The University of Arkansas at Monticello provides The New York Times at many locations on campus. Still, students wonder how the newspaper made its way to the hands of readers and the purpose of this privilege.

    The American Association of State Colleges and Universities developed a program called the American Democracy Project to inform students about their duties as a citizen. The AASCU represent organizations at over 400 colleges and universities.

    The New York Times allows students to realize the impact of news as a way to nurture their awareness of the importance of civic actions.

     “We are currently on a trial run to see if we can continue providing The New York Times. It all depends on how many papers are left at the end of the week,” said Ranelle Eubanks, assistant vice chancellor of Academic Affairs.

    The campus receives 3,000 copies of The New York Times from Little Rock, at the reduced price of 30 cents per issue.  Little Rock acquires the paper from Columbia, Mo., and delivers it to UAM.

    The New York Times comes only to UAM, among all of southeast Arkansas. In addition to having the paper, The New York Times also provides searchable information at their Web site dating back to the 1800’s.

    “UAM needs the exposure of diverse media. It helps students think outside the box of local news, while giving them opportunity that exists from every corner of the world. The New York Times may offer that to some students,” seinor Danielle Jones said.

    According to "Involvement of Newspapers and Civics," students reading newspapers participate more in community activities and vote more often because they read in-depth articles and develop concerns on which they later desire to improve.

    Not only students benefit from access to The New York Times. The newspaper helps teachers to reinforce material taught in class. Assistant Professor of English Sarah Bloom and Instructor of English Betty Hendricks encourage their students to read The New York Times for class.

    “It’s like every student has a free textbook that would have cost them $100.  And the information is current,” said Gary Marshall, professor of speech communication.

    Teachers use the newspaper as a resource to help get a point across as well as starting discussions to develop ideas.

    Assistant Professor of English Allen Redmon said, "It occasions a number of discussions over varying viewpoints that we might never read or hear in Southeast Arkansas. Readers might otherwise only hear about them in sound bits on Fox or CNN.”

    Students wanting to pick up a free copy of The New York Times can do so at these locations:

• John F. Gibson University Center — Green Room lobby
• Willard Hall — first-floor hallway
• Babin Business Center — first-floor hallway
• Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center — outside Java City
• Math and Science Center — lobby at the front entrance
• Memorial Classroom Building — first floor close to elevators and second-floor hallway