Spring Break
Free newspapers delayed, will be available Sept. 26
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 9/16/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
09/16/05 - Last year, when Doug Fraser from USA Today approached the University of Rhode Island, there was talk of a program being implemented that would bring free newspapers to URI's students.
The Providence Journal, USA Today, the New York Times, and the Financial Times of London were to be provided at various kiosks located around campus. The students at URI were supposed to see these free newspapers starting Sept. 7. The program was delayed when, in early July, The Providence Journal pulled itself out of the program.
The program would enable students to read free newspapers outside of the library and eliminate the cost of newspapers that professors require their students to read. It could also benefit the intellectual stimulation of students and keep them up to date on national current events. Funding for the program was approved last year. A permanent increase of $7 on the Student Activities Tax was put into place, where $3 of every $7 would go directly to the funding of this program.
The program, although not put into place the first day of school, will be available shortly.
"Many professors have heard about it and are excited about this installation," Julia Monaghan, Chairwoman of the Academic Affairs Committee, and also overseer of the USA Today program, said.
They did not want URI paying for their newspapers; rather that a "barter system" was arranged, Monaghan said. Other newspapers were considered, such as The Boston Globe or the Narragansett Times to take the place of the Journal, but it was too late to arrange a program with any of these newspapers.
Monaghan tried to talk to The Providence Journal about staying, but they remained firm on not participating in the program. As the head of this program, Monaghan could still have begun the program with only three newspapers, but she felt it was necessary to ask the entire Summer Student Senate for approval.
"We had originally decided on a four-newspaper plan. I wanted clearance from the Senate before we went ahead with only three," Monaghan said.
The Senate met in mid-August, and they decided to go forth with the program. This second meeting hindered the progression of the newspaper program.
"The program should be up and running by the end of the month," Monaghan said.
Students will be able to access the newspapers using their URI ID cards starting Sept. 26.
The Providence Journal, USA Today, the New York Times, and the Financial Times of London were to be provided at various kiosks located around campus. The students at URI were supposed to see these free newspapers starting Sept. 7. The program was delayed when, in early July, The Providence Journal pulled itself out of the program.
The program would enable students to read free newspapers outside of the library and eliminate the cost of newspapers that professors require their students to read. It could also benefit the intellectual stimulation of students and keep them up to date on national current events. Funding for the program was approved last year. A permanent increase of $7 on the Student Activities Tax was put into place, where $3 of every $7 would go directly to the funding of this program.
The program, although not put into place the first day of school, will be available shortly.
"Many professors have heard about it and are excited about this installation," Julia Monaghan, Chairwoman of the Academic Affairs Committee, and also overseer of the USA Today program, said.
They did not want URI paying for their newspapers; rather that a "barter system" was arranged, Monaghan said. Other newspapers were considered, such as The Boston Globe or the Narragansett Times to take the place of the Journal, but it was too late to arrange a program with any of these newspapers.
Monaghan tried to talk to The Providence Journal about staying, but they remained firm on not participating in the program. As the head of this program, Monaghan could still have begun the program with only three newspapers, but she felt it was necessary to ask the entire Summer Student Senate for approval.
"We had originally decided on a four-newspaper plan. I wanted clearance from the Senate before we went ahead with only three," Monaghan said.
The Senate met in mid-August, and they decided to go forth with the program. This second meeting hindered the progression of the newspaper program.
"The program should be up and running by the end of the month," Monaghan said.
Students will be able to access the newspapers using their URI ID cards starting Sept. 26.
