Josephat Iyamuremye
Special to The Leader
McEwen 303, the new space WNYF will be temporally operating out of. Photo by Zachary Baehr.
Zach Heiman expected his first semester as WNYF-TV’s Chief Engineer to involve cameras, microphones and technical problems. Instead, he is helping figure out how to move an entire television station.
WNYF-TV the student-run television station, has been without its regular studio since a flood damaged its space in Hendrix Hall on April 15, 2026.
The student-run television station is now preparing to operate from Room 303 in McEwen Hall.
For WNYF General Manager Zachary Baehr, the night of the flood started like a normal Wednesday.
He and Alex Matt were putting on their lavalier microphones and helping the camera crew prepare for “News11.”
Then members wearing headsets suddenly became confused.
Baehr and Matt were told to remain seated while other students began yelling from across the station.
“[former General Manager,]Sam Fallone came back into the studio and let me and Alex know that we were flooding and that we would not be running news for the night,” Baehr said.
Soon after, the fire alarm went off as water entered the editing suites. Members went outside into the rain while contacting Facilities Services, University Police, emergency services and other WNYF members.
The flood damaged two computers in the station’s editing suites and some archived materials.
For Baehr, however, losing access to the station itself was the biggest loss.
“The space as a whole was the biggest loss,” Baehr said.
Some of WNYF’s history had already been digitized by former member Anna Sheehan, according to Baehr.
However, he said he does not know exactly how much of the remaining archive was damaged.
The physical archives that remain are still in Hendrix. Baehr said the station is waiting for a decision on where its overflow storage will eventually go.
Heiman is helping determine what equipment needs to be moved and how the station will be set up in its new location.
Baehr also manages equipment, handles technical problems and helps students get cameras and microphones for their production.
Most of that equipment remains in Hendrix. Heiman said station members have worried about another flood while waiting for the move.
After another period of heavy rain, WNYF members covered some equipment with trash bags, Heiman said. They were trying to protect what they could in case water entered the building again.
Questions about relocating WNYF existed before the flood. Heiman said administrators had discussed possible moves over the years, although station members did not have a definite relocation plan.
Baehr described the April flood as the event that ultimately forced the relocation.
He said some members had previously raised concerns about the condition and maintenance of Hendrix Hall.
WNYF is now moving into McEwen 303 because the space is largely unused and will not regularly interfere with classes. A first-floor studio was also considered, but Baehr said a class will need that space during the spring semester.
The new location comes with limitations. It is smaller than the Hendrix station, meaning WNYF will have to reduce the size of some productions and rely more on remote broadcasting and post-production.
“We are kind of still in limbo until our equipment gets moved and we can actually get settled,” Baehr said.
The room will also need changes before it functions like the former studio.
Heiman said the station has discussed adding more sound-dampening materials and possibly a partial wall to create separate production areas.
WNYF would normally already be producing shows at this point in the semester. Its main program, News11, is a live half-hour news broadcast normally produced on Wednesday nights.
Students are also allowed to create their own programming.
Members can pitch show ideas and use WNYF cameras, microphones and other equipment to turn those ideas into productions.
Even without its regular studio, WNYF can continue some work outside McEwen 303. Heiman said the organization has remote broadcasting equipment that can be used for events such as hockey and basketball games.
Baehr said WNYF means more to students than simply having access to television equipment. He described it as a place where students can learn while becoming part of a community.
“It is a safe and inviting space to learn and grow your skills with cameras and writing,” Baehr said. “WNYF is one of the big reasons why we chose to come to Fredonia.”
McEwen 303 may not be the final destination. Baehr hopes WNYF could eventually return to Jewett Hall, where the station once had a long-term home, if a permanent space can be incorporated into the building.
For now, WNYF members are focused on rebuilding what they can and keeping the organization active while they wait to see what comes next.
“Don’t let the move scare you away,” Baehr said. “It’s a fresh start for us all.”
Photos:
WNYF-TV students work inside the control room in Hendrix Hall before the April flood. Photo by Zach Baehr.
Room 303 in McEwen Hall is the next home for WNYF TV. Photo by Zack Beahr