Circulation up after alternative bi-monthly begins printing on softer biodegradable rag paper
Jacob Pacey
Contributor
Beleaguered by cold whether and exams, many students received a welcome surprise this week after the YU Free Press (YUFP) released it’s newest issue on a two-ply cotton blend paper, making it “more comfortable on the skin, much softer, and far less irritating,” according to one group of students.
According to editors of the YUFP, a bi-monthly, extreme-left-wing student publication popular among political science grad students, activists, and people that need to line their bird cage, the paper had been experiencing a drop in readership and the Editorial Collective in charge determined that a revamp was in order to attract new readers.
“We experienced a lot of disagreement initially regarding what was necessary to up our readership,” explained one editor, who would only give her post-oppression name, Wheatgrass.
“At first we considered trying to change our content,” says Wheatgrass, in reference to past articles that have collectively mounted blanket knee-jerk opposition against approximately everything, ever. “But we eventually decided that instead of trying to re-invent ourselves and give into the oppressive neo-liberal reaction to our progressive content, we would rise above that criticism and stay true to who we are by being the first campus paper to print on 100 per cent sustainable, fair-trade cotton-hemp-blend paper.”
Despite the expensive nature of printing on such paper, editors have been adamant that this was a sound decision, citing a 400-per-cent increase in pickup in the last 72 hours as evidence that the new edition is indeed attracting readers.
“I think we really made a statement about how the neo-liberal media is ruining the environment with their printing practices, and I think students really got what we were saying. The reception has been very positive.”
However, when students were asked what they thought about the soft, pliable-yet-absorbant material on which the new edition of the YUFP was printed, many were indifferent.
“I guess it’s kind of cool,” said third-year psychology student Charlie Hebdo, who admits he has never really read the YUFP and says of the one time he did pick it up, it reminded him of an “old copy of Pravda,” and he found it hard to take seriously.
“I picked up like six of the new copies when I spilled a can of pop in Vari Hall the other day though, so that was kind of useful. It’s really absorbent,” adds Hebdo.
“I suppose the actual content of the paper isn’t really for me, but I think other students like it,” remarks Hebdo. “The other day I was in the bathroom and saw some guy take two copies into the stall with him. I guess he was going to read it on the toilet. Why he needed two, I have no idea.”
DISCLAIMER: This issue contains works of satire. All names used in this story are invented, except in cases where public figures are being satirized. Any other use of real names or events is accidental and coincidental.
