Licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in January 1969,[3] WSIE operates with 50,000 watts of effective radiated power (ERP) at 88.7 megahertz in the FM band.[4]
A long time member of National Public Radio, they do not broadcast NPR anymore; WSIE's music programming is locally produced.[2] The station's studios are in Dunham Hall,[5] and the transmitter and 420 feet (130 m)[4] tower are located near the Supporting Services Building on the SIUE campus.[6]
WSIE is used as a training ground for students of the SIUE Mass Communications Department. Among broadcasters who received training at WSIE are Frank O Pinion (John Craddock); Megan Lynch, Ralph Graczak and Tom Calhoun of KMOX; Dewayne Staats (currently the play-by-play commentator with MLB's Tampa Bay Rays on Sun Sports); Paul Schankmann; Elizabeth Erwin; Steve Jankowski (previous General Manager); Sara Wojcicki; Frank Akers; Tom Dehner; and Tom Casey. The current General Manager is Jason Church.
WSIE also streams its programming on the internet. A separately programmed web-radio operation was previously run by WSIE, but it is now operated independently, although it remains a University activity.[7]
In 2016, WSIE faced the potential loss of its state appropriation due to the Illinois state budget crisis. The SIUE administration ordered WSIE to become self-sustaining by 2017, necessitating fundraising. The station receives tax-deductible donations on its website. Its budget is made up of underwriting (similar to advertising) and donations.[1] Today, the station receives no state funding.[8]