BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University trustees signaled they’re willing to consider unplugging the university’s public television station but want to hear from the community first.

The board Thursday approved a resolution authorizing BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey to participate in a Federal Communications Commission auction, though she will return to trustees for final approval.

The broadcast spectrum for WBGU-TV could be traded or relinquished at next year’s auction, which is intended to open up more room for wireless broadband providers.

“Today’s resolution will allow us to move forward with our due diligence efforts and exploring the options that are available to us, gathering additional input from the public and stakeholders and also working with the FCC on the application process so we are able to meet their deadlines should the board ultimately decide to participate,” BGSU spokesman Dave Kielmeyer told the board.

A few station supporters at the meeting wore WBGU-TV shirts and expressed hope afterward that the station would be spared. The meeting did not include public comments.

“My preference would be that we don’t change,” said Michael Jones, a recent BGSU graduate who studied visual communication technology and worked at the station for two years. “Give us the opportunity to continue doing what we are doing. We can provide the university a fantastic marketing tool, as we have in the past. We can provide the university with a fantastic recruitment tool, a great retention tool, and a great educational platform for creative media students.”

A couple trustees asked for assurances that Thursday’s action won’t commit the university to participating in the auction. Incoming chairman David Levey called for an open, public process.

“It’s complicated, and it affects a lot of folks,” he said.

The FCC’s reverse auction could mean millions for BGSU. Opening bids for the Toledo market could begin as high as roughly $170 million and then drop, though Mr. Kielmeyer said $40 million is a more realistic estimate for the Bowling Green spectrum. The university expects to learn more about the value this fall, after which it will have 60 days to let the FCC know if it wants to participate.

“This is the only time in the foreseeable future that the university would have the opportunity to generate revenue from its broadcast spectrum,” said Mr. Kielmeyer, who also oversees the station.

The university would make the most money at auction by ceasing operations entirely, but could also collect revenue by moving to a VHF channel or channel sharing with another station. 

The station employs 17 people full time, and about 50 students a year. It has a $2.5 million budget, of which the university provides $420,000. The rest comes from federal and state support and gifts.

WBGU-TV is the only public television source available to viewers in the Lima and Findlay areas who rely on antennas. It also produces programs of regional interest on BGSU athletics, a game show, and local documentaries, among other content.

Margaret Tucker of Bowling Green, whose late husband, Duane, helped found the station, said the board’s vote to pursue possible participation wasn’t what she hoped for.

“They have committed now publicly that there is going to be input from the constituency and that’s the most we can ask for,” she said.

Contact Vanessa McCray at: vmccray@theblade.com or 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @vanmccray.

First Published June 19, 2015, 4:00 a.m.