The goal of The Collegiate Readership Program is to enhance the learning environment on campus by exposing students to the news in their living, working and community spaces. The program was started at Penn State University in 1997, with the specific goal of promoting civic literacy and global awareness on campus through daily exposure to the news. The CRP provides students access to newspapers, creating an atmosphere of community awareness and preparing for our rapidly-changing, global society.

Answers to frequent questions about the Readership Program

1. How do I obtain additional information about the program?

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Collegiate Readership Program in pdf format. If you’d like a USA TODAY College team member to contact you to answer specific questions, take a minute to complete this form.

2. What are some benefits of the Collegiate Readership Program?

  • Stimulates a greater understanding of events occurring beyond the campus.
  • Helps students to develop an awareness about the world around them, understand new ideas and trends, and develop a sense of values.
  • Provides real world examples of course theory in practice.
  • Establishes a pattern among students of remaining informed and engaged citizens.
  • Opens up discussion about college issues, academic achievement, health and well-being, leadership, financial management and a life philosophy.>
  • Encourages students to think critically and form different perspectives.

3. How do students obtain their newspapers each day?

Newspapers are delivered to conveniently located displays in the lobbies of residence halls and other campus locations early each weekday morning. Students may pick up their desired newspaper(s) throughout the day. As the latest edition of each publication is delivered each morning, all unused newspapers remaining in the displays from the previous day are removed for recycling.

4. Can we offer students a choice of newspapers on a daily basis?

Traditionally, three different publications are offered each day through the program . USA TODAY, a local newspaper and a regional newspaper are a successful combination. Over 300 publications have distributed newspapers through this program. Our experience on hundreds of campuses will help us design a program that is right for your school.

5. Are newspapers delivered to campus on holidays and over student breaks?

USA TODAY will only deliver newspapers on days that your institution has designated.

6. How do we measure student interest?

Student interest can usually be gauged by the number of newspapers that are read on campus each day. USA TODAY accurately tracks this student usage and provides information to the school regarding students’ daily, weekly, or monthly consumption patterns. Additionally, USA TODAY can conduct surveys asking students for their feedback about the program and whether or not they feel it is of benefit to them.

7. What resources are available for educators?

USA TODAY has resources available to complement The Collegiate Readership Program. Faculty can access to a variety of case studies created with discussion questions.

8. How will this affect my campus newspaper?

We build strong relationships with campus newspapers and have many resources for them to utilize. As newspaper employees these students often find the availability of national and regional newspapers to be a real campus perk.

9. How much does it cost?

Cost for The Collegiate Readership Program will vary according to the size and scope of the program chosen by your college or university. The total cost of the program is determined by the number of newspapers consumed each day and each newspaper will have a discounted education rate. All display, delivery, recycling, and related services are provided as part of the The Collegiate Readership Program.

10.Does USA TODAY provide a recycling program?

Yes! USA TODAY provides recycling bins and will work with your campus to create an efficient recycling program.

11. How long will it take to begin a program on my campus?

Depending on the scope of your program, USA TODAY may be able to implement a program in as little as two weeks. A USA TODAY representative will work with you to meet your needs as efficiently as possible.

12. How do I get started?

Complete the information on our online form and a representative from USA TODAY will contact you as soon as possible.