Since first issued in the fall of 1987, the Black Caucus newsletter The Drum has been a source of communication for members of the University's black community. While remembering its past through a special Black History month issue, it is also looking to the future by offering subscriptions to Penn State faculty.

The subscriptions are available for $2 a semester, said Neena Smith, a member of the committee that publishes the newsletter. Twelve faculty members have taken advantage of the offer, said Smith (sophomore-health and human development), adding that more orders come in every day.

Since February is Black History Month, The Drum also is planning to release an issue today to cover connective events.

"A special issue is being planned. It will be packed with all kinds of information. We will be covering the special events that take place," said Amy Robeson (sophomore-journalism).

The money raised from the sale of subscriptions helps cover publishing expenses, Smith said. Other funds are raised by the committee members.

"We sell personals for the special issues, Thanksgiving 'Gobble-grams,' and we also host games," she said.

Black Caucus also helps fund the The Drum.

The newsletter's name was chosen because many years ago in Africa the drum was the only form of communication between people. Just as drumbeats rang out carrying messages in the wind, The Drum brings news to members of Penn State's black community.

The Drum is a biweekly publication organized and edited by members of the Black Caucus communications committee. Each issue contains articles submitted by the black community.

"The committee writes articles depending on need," said Smith, who has been writing for The Drum for about a year.

Seven issues of the newsletter are printed each semester, with one or two special issues, like the upcoming February issue.

"Each issue is seven to 10 pages long, depending on the time it is put out," Smith said. "Certain issues go pretty fast."

The Drum covers Black Caucus programs and other events staffers think the community should know about.

"Certain issues contain stories that are more controversial," Smith said. "Not all views in the articles are held throughout the whole community."

Other regular features in the issues include poetry, personals, an advice column and artwork.

"People always ask if the questions for 'Roxanne and Daryl,' the advice column, are real," laughed Smith. "I just want to tell everyone that they are."

Robeson, a new staff member, said she joined The Drum because she wanted to improve her writing skills, noting she has been assigned to write about black history.

The Drum also serves as a learning experience for its writers.

"People are different, and express themselves in different ways," Smith said. "I have learned that you have to accept others people's opinion."

"You have to deal with a lot of different personalities, within the community and within the committee," Robeson said. "It's very difficult, you have to have a lot of patience. It is a lot of responsibility."