With articles ranging from recipes and advice columns to news reports and book reviews, one of UB's oldest publications is also one of its least circulated. The ARI, UB's Jewish student newspaper, has been on campus for 25 years and is still looking for new ways to reach UB students.
With a circulation of just 1,000 copies printed three times each semester, the ARI may not be easy to find.
"It is a low distributed paper; you have to look for it," said Joe Latorre, a senior business major and an editor for the ARI.
"It's not readily available like the Spectrum or Generation," said Allison McCabe, a junior political science major. "The ARI should be more accessible for all students of UB."
Editor in Chief Erica Tannenbaum, a senior art history major, said the ARI is interested in increasing its readership and is currently working on ways to make the newspaper more accessible.
"The paper was in bad shape for a number of years," said Tannenbaum. "We have many plans and the biggest of all is getting the ARI online. Because of low publication, we aren't as recognizable as some publications on campus. Being online is a way to cut through all of that. It will expose a greater audience to the paper."
The biggest change the paper has undergone is the change in the management of funds.
"The paper recently lost its funding," said Tannenbaum. "Hillel picked up the tab and now pays for the paper to be published."
According to Tannenbaum, Hillel - the predominantly Jewish organization on campus - is the heart and soul of the ARI operation and one of the few places on campus that students can find copies of the ARI.
"If you need a copy of the ARI, anybody can go to Hillel in the second floor of the commons and pick up a complimentary copy," said Tannenbaum. "We have limited options as to where we can distribute the paper."
Students like Lisa Milford, a graduate student studying social psychology who is not familiar with the ARI, assumes the subject matter found in the paper may not be of interest to her.
"I wouldn't (read the ARI) because I wouldn't think it applies to me," she said. "I'd probably see it and think, 'it doesn't apply to me, I'm not Jewish.'"
Although the paper is a Jewish publication, it is open to all faiths and interests, said Latorre, who is Catholic.
"It is accessible to everyone. No matter who reads it, when they find it, all faiths can look at it and find something interesting."
Some students said they might be interested in picking up a copy if the ARI were more visible.
"Just out of curiosity - to know what's going on and what it's about," said Christina Fernandes, a junior biotechnology major.
Jordan Hersh, a senior sociology major, said he would be interested in reading the ARI because he would be able to relate to the content.
"I'm Jewish ... I'd want to hear what opinions are going around," he said.
Despite the problems the paper has encountered, a committed student support staff and an interesting blend of articles have contributed to the ARI's longevity.
"We have eight writers and two editors. Anyone who wants to get involved can have a great opportunity here," said Tannenbaum.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
