WJPZ had incorporated as an independent entity broadcasting Top 40 music in a simulation of a professional radio station, in order to provide communications students attending the S.I.

It started, unlike WERW, as a low-power AM station with 100 milliwatts on 1200 AM with its antenna atop Day Hall, but later began broadcasting with a Federal Communications Commission issued license utilizing 100 watts on 89.1 FM on February 2, 1985.

WJPZ did find some favor among students at Syracuse University and amongst Top 40 fans in the surrounding community that could hear it.

They joined forces with SU freshmen Pete Wesenberg, Kyle Rosa, and Shane Francis, who also wanted to start a radio station.

The original turntables and records were those of the University Union members and its free-form format initially consisted of indie rock, rap and alternative dance music.

In October 2010, the station relaunched and began to broadcast from its new facilities in the basement of the Schine Student Center in the Jabberwocky Cafe.