Jackson Stakeman

This semester, free newspapers will be available every weekday in 11 locations across campus.

The Newspaper Readership Program began its trial period this week, distributing newspapers at several locations on campus free of charge.

According to Dean of Student Services Michael Whaley, the goal of the University sponsored program is to increase newspaper readership by students, faculty and staff.

Under the semester-long trial program, The New York Times, USA Today, and The Middletown Press will be available Monday through Friday at 11 locations including the Davenport Campus Center, Freeman Athletic Center and several residential buildings, Whaley explained. 

Surveys on newspaper readership habits were handed out prior to the semester and will be distributed at the end of the semester, Whaley said. The results will be compared to determine how effective the program is and whether the University should continue it.

Despite positive feedback from some students, others have expressed concern.

"The only problem we’ve encountered so far was with the delivery of the New York Times [on Wednesday]," said Whaley. "The feedback I’ve received so far has been mostly positive. The only concerns so far have been over recycling issues."

Recycling bins will be placed at each distribution center, in which students can deposit old newspapers. These newspapers will be collected and recycled by the distributors.

Whaley estimated the cost of the program to exceed $30,000 each semester. After the Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA) declined to help fund it, the program’s funds came entirely from the President’s Discretionary Fund. 

"This is something [President Douglas Bennet] feels very strongly about," Whaley said.

"I’m surprised to see they are still doing it," said Alua Arthur "00, President of the WSA.

Late last year, Whaley approached Arthur about the program. According to Arthur, Whaley wanted her to propose the program to the WSA in order to get their response and help in funding it. 

However, Arthur and the rest of the WSA did not support the program. 

"[It was] a waste of money," Arthur said. "The money could be used for other things. The WSA will support the program, but not monetarily."

Whaley said Arthur had overestimated the program’s cost. 

"She emailed me that $160,000 a year was too much money, which I’d agree. However the cost is not that much," Whaley said.

Arthur responded that although she mistakenly emailed the inflated figure to Whaley, she proposed the program to the WSA with a figure of $80,000 a year.

"We had a big problem with the cost," Arthur said.

Whaley said he shared the WSA’s concerns with Vice President Richard Boyd and the senior staff, who nonetheless decided to continue with the program.

"It seems like a great idea," said Marcus Van Lier-Walqui ’03, until he was told the cost of the program. "I don’t know. Knowledge of current events is important to your education but that is a lot of money."

Other students are more confident about the program. 

"I think it’s a great idea. When I first got here I felt so out of the world," said Nick Blank ’03. "We should know what’s going on."

The first institution to try the program was Penn State University. According to statistics provided by USA Today, the program’s coordinating paper, readership of newspapers increased dramatically at Penn State. After the program began, almost 97% of the students surveyed said they read a newspaper at least once a week.

Approximately 30 schools currently take part in the Readership Program. According to Whaley, various types of schools have gotten involved, ranging from community colleges to Ivy League universities. The program’s ultimate goal is to make news and notable current events more accessible to the community.

"The program encourages students to learn about events and issues outside the Wesleyan bubble," said Jen Throp ’01. "They picked the right mode of encouragement by making the newspapers free."

Previously, the New York Times was available to students who signed up and paid through a delivery program set up by Benjamin Wyatt-Greene ’02.

"It’s sort of irrelevant now, because newspapers are being provided for free, which is ideal," Wyatt-Greene said. "It’s what I initially tried to get instituted when I tried to get the New York Times a year and a half ago."

The students who paid for the program will be receiving refunds.

"Hopefully a larger proportion of the student body will read [the newspapers]," Wyatt-Greene said. "I will look forward to not having to get up in the wee hours of the morning to get the papers now."