Notre Dame student government has arranged for a student body-wide digital subscription to The New York Times effective Aug. 26, the organization announced in a Saturday press release.
Previously, student government provided 120 paper copies of the Times in each dining hall, as well as 120 digital passes students would claim with a different login each day.
Now, students just have to sign into the subscription once with their NetID and will subsequently have access to the Times until they graduate, the release said.
The press release cited three main reasons for the change — an ability to give all students access to the Times should they want it, decreasing paper usage and saving money. The decision to transition to an online subscription will save $7,000, according to the release, which can be reinvested in student programming.
The release said a survey of 140 students revealed 60% expressed support for an online subscription and 40% desired a scenario in which some paper copies of the newspaper remained. A plan that would provide for some paper copies in addition to the online access was initially favored but rejected after complications arose, the release said.
“Decreasing the amount of paper copies would decrease online seats by the same number, and a decrease would potentially cause regional distribution partners to stop delivering papers to [Notre Dame],” the release said. “Therefore, it was determined that an online program was the best way forward.”
