Staying connected with local, national and world news is as easy as swiping a card.
The Penn State Newspaper Readership Program was launched in 1997 and quickly became the model for nearly 500 campuses nationwide.
At locations throughout campus, students can swipe their ID+ cards and read the Centre Daily Times, New York Times or USA Today in addition to The Daily Collegian.
“In order to participate in our democratic society, students need to be conversant in the issues of the day. Newspapers deliver on that count and many more,” Penn State President Rodney Erickson said on the university’s website. “I’m very pleased Penn State has a daily Newspaper Readership Program.”
According to Penn State Pulse surveys:
• 83 percent of Penn State students read the paper in the past seven days.
• 36 percent of Penn State students had at least one instructor require regular newspaper readership as part of a class.
• 84 percent of University Park students picked up a paper directly from the newspaper distribution racks or machines.
The university said: “Data overwhelmingly support the relationship between newspaper readership and developing cognitive skills; increasing one’s awareness, understanding, and the ability to articulate views on current issues; and developing civic-mindedness. Evidence suggests a strong relationship between newspaper readership and student engagement both on campus and in the community.”
“The Centre Daily Times is proud to be part of the Penn State Newspaper Readership program,” CDT circulation director Jim Wall said. “Along with The New York Times, USA Today and The Daily Collegian, the goals of the program are to encourage a lifelong daily newspaper readership habit; increase students’ knowledge of community, national and world events; and enhance the learning environment on campus.”
