Owner(s) Varsity Publications Founded 1880 | Editor Alex Mckeen | |
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
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