Feeling the absence of the NY Times

The New York Times is one of many tools for students to stay informed on what is happening around the country and the world, to better understand and apply concepts learned in the classroom to real world situations.

The New York Times Readership Program has brought the newspapers, which are free to students and faculty, across Troy University’s Alabama campuses since 2009, according to Troy’s website.

However, the stands that normally hold the free papers have been empty this semester.

“The New York Times Partnership was a specific part of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, which focused on creating a culture of engaged readers,” Hal Fulmer, dean of first-year studies, said in an email.

Because the assessment period for QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) has expired, so has Troy’s subscription to The Times – for now, at least.

“I used The New York Times for group work,” said Meagan Campbell, a senior social work major from Georgiana, “(and) to analyze articles.”

According to Troy University’s website, these are just a few of the many ways The New York Times can help further education.

According to Fulmer, he and our representative from The New York Times are deciding if the newspaper will be available this fall.

“We are working, as a university, to incorporate some, but likely not all, of (the QEP’s) elements into the University as we move forward,” Fulmer said.

Troy’s QEP included the Common Reading Initiative, the College Reading Initiative and the Faculty Development Initiative.

Though all of the QEP was supporting reading, the majority of its resources were focused on books.

Don’t take this the wrong way; there is nothing wrong with books. There are things books can convey that are difficult for news articles.

The advantage The New York Times brings to the table is diversity.

Every student, regardless of classification, major or college, can find articles pertaining to any class discussion. The newspaper also features the most recent topics for students to think about.

I know I have enjoyed reading The New York Times both for class assignments and for personal reading; and I know I am not the only person who would dearly miss the presence of the newspaper.

“I would like it back because I enjoyed reading it,” Campbell said, “and being caught up with the latest news stories.”

The impact that the newspaper has on Troy University students is substantial, and the staff should do everything in its power to bring it back.

It is a small investment that yields so much in the way of critical thinking, life applications and gathering news that pertains to us as a student body.

Edited 9/3/15