Beginning Feb. 5, four publications, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Sacramento Bee, USA Today and The State Hornet will all be available for the Residence Hall community. This is all possible because of the launch of USA Today?s pilot program to encourage newspaper readership among college students.

“This survey is to examine the readership habits of CSUS students,” said Peter Eliason, USA Today readership specialist who handles many readership programs throughout California.

With the launch of the program, a survey will also be given to examine student readership patterns. The three daily publications will be available to the Residence Hall community five days a week with an accommodating recycling bin to help cut down on waste.

The program was established in 1996 by Penn State University.

The university conceived the program and then asked USA Today to help elaborate on their idea. USA Today has now taken the lead and is helping to establish this program in various colleges statewide and nationwide, as well.

“I think it is a great idea for the students here, as long as people use it,” said Erin Hicks, ASI Representative to the Residence Hall Council.

This will only be available to the students who live on campus in the Residence Halls, for the program has yet to establish a school-wide pilot. “There are pilots for campus-wide participation for colleges, however, that won?t happen in California for a while,” Eliason said. “There are many schools in California who have this program already, schools like Pepperdine and USC as well as many CSU schools.”

“I think it?s an excellent opportunity for residents to be more informed about the world around them. It?s so easy to get caught up in your own world while living in the Halls. I hope that with this program, residents can take advantage of their resources,” said Jessica Dean, President of the Residence Hall Council.

Eliason explained that this pilot program is free of charge to schools. However, if the program is successful, then a small fee will be necessary to continue.

“There are five residence halls and once the students walk into their building, there will be an open rack holding The State Hornet, The Sacramento Bee, The San Francisco Chronicle and USA Today. Next to the racks will be recycling bins for disposal, which will be collected daily,” Eliason said.

Eliason continued to say that recycling is highly encouraged within the program.