What do student newspapers do, and why should we care?
By Jasmine Chow, Associate Editor
Why do student newspapers persist, despite the existence of professional publications?
Few academic papers have been published on this topic. Media historians tend to overlook student newspapers, despite them being one of the oldest categories of audience-targeted publications. For over two hundred years, university students have been publishing articles—and their fellow students have been reading them.
How did student newspapers get their start?
The identity of the oldest student newspaper has been debated and is difficult to parse. In Canada, the University of New Brunswick’s The Brunswickan, founded in 1867, claims to be Canada’s oldest student publication. Dalhousie University’s The Dalhousie Gazette, on the other hand, claims to be the oldest continually operating student newspaper in North America since its first publication in 1868.
Here at the University of Toronto, our unique network of colleges and satellite campuses has left us spoiled for choices of student newspapers. Consider The Medium, University of Toronto Mississauga’s independent student newspaper, or Victoria University’s very own The Strand.
Student newspapers arose from the need to keep the campus community informed on both local and global events. According to author Kaylene Dial Armstrong, a study of over two dozen American student newspapers revealed the top reasons why students start newspapers: accessibility of unbiased information to the masses was one, especially during pre-social media times. Others include the desire to see their writing in print, to represent their school community, or to become a voice for change in the face of adversity.
These sentiments are echoed by student newspapers here on campus. The Varsity’s inaugural publication on October 7th, 1880 declares: “…Our intentions are very demure: not a guiding star, not an interpreter, but a register of opinion in and out of the University in matters of education; an [unbiased] annalist of University life; and, in this last [connection], a strenuous advocate of what constitutes individual well-being.”
How have student newspapers impacted campus life?
It’s difficult to quantify the impact of student newspapers. After all, most readers of any genre of writing are just that—silent readers.
Throughout the University of Toronto’s history, however, student journalism has paved the way for change and given students a voice.
Before the University became the diverse community we know today, it was a school solely for men. Although there was nothing outright excluding women in the University code, women were not admitted to University College. During this time, graduate William Houston wrote in The Varsity (also in its 1880 inaugural edition—clearly a time of tumultuous change) arguing for women to be admitted to the school.
“The sexes intermingle in the family circle, they are allowed to intermingle at school, they intermingle as members of society, and yet the opponents of co-education take the ground that they must not be allowed to attend the same classes, read the same text-books, and pass the same examinations for fear of moral contamination,” Houston wrote.
It was not until 1884, after years of debate and self-advocacy by female scholars, that they were finally permitted to join men in lectures. But articles such as Houston’s helped publicize this injustice and pressure the University to make changes.
Student newspapers continue to report on issues on campus today. A 2022 investigation by The Varsity into accusations of sexual assault and academic harassment against the University of Toronto Mississauga professor Robert Reisz led to protests calling for his termination. Among the 2024 CUPE strikes, student reporters took to the scene to educate students on why exactly their TAs were going on strike. And over summer of 2024, student newspapers across campus reported on the People’s Circle for Palestine encampment on the University’s front campus lawn, sparking debate within the community.
Despite being relatively small-scale productions, student newspapers can certainly make big impacts.
Why is the history of student newspapers important?
The answer is simple: because students care.
We care about what we write and what we put out into the world. We care about learning more about campus life. Most of all, we care about each other and the community that we share. As long as students continue to write, others will continue to read, fostering discussion on campus.
The history of student newspapers reflects both our past and our present. Students at the University read and write to keep track of their own history in unique ways—for the good of themselves, their communities, and beyond.
