903 8389 and follow the directory
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CKCU Staff are represented by CUPE Local 1281
CKCU Registered Charity Number 11910 8439 RR0001
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Board of Trustees
CKCU is a non-profit corporation, and its Board of Trustees supervises the management of the station in the interest of listeners, volunteers, staff and the public. This page includes information provided by the board for station staff and volunteers.
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Studio Location and Mailing Address
CKCU FM
Room 517 Nideyinàn
1125 Colonel By Drive,
Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1S 5B6
Consult a street map or a campus map
Office hours: Monday – Friday 10am to 4pm
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Making a donation? Thank you! Mail cheques to the address above. For E-Transfers, complete this online form and send donations to the email address there; a complete mailing address is required to issue a tax receipt. Donate securely by credit card and PayPal here.
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Music Submissions
Want your music on our airwaves?
Your best bet for getting coverage on the station is to check out our program grid on the website (under Programs at the top menu) and identify shows that play similar music. Once you’ve done that, you can reach out to the show hosts directly as most of them have contact information listed on their program pages. If they don’t, you can reach them at SHOWNAME @ ckcufm.com
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Because we’re volunteer-powered, we depend on our volunteers to program their shows.
Good luck with your upcoming releases!
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Tracking
Check our online playlists or consult our charts. We currently don’t do tracking by phone or e-mail.
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