Suvarna Garge (Editor)

The Varsity (newspaper)

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Type
  
Weekly newspaper

Owner(s)
  
Varsity Publications

Founded
  
1880

Format
  
Compact

Editor
  
Alex Mckeen

Language
  
English

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.

Contents

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's primary focus is on campus affairs and general interest news

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 a student levy.

History

At the height of debate on coeducation in 1880, The Varsity published an article in its inaugural issue voicing in favour of admitting women.

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. 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.

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.

Notable past staff

  • 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, 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

    Editor-in-chief: Alex McKeen Managing Online Editor: Jacob Lorinc Managing Editor: Jaren Kerr Creative Director: Mubashir Baweja Senior Copy Editor: Ariel Gomes News Editor: Tom Yun Comment Editor: Teodora Pasca Arts & Culture Editor: Reut Cohen Features Editor: Rachel Chen Science Editor: Shaan Bhambra Sports Editor: Sean Smith Design Editor: Vanessa Wang Video Editor: Shaq Hossein Photo Editor: Nathan Chan Illustration Editor: Elham Numan Web Developers: Isaac Seah and Tony Lee Public Editor: Sophie Borwein

    References

    The Varsity (newspaper) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA