2008 Woodie Awards
Readership program and presidential debates hot topics at latest SGA meeting
Elizabeth Yates
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Campus News
The topics of last week's Student Government Association varied dramatically from talk of whether to continue the USA Today Readership Program to the SGA presidential debates.
The meeting began with a special presentation by Kathy Burroughs, a representative from the Readership Program. The program allows for three major newspapers-USA Today, the Greensboro News & Record, and the New York Times-to be distributed to six locations on campus free of charge. It has been in a trial period at UNCG since Jan. 22. The trial period ended on Feb. 18, and it must now be decided if the program will continue on campus.
Keeping the program would cost $54,000 a year, about three dollars per student per year. The charge would be added to student fees paid each semester. Although the trial seemed to go well-88 percent of students surveyed saying they would read the newspapers at least once a week if available on campus, with the New York Times being the most popular paper throughout the semester-there is some debate among students regarding the extra fee.
Burroughs quoted one student saying, "I think having newspapers is a great idea. I know some schools offer them for free, so I think anything is better than nothing," while another student disagreed saying, "I am an out of state student and pay enough fees. I can check the Internet for news."
Taking these opinions into consideration, the Readership Program has been put up on the current SGA election ballot. If the referendum is passed it could take up to a year to get the program into place. Voting takes place online and began Monday, March 3 at noon. The voting period ends on Wednesday, March 5.
A debates between the 2008-2009 presidential and vice presidential candidates followed the readership program presentation. Candidates running for the vice president position are Andrea Schronce and Brian Clark. Michael Boglovitz and Michael Tuso, who was unable to attend the debates, are running for president. The debate was lead by Makeia Taylor of the Elections and Publicity Chair.
The meeting began with a special presentation by Kathy Burroughs, a representative from the Readership Program. The program allows for three major newspapers-USA Today, the Greensboro News & Record, and the New York Times-to be distributed to six locations on campus free of charge. It has been in a trial period at UNCG since Jan. 22. The trial period ended on Feb. 18, and it must now be decided if the program will continue on campus.
Keeping the program would cost $54,000 a year, about three dollars per student per year. The charge would be added to student fees paid each semester. Although the trial seemed to go well-88 percent of students surveyed saying they would read the newspapers at least once a week if available on campus, with the New York Times being the most popular paper throughout the semester-there is some debate among students regarding the extra fee.
Burroughs quoted one student saying, "I think having newspapers is a great idea. I know some schools offer them for free, so I think anything is better than nothing," while another student disagreed saying, "I am an out of state student and pay enough fees. I can check the Internet for news."
Taking these opinions into consideration, the Readership Program has been put up on the current SGA election ballot. If the referendum is passed it could take up to a year to get the program into place. Voting takes place online and began Monday, March 3 at noon. The voting period ends on Wednesday, March 5.
A debates between the 2008-2009 presidential and vice presidential candidates followed the readership program presentation. Candidates running for the vice president position are Andrea Schronce and Brian Clark. Michael Boglovitz and Michael Tuso, who was unable to attend the debates, are running for president. The debate was lead by Makeia Taylor of the Elections and Publicity Chair.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
A. Rooney
posted 3/09/08 @ 10:42 AM EST
USA Today and other Newspaper conglomerate Collegiate Readership Programs have flatly denied in print articles that they want to steal your college newspaper readers. (Continued…)
rooney
A. Rooney
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:29 PM EST
And now for the rest of the story...
If you care about the future of college newspapers- read on:
College Newspapers- beware the USA Today and the NY Times Collegiate Readership programs and the new Quadrantone on line advertising platform. (Continued…)
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