Despite being in publication for more than 100 years, few students know much about UNC’s yearbook, The Yackety Yack. The high costs associated with its publication and declining sales merit moving the book entirely online. Student Congress should not grant any requests for student fee money for print publication.
Two years ago, The Yackety Yack sold only about 400 copies to UNC’s undergraduate student population of nearly 18,000, with each copy costing $107.75.
Despite selling so few copies, the books still have not been delivered to those who purchased them. With so few copies of the book being purchased, the continuation of its print publication is without merit, especially with many past volumes already available online through UNC Libraries.
The purpose of The Yackety Yack is to provide a detailed account of every school year’s events to UNC students. If students are unwilling to pay such a large price for it and so few are purchasing it, then its purpose is going unfulfilled.
Print publications have been moving online to save money and retain audiences that have become more reliant on electronic media for information.
For example, Newsweek magazine announced recently that after being in print publication for nearly 80 years, it is moving to an all-digital format.
Citing the fiscal constraints of publication and difficulty reaching greater numbers of people with the print version in its decision, Newsweek echoed an ongoing trend.
The Yackety Yack should move to an all-digital format as many other publications have done so as to become more accessible and affordable.
