Copies of the New York Times and the Providence Journal will be available in the Sharpe Refectory and Verney-Woolley Dining Hall starting Wednesday. Last year, newspapers in the dining halls became available after a yearlong absence. This year, the Journal will replace the Boston Globe.
The newspapers reappeared last year as a result of efforts by the Undergraduate Council of Students. UCS representative Ari Savitzky '06, last year's Campus Life Committee chair, organized the newspaper delivery.
This year, UCS was able to switch from the Boston Globe to the Providence Journal thanks in part to assistance from Brown Dining Services, which will pay for the Journal subscription.
"My inclination would be that it's more relevant than the Globe," Savitzky said.
Last year, the Undergraduate Finance Board gave funding to UCS to split the cost of the papers with the University. The agreement did not extend into this year.
The papers will be available every day during the week and on Sundays. The cost will be about $78 per week for the Providence Journal and $210 per week for the New York Times, according to Savitzky.
"We're in a much better position this year than last year in terms of being able to procure newspapers," Savitzky said.
The program is currently being funded with money UCS set aside last year to keep newspapers available throughout the first few months of this school year.
However, while BuDS has committed to pay for the Journal, UCS has not yet confirmed the help of the administration in covering the cost of the Times subscription. This year's campus life committee chair, Natalie Schmid '06, will appeal to UFB for funds.
"UFB is very wary of giving funds to programs that the administration could pay for," Savitzky said. Problems arise because "the administration is perennially trying to cut costs," he said.
As a result, "the students generally lose out," Savitzky said.
Laura Jeanbart '07 said the New York Times was an important addition to the dining halls last year. "They help to keep us from being isolated in the world of Brown," she said.
"It's a public good," Savitzky said. "The New York Times and Brown are like peas and carrots. What self-respecting Brown student doesn't read the New York Times?"
Even if the papers do last through this year, "the long-term question isn't solved yet," Savitzky said. Because of the yearly turnover in UCS and UFB, as well as personnel changes in the administration, the struggle to find funding for the papers will continue.
"By definition, these programs are not continuous," Savitzky said.
