Type | Weekly newspaper |
---|---|
Format | Compact |
Owner(s) | Varsity Publications |
Editor | Alec Wilson |
Founded | 1880 |
Language | English |
Headquarters | 21 Sussex Ave., 2nd floor, Toronto, ON, M5S1J6, Canada |
Circulation | 20,000 |
ISSN | 0042-2789 |
Website | thevarsity.ca |
The Varsity is one of the main student newspapers of the University of Toronto. In publication since 1880, it is the second-oldest student newspaper in Canada.
The paper publishes weekly during the university semesters and online throughout the year. Originally a broadsheet daily, it now issues in compact form. The paper focuses on campus affairs and issues directly relevant to all U of T students. The major sections are news, comment, science, arts, sports, and features.
The Varsity usually assumes a left-of-centre stance on political affairs. The paper is published by Varsity Publications, a not-for-profit corporation, and is primarily financed by advertisement revenues with subsidies from student levy.
Contents
History[edit]
At the height of debate on coeducation in 1880, The Varsity published an article in its inaugural issue voicing in favour of admitting women.[1]
In 1895, the suspension of The Varsity's editor, James Tucker, led Latin Professor Dale to publicly attack the administration in The Globe, which in turn led to his own dismissal.[2] University College students then approved a motion by Varsity staff member William Lyon Mackenzie King and boycotted lectures for a week. This is significant for William Lyon Mackenzie King's involvement as a member of the Varsity editorial staff and student leader. He would later become Canada's longest serving Prime Minister.[3][4]
After Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau decriminalized homosexuality in 1969, a medical research assistant placed an advertisement in The Varsity seeking volunteers to establish the first university homophile association in Canada.[5]
Notable past staff[edit]
- Barbara Amiel, journalist, Maclean's columnist, socialite, spouse of Conrad Black
- Peter Gzowski, broadcaster and reporter, host of CBC's Morningside (1982–1997)
- Michael Ignatieff, public intellectual, former academic at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Member of Parliament and former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
- Michael Kesterton, columnist for The Globe and Mail
- William Lyon Mackenzie King, 10th Prime Minister of Canada
- Mark Kingwell, professor of the University of Toronto, senior fellow of Massey College
- Naomi Klein, journalist, author of No Logo and The Shock Doctrine
- David Megginson, computer software developer
- Graham F. Scott, managing editor of Canadian Business
- Dennis Choquette, national editor of The Globe and Mail
- Linda McQuaig, Toronto Star columnist
- Tom Walkom, Toronto Star columnist
- Bob Rae, Rhodes Scholar, 21st Premier of Ontario, Member of Parliament
- Edward Roberts, 11th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Frank Shuster and Johnny Wayne, comedians, best known for the comedy duo Wayne and Shuster
- Isabel Vincent, journalist for the National Post, former correspondent for The Globe and Mail
- Clive Thompson, journalist and science and technology writer for Wired (magazine)
- Conan Tobias, editor of Taddle Creek
- Jason Szep, Pulitzer Prize winner and International Affairs Editor with Reuters
Masthead[edit]
2015-2016:
- Editor-in-Chief: Alec Wilson
- Managing Editor: Sarah Niedoba
- Creative Director: Margaux Parker
- Managing Online Editor: James Flynn
- Design Editor: Lisa Wong
- Senior Copy Editor: Sean Smith
- News Editor: Iris Robin
- Comment Editor: Victoria Wicks
- Features Editor: Alex McKeen
- Arts & Culture Editor: Jacob Lorinc
- Science Editor: Nadezhda Woinowsky-Krieger
- Sports Editor: Emma Kikulis
- Photo Editor: Mallika Makkar
- Illustration Editor: Julien Balbontin
- Video Editor: Shaq Hosein
Board of Directors[edit]
2015-2016
- Zaigham Ali, Secretary/Director
- Joshua Oliver, Chair/Director
- Alexander Wolff Marshall, Treasurer/Director
- Alexandra Rusu, Director
- Hussein Fawzy, Director
- Justin Trottier, Director
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "What was front page news in the inaugural issue of the student paper The Varsity in 1880?". History Q & A. University of Toronto Department of Public Affairs. 2002. Retrieved 2007-07-19.[dead link]
- ^ Q&A: What made the "blood fairly boil" in U of T student and future prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1895?
- ^ "What made the "blood fairly boil" in U of T student and future prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1895?". History Q & A. University of Toronto Department of Public Affairs. 2002. Retrieved 2007-09-24.[dead link]
- ^ Marshall, David B. (2000). "Dale, William". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ^ Bébout, Rick (January 2000). "Conception & birth". On the Origins of the Body Politic. Retrieved 2009-02-28.