News has it (or shows, rather) that Barnard radio station WBAR has unleashed a new website, featuring a new-and-improved albeit bizzarely colonial layout. Noteable changes also include a “Now Playing” sidebar that features a photo for the show currently on air, a more organized online schedule, and a “Show of the Week” feature if you’re uncertain about what’s playing.

As far as our suggestions go for specific radio shows, we hear that Play With Your Radio is pretty badass — although for a real explanation of what it’s about, you should listen for yourself. Also a good bet (and with a two-year [plus?] WBAR history) is Turtles All The Way Down with David S. Another favorite, Side A/Lado B, plays a mix of Latin and English rock on late Thursday afternoons. Also, Friday morning talk show Disgruntled Optimism promises an interview with Senator Joe Lieberman every week, “as well as taped segments with various members of Columbia’s most outspoken housing staff.”

Only on freeform college radio.

Outside of the typical airwaves: a team of Columbia students premiered their own new station, S.O.A.P. Box Radio Collective, from of a campus dorm room last Friday. Defined as an alternative media project, that is a “collective first and a radio station second,” S.O.A.P. Box has been publicized around campus and within some grassroots activist circles, as well as IndyMedia.

For something away from the vicinity of Morningside Heights, Bwog editor Jessica Cohen suggests Fordham Radio WFUV’s CityScape and CD of the Week. The award-winning CityScape covers an array of New York City issues every Saturday morning while CD of the Week promises a newly released album on Thursday nights.

College radio lives?

– MIP