APRIL 3, 2025 | FEATURES | By Lilly Asano (Co Editor-In-Chief)
On Sept. 30, 2022, a school-wide announcement circulated: “The New York Times Online is Now Available to all Colorado College Faculty, Staff and Students.”
As one of the most prominent news organizations in the U.S., The Times is known for its reliable and generally ethical reporting, acclaimed journalists and investigative journalism. They’ve broken major stories like the initial reporting on the Pentagon Papers that led to the NYT vs. United States Supreme Court case in 1971 and the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault report that started the #MeToo movement in 2017.
For paying subscribers, unlimited digital access starts at $1 a week or $4 a month for the first six months and then jumps to $25 a month. Through CC staff, faculty and student email addresses, however, digital subscriptions are available for free. “Seek the truth. Find new perspectives. Inform your conversations on nearly every topic. Enjoy your subscription,” reads the Today@CC post from September 2022.
Corey Hutchins, who oversees the Colorado College Journalism Institute and advises Cutler Publications, believes that free access to the news is integral to sort, understand and evaluate information.
“In our current state of news media capitalism, a lot of excellent news and information costs money to access while plenty of disinformation and bullshit is free, easy to find, or sometimes pushed right into your face through an algorithm on your phone,” Hutchins wrote in a text to The Catalyst.
Through an Instagram story poll posted on Tuesday, April 1, The Catalyst found that 92% of polled students know they can access the NYT through their CC emails. However, five of the poll’s 59 respondents were unaware of this.
In a different poll, also posted on Tuesday, April 1, The Catalyst found that 53% of students enjoy access to games the most, followed by news (25%), NYT Cooking (17%) and Audio (5%).
Through CC email addresses, students, faculty and staff can access news stories (including multimedia and interactive articles), newsletters, NYT Cooking, the Wirecutter, Audio and limited Games.
The Athletic, the NYT’s sports journalism branch, and Games are available through additional subscriptions, not provided by the school. Students can play the Mini, Spelling Bee, Wordle, Strands, Connections, Letter Boxed, Tiles and Sudoku – but they do not have stats or game archives.
The Wirecutter offers tested and proven product recommendations.
“Each year, we independently test and review thousands of products to help you find just what you need,” their mission statement reads. “Our goal is to save you time and eliminate the stress of shopping, whether you’re looking for everyday gear or gifts for loved ones.”
NYT Cooking’s interactive platform allows users to search for recipes by various criteria, with reviews and a designated user recipe box. The platform also allows you to document which recipes you’ve tried and create a grocery list.
So, why should you use your NYT subscription?
For starters, the college is providing you with free access to information, a valuable and critical tool in today’s political climate. If you like to read, the NYT grants you thousands of articles, covering national, world, cultural, lifestyle, health and critical news.
For those more inclined to consume news through podcasts, the Times offers both “The Headlines” and “The Daily.” “The Headlines” is a shorter podcast, covering the top stories daily from Monday through Friday, while “The Daily” dives into one topic for 20 minutes. Other available podcasts include “The Interview,” “The Culture Desk,” “The Opinions,” “Matter of Opinions,” “The Ezra Klein Show,” “The Run-Up,” book reviews and stories read by reporters.
As Hutchins explains, this information is only as useful as you make it.
“But access is just the first step,” Hutchins said. “[Students] also should make sure to take advantage of it. Spend an hour here and there a week on the fourth floor of Tutt. Read the New Yorker. Pick up a magazine you’ve never heard of and see if it speaks to you.”
Hutchins worries that students only read the headlines through phone notifications or social media and urges his students to broaden their news consumption.
“That’s why it’s important that students have access to some of that walled-off coverage they couldn’t read without a subscription,” he wrote. “That’s not to say students shouldn’t financially support news organizations they value if they can, but certainly not everyone has that privilege.”
But how do I access all this?
“Seek the truth. Find new perspectives. Inform your conversations on nearly every topic. Enjoy your subscription.”
Search NYT college access or follow this link.
Search “Colorado College” and activate your account using your CC email address.
Follow the remaining instructions and wait for your account to be activated.
Download the app and check frequently.