By Jennifer Frey
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 21, 2003; Page C01

WAMU Executive Director Susan Clampitt called a full staff meeting yesterday afternoon, where she discussed the success of the public radio station's fundraising, then, at the urging of staffers, stayed for an airing of concerns regarding its financial status, as well as complaints with management.

Clampitt did not return calls to her office, home and cell phone, but Ruth Thompson, WAMU's senior director for marketing and communications, called the meeting "the start of a long-term dialogue."

"It was a very candid discussion, and it went on for a very long time," Thompson said. "Many, many people spoke up. . . . The one answer I guess you could say came out was: 'We hear you, loud and clear.' "

According to descriptions of the meeting from several staffers, including reporter Jim Rosenberg and talk-show host Diane Rehm, Clampitt discussed efforts to raise funds in areas such as underwriting and foundation grants. One staff member who took notes said she also spoke about the change in format, the need for investment, the need for more of a corporate structure and the high quality of the station's programming.

Clampitt also told them she was disappointed that staff members had "gone out of the family" with their concerns. Rehm and others were quoted in yesterday's editions of The Washington Post expressing concerns about the station's financial picture -- WAMU has been running large operating deficits the past three years and has nearly exhausted its cash assets -- and the low morale that Rehm said was a result of mismanagement. In the article, Clampitt attributed the criticism to those "resistant to change" and said the deficits are temporary.

Later in the meeting, Rehm countered that she had taken her concerns to Clampitt and officials at American University, which oversees the station, to no avail long before speaking to The Post.

Several staffers said they welcomed the opportunity to voice their questions and concerns at the meeting but came away with little in the way of answers or resolution.

"I'm looking forward to a day when my colleagues and I can do our jobs as broadcast journalists and feel confident about the leadership of this station," Rosenberg said in an interview. "And I did not leave the meeting feeling that way."

Clampitt ended her initial remarks by stating that her office door was open and that anyone who wished to discuss the issues could make an appointment to see her. She was immediately asked by a staff member -- supported by others -- that a fuller airing of grievances be held.

"She's about to walk out of the community room and one of my producers said, 'Aren't we going to have a chance to ask you questions?' " Rehm said. "'Aren't we going to have a chance to discuss things?' And then it began."

The meeting went on for about 90 minutes, as Clampitt and other members of management fielded questions primarily about the station's finances but also about personnel issues, personal grievances and past management behavior.

Program Director Mark McDonald was confronted by staffers who felt demeaned and insulted by a quote he gave to The Post -- "I can say that the newsroom staff now works harder, have more demanding and interesting assignments, do breaking news and can be heard on our air more than once a week. . . . I'm delighted to say that they have risen to the challenge, but some reluctantly." The staff members said that suggested they had to be forced to work hard and had not done so before this administration. McDonald was apologetic, Rosenberg said, and addressed the issue in a forthright manner that satisfied him.

Still, Rosenberg, Rehm and five staffers who spoke anonymously about the meeting all said they did not feel that the discussion had narrowed the gap between staff and management. Instead, one staffer said, it only seemed to highlight how wide a gulf exists.

"I think that there has been a massive loss of trust and faith between staff and management, and now the public has become aware of that," said Rehm, "and I don't know how that's going to be reconciled."

Thompson took issue with Rehm's remarks.

"I wouldn't characterize it that way," she said. "I would say that there is work to be done. And to make a judgment, in the public media, that it can't be restored is very damning to the place where she's worked for 30 years."

Also attending the meeting was David Taylor, chief of staff for American University President Benjamin Ladner, who has yet to publicly address the situation. Several staffers said Taylor's presence seemed to be the key: "I think the ball's kind of in the university's court," one said, "and it's up to what Taylor takes back to the university administrators."

In an interview, Taylor described the meeting as constructive but not an easy one to attend.

"This was a first step," Taylor said, "and I think it was a good, constructive first step. The next step, obviously, is to be determined. Obviously, comments are taken seriously, they are listened to seriously, and . . . and I am conveying what I have heard to appropriate persons."