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St. Olaf and USA Today team up to deliver free papers to students

By David Gonnerman '90
January 17, 2005

In an effort to make daily news even more accessible for St. Olaf students, the college has established a one-month trial program with the USA Today Collegiate Readership Program that currently provides USA Today newspapers to some 200 college campuses across the country. The trial program will include establishing four newspaper bins across campus that will contain free papers for students. Before the trial period ends on March 8, the student senate will decide whether or not to continue the $5,000 program.

According to Janine Wetzel '05, coordinator of the trial program on campus, a USA Today survey of students at 19 colleges found that 68 percent surveyed cite proximity of pick-up as a factor influencing their decision to read a newspaper. "By making newspapers more available, we can promote a better knowledge of current events and the ability to incorporate that knowledge into coursework and class discussions," she says.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.