Arthur (newspaper)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arthur | |
|---|---|
| Type | Student Newspaper |
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owners | Trent University Student Body |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Editorial position | left-wing |
| Headquarters | 751 George St. N, Peterborough, Ontario |
| Editors-in-chief | Julia Caron and Sara Swerdlyk |
| Website | Arthur website |
Arthur is a Canadian student newspaper, often referred to as The Arthur. It is the official organ of the Trent University student body. The paper is funded through a $9.50 non-refundable levy from every full-time student at the university. Articles for Arthur are produced by a staff collective of paid staff and volunteer writers which meets weekly to plan the next issue. The collective elects one or more chief editors who serve a term of one academic year in an administrative and editorial role. Julia Caron and Sara Swerdlyk were elected as the 2006-2007 editors-in-chief.
Arthur deals mainly with news related to the Trent and Peterborough communities, but also features arts, sports, national, and world news.
Historically, Arthur has had a left-leaning political stance. In the past articles have focused on issues such as corporate boycottism, socialism, vegetarianism, gay rights, corporate presence on campus and accountability in university administration.
Arthur has a circulation of 3,000 copies and is a respected news source in the Peterborough and Trent community. Many insightful and controversial discussions take place on their popular website. Their office is located in historic Sadleir House, 751 George Street North, in Peterborough.
Former editors in chief include Dave Tough, of the band the Silver Hearts, as well as Lisa Whittington-Hill, current publisher of This Magazine.
The first editor in chief was Stephen Stohn, now executive producer of the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. It was Stephen who gave the newspaper the unusual name Arthur. Many believed incorrectly that he came up with the name because of the legend of King Arthur, and indeed the Trent University crest has a sword rising out of the water, as in the King Arthur legend, so this was quite plausible (though the sword depicted is meant to be Samuel de Champlain's). In fact, the name arose from Stephen's love for the Beatles: in the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night when George Harrison is asked what his hairstyle is called, George replied simply "Arthur". Likewise when a friend asked what the student paper would be called, Stephen quipped "Arthur" and the name has carried on to this day.
