KUPS

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KUPS 90.1FM Tacoma, or commonly known as “The Sound”, is the University of Puget Sound’s own Radio Station, founded in 1968. KUPS hosts over 120 volunteer Staff and Student DJs to broadcast unique, local, and authentic programming from 7am-12am, 7 days a week. KUPS also hosts many music-industry, media, and arts events through the academic year, including a bi-annual Student Art Market, local band/artist in-studio sessions, and the end-of-semester concert known as KUPSFEST. 

KUPS is for any student, staff, or faculty at UPS.  If you are wanting to just share your music taste, or host a radio show talking about your interests, then being a DJ is for you! If you are wanting to dive deeper into the creative and music industry, then there is no better place on campus than KUPS Core Staff. KUPS Core Staff have endless opportunities to explore and grow skills in Music Journalism, Audio and Media Production, and Radio/Broadcasting Management, and get to travel to learn about radio at places like KEXP, and other large Puget Sound media organizations. 

 

Interested in Joining?

If you are wanting to DJ for KUPS, and host a 1-hour a week radio show, you can look out for DJ applications at the start of each academic semester. Core Staff applications open in the summer before each academic year, with some openings for unpaid intern positions opening up before the Spring semester. Missed the chance to get a DJ show or join our core staff team this year? No worries! KUPS hosts multiple events throughout the semester for all of the campus community to take part in. 

KUPS Events

As a Media, KUPS hosts multiple events for the campus community!
Band on Stage for KUPSFEST
KUPSFEST
Description: A one night concert hosted at the Spanish Ballroom in Tacoma, WA. KUPSFEST brings in talent from students and local Puget Sound acts. Hundreds of UPS students and Tacoma residents flock the Spanish Ballroom floor on the last day of classes to celebrate local sounds, and local Tacoma College Radio.

Hosted Date: Last Day of Classes Each Semester

Student Art Table
Student Art Market
Description: Each semester, the KUPS Media Team hosts an all-campus Student Art Market, where student artists and craftspeople can sign up to sell, and share their art and creations at the Wheelock Rotunda for one night.

Hosted Date: November 19th, 2026

Open Mics!
Description: KUPS hosts multiple open-mic events throughout the semester for student musicians to perform, and share their music! 

Hosted Date: Multiple throughout the semester

Upcoming: Oppenheimer Cafe, November 5th

KUPS Staff - Coming Soon!
Stipended Positions

As a Media, KUPS has paid student leadership positions. Explore the options below to see them!

Description: The KUPS General Manager oversees all Core Staff members, facilitate communication with the KUPS Operations Advisor and oversee all KUPS events, DJ/programming operations, and large matters like artist and concert booking. The General Manager is the main contact and advocate for KUPS between the campus and the ASUPS Director of Medias & Technology. 

Hiring Schedule: Hired yearly, at the end of the Academic Year for the following year. Applications typically open in May

Description: Oversee DJ hiring each semester, create the KUPS Programming Schedule, and manage the KUPS Music Directors and team. Work with local and student groups to host in-studios in collaborations with the production team, and work alongside the General Manager as second-in-command to the leadership of the station.

Hiring Schedule: Hired Yearly

Description: Interview in-studio and local artist on-air for programmed shows. Attend concerts in the Seattle/Tacoma area to either take press photos, or do music/concert reviews. Post and update the KUPS blog (kupsfm.com/blog), and create the annual KUPS zine.

Hiring Schedule: Hired Yearly

Description: Create all media, posters, social media, and visual art for the KUPS brand. Oversee the “KUPS Image”, and work with relevant departments to collaborate on all media needs.

Hiring Schedule: Hired Yearly

Description: Maintain booth equipment, train DJs, and set-up and manage live-sound needs at all KUPS events. Host and produce in-studios, collaborative programming hours (i.e. the Trail x KUPS Student News Hour), and manage FCC/Traffic relations. Upkeep the KUPS automation system, and record PSAs, Liners, and Legal IDs.

Hiring Schedule: Hired Yearly, Semesterly for Intern Position

Description: Bookkeep and manage all purchasing requests from departments, and relay necessary business communication with ASUPS. Secure Underwriters (paid supporters of the station), and host the Spring Pledge Drive. Marketing specifically also works with hosting off-campus events and facilitates collaboration with on/off-campus groups. Engage the campus community with ticket giveaways, merch sales, and other publicity events.

Hiring Schedule: Yearly for Director, Semester for Intern. There are two positions: (1) Marketing & Events Director, One (1) Business Director

Description: Manage DJ interviewing and programming alongside the programming director. Intake, organize, upkeep all music submissions via online and physical submission. Check-in and manage relationships with DJs in respective genre.

Hiring Schedule: Yearly for Directors, semesterly for interns. 
Includes: 
6 Music Directors: 
-Specialty Music Directors (2)
-Alternative Music Directors (1)
-Electronic Music Director (1)
-Hip Hop Music Director (1)
-Loud Rock Music Director (1)