Guide to the San José State University Student Publications Collection

Series 1: San José State University Student Publications 1880-2004 (bulk 1960-1990)

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series documents student life at SJSU from 1880-2004, through a wide array of publications created and written by SJSU students. The bulk of the collection consists of publications created from 1960-1990, representing a time of significant change for the university in terms of student demographics, enrollment numbers, and campus expansion. The collection also includes publications from earlier incarnations of the university, including Normal School materials such as The Normal Pennant (late 1800s), humor magazines such as the Spartan Spanker (1920s), and the San José State College Times (1930s), a precursor to SJSU's current campus newspaper, the Spartan Daily.

Of particular historical significance in the collection are SJSU student publications documenting the counterculture of the late 1960s and early 1970s, which record the university's role in Bay Area social movements, as well as student perceptions of social and political issues related to Civil Rights, Vietnam War protests, and feminism. Examples include the publications The Outside Agitator, and Shaka. In addition, it should be noted that several of the publications produced during this time period were created or produced by students attending New College, an experimental, interdisciplinary liberal arts program in existence on campus from 1968-1981, including Jabberwock, Son of Jabberwock and Hieronymous.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by title, then chronologically by date.

Box: 1

Access - Air Tower

Description of Publications

Access, Department of Journalism, 1986-2004, 33 Issues

Access is a general interest magazine published once a term. Article topics range from national to local issues. Articles featuring national topics use local interviews or perspectives to relate the content to San José State University or the San José metropolitan area. First published in the fall semester of 1987, it is currently available online at http://access-magazine.blogspot.com/.

Air Tower, SJSU Air Force Reserve Officer's Training Corp (ROTC) Newsletter, 1956-1958, 46 Issues

The Air Tower was the SJSU Air Force ROTC's newsletter. Although primarily aimed at sharing information between members, it also served as a method of outreach to the wider SJSU community. Some issues included a "Front and Center" column, which featured students' answers to questions about aspects of membership in the Air Force ROTC.

Box: 2

Banter - Clarion Call

Description of Publications

Banter, Associated Students, May 1984, 2 Issues

Banter was a student-written humor magazine funded by the Associated Students. The first date of publication is not listed, but the Letter from the Publisher implies Banter is a new, relatively unknown publication.

Big Basin, School of Nature Study, 1931-1934, 3 Issues and 1 Registration Form

The West Coast School of Nature Study was "one phase of the nature study services made available by the Natural Science Department of the San José State Teachers College." The publication began after the first field week, in which students attended a six-day course that included academic instruction and hikes or other outdoor recreation. The publication includes highlights from the students' field weeks, including jokes, articles and a directory.

The Class Paper, California State Normal School, May 20, 1880 - June 1, 1882, 2 Issues

The Class Paper appears to be printed in honor of commencement ceremonies, since both issues feature Valedictory and Salutatory speeches. Neither issue features advertisements. The May 1880 issue was printed at the office of the San José Mercury News.

Campus Voice, Editors Richard Rubacher and Ernie Barry, 1963-1964, 45 Issues

The Campus Voice was founded as an alternative to the university's official newspaper, the Spartan Daily. The aim of the Campus Voice was to attract and satisfy a more intellectual audience than the Voice's editors felt the Daily did. This publication accepted article contributions from students and faculty and eventually featured stories from Berkeley, San Francisco, and Stanford University, as well as "on the road" reporters. The paper documents the attempt to distribute the Voice on Stanford's campus, and the subsequent problems arising from this action.

Clarion Call, Students at the SJSU Teachers College Demonstration School, 1927-1930, 29 Issues

The Clarion Call was a monthly publication featuring articles about the San José State Teachers College Demonstration School. Articles include updates on classroom activities, as well as student-written poems or short essays, ranging in grade level from kindergarten though sixth grade.

Box: 3

Conservative Review

Description of Publications

Conservative Review, San José State Young Americans for Freedom, December 1970 - October 1971, 17 Issues

The Conservative Review was first published in December of 1970. The San José State Young Americans for Freedom explained that their purpose was to "analyze the ideas that dominate our liberal world . . . This paper will critique liberal ideas as well as present conservative alternatives."

Box: 4

El Portal

Description of Publications

El Portal, English Department, 1932-1941, 46 Issues (individual and bound)

El Portal was a monthly literary magazine published by the English Department featuring student writing. The genres include fiction, poetry and essays. The May 1934 issue featured the winners of the Phelan Literary Awards, endowed that year by Senator James D. Phelan with a gift of $10,000. This is the second incarnation of the literary journal The Quill, which in turn becomes Reed Magazine in 1948.

Box: 5

El Toro - Em Quad Journal

Description of Publications

El Toro, founded by Jordan Kellogg and published "under the auspices of the Controller's Office," 1935-1936, 12 Issues

Founded in 1935, El Toro was a college humor magazine featuring short jokes, cartoons and articles of a satirical or humorous nature. The May 1936 issue claims the sorority girl is, "Good for two things: dancing and tying bowties."

Em Quad Journal, SJSU Laboratory Press, May 1945, 1 Issue

The Em Quad Journal was a one-time publication for the Industrial Arts Department's IA: 181 Journalism Printing course, which took place during spring semester in 1954. Articles are written on several topics, but are primarily about retiring Executive Dean and Assistant to the President James C. De Voss. Out of 17 articles, nine are about aspects of De Voss's life.

Box: 6

Golden Bridle

Description of Publications

Golden Bridle, English Department, 1961-1967, 56 Issues

The Golden Bridle was a monthly publication created by the Pegasus Creative Writing Society. The publication's motto was, "Neither gods, nor men, nor booksellers have granted poets the right to be mediocre." The publication was mimeographed, and some of the issues have faded as a result.

Box: 7

Greek Spartan - Hieronymous

Description of Publications

Greek Spartan, Interfraternity Council, April 1996, 1 Issue

Greek Spartan was a newsletter reporting on Greek organizations and their activities on the SJSU campus.

Hieronymous, New College Students, February - June 1968, 10 Issues

Hieronymous was published twice a month by New College students. The publication was a feature journal, and covered such political issues such as abortion in Mexico, birth control on campus, and problems within the Black Militant movement.

Boxes: 8-9

The Intercom

Description of Publications

The Intercom, The Society for the Advancement of Management, 1959-1977, 26 Issues

The Intercom was the newsletter for Business School students, published by the San José State University chapter of the national organization, the Society for the Advancement of Management. The publication contains news about the department and organizations associated with the Business School, as well as profiles of professors, guest speakers and students.

Boxes: 10-11

In Writing

Description of Publications

In Writing, New College Students, 1971-1979, 9 Issues

In Writing was a literary magazine featuring student writing. The publication began as part of a New College literary seminar, and features genres such as poetry and fiction.

Box: 12

Jabberwock and Son of Jabberwock - KSJS Program Guide

Description of Publications

Jabberwock and Son of Jabberwock, New College Students, 1967-1968, 9 Issues

Jabberwock and Son of Jabberwock were weekly New College publications, covering radical activities and organizations on both the local and national levels. Of particular note is the April 5-19 issue, which features an article about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

KSJS Program Guide, KSJS 90.7, 1972-1973, 7 Issues

KSJS is a student-staffed public radio station located on the SJSU campus. The program guides featured here were published monthly and include talk, information, sports and music programming.

Box: 13

La Torre

Description of Publications

La Torre, SJSU Alumni, 1980-1981, 1 Issue

This is a mock-up of the 1980-1981 La Torre yearbook. A published version of the 1980-1981 yearbook is not available. Note: SJSU's La Torre yearbook officially ceased publication in 1965. Published editions of La Torre are available to patrons in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Boxes: 14-20

Lyke

Description of Publications

Lyke, Department of Journalism and Advertising, 1946-1965, 70 Issues

Lyke was short for Lycurgus, the figure often attributed as the creator of Sparta's constitution in the seventh century BCE. The publication was founded in 1945 as a feature magazine, with article topics ranging from fashion to sports to campus life. The magazine also included student profiles, as well as cartoons and jokes. Of special note are advertisements from local San José businesses from the 1940s-1960s.

Box: 21

Mobius Strip - The New College Mouth

Description of Publications

Mobius Strip, Student-run newspaper, Undated, 1 Issue

The Mobius Strip featured short writings on many subjects. Many biblical and musical allusions are featured in this issue, as well as a full-page ad for a new fantasy-adventure comic strip slated to start in the next issue.

New Campus Wit, Student-run publication, Undated, 1 Issue

The New Campus Wit was a humor publication featuring articles about topical subjects like Vietnam, campus events like Homecoming, and other political events such as student protests. Note: this issue is in poor condition.

The New College News, New College Students, 1977-1978, 21 Issues

The New College News was a weekly publication created to allow New College students to communicate with one another, express opinions via essays and articles, and to advertise campus events and announcements.

The New College Mouth, New College Students, 1971-1976, 21 Issues

The New College Mouth was intended to be a weekly publication, but as Volume I, Issue 2 states, "The New College Mouth has been suffering from Lockjaw . . . How does one stay a weekly publication when there is nothing to publish?" The Mouth included campus news, student writing, and event announcements.

Boxes: 22-23

New Student - Nightshade

Description of Publications

New Student, Student-run newspaper, 1965-1966, 52 Issues

The New Student was a radical newspaper printed weekly by individual students. The articles focused on the counterculture of the mid to late 1960s, and included articles on divisive political issues such as the Vietnam War and controversial university policies of the 1960s. The newspaper also featured interviews with such notable individuals as Beat poet Alan Ginsberg. Note: Issues of New Student can also be found in Box 23.

Nightshade, New College Students, 1970-1971, 3 Issues

Another literary magazine created with the aim of publishing student writing from New College, Nightshade began in 1970. Poetry, fiction and other genres are featured. Student Edvins August is a consistent name in all three issues, and his editorial opens the first issue and gives a brief insight into the creation of the magazine. The writing is notable for its frankness and use of profanity.

Boxes: 24-25

The Normal Index

Description of Publications

The Normal Index, Senior Classes of the San José Normal School, 1885-1891, 47 Issues

The Normal Index was published monthly. Submissions were accepted from current students and alumni. In addition to editorials and articles, obituaries and alumni notes were also featured.

Box: 26

The Normal Pennant

Description of Publications

The Normal Pennant, the Students of the State Normal School at San José, 1900-1909, 41 Issues

The Normal Pennant was published monthly as a campus-wide magazine, with the aim of sharing articles, reviews, poems, lyrics, and campus updates among the student body.

Box: 27

The Normal Times - The Outside Agitator

Description of Publications

The Normal Times, State Normal School at San José, November 10-24, 1911, 2 Issues

The Normal Times was the "Official Organ of the Student Body," published weekly. Front page stories included such events as sporting competitions, faculty lectures, and campus activities.

The Old Ranger Speaks, New College Students, Fall 1968, 1 Issue

The Old Ranger Speaks was a poetry anthology featuring student writing. Little information is included in the publication about the authors, poems or publication.

The Outside Agitator, San José State College, January - March 1969, 4 Issues

The Outside Agitator was a publication created by students to voice concerns about politics, education, and current events.

Boxes: 28-30

Passports

Description of Publications

Passports, SJSU History Department and Phi Alpha Theta, 1977-2002, 75 Issues

Passports is a publication featuring outstanding research papers by SJSU history students. In general, a paper needs to be nominated by a History Department professor to be considered for print.

Box: 31

Peacock

Description of Publications

Peacock, Department of Journalism and Advertising, November 1961 - December 1964, 9 Issues

The Peacock was a full-color supplement to the Spartan Daily, and was published to mark special occasions, such as the 25th Anniversary of the Spartan Daily and Founder's Day.

Box: 32

The People Book - Prism 1-2

Description of Publications

The People Book, New College Students, 1973, 1 Issue

The People Book was an informal yearbook featuring candid pictures and captions of students taken primarily in the New College dormitory. Some of the images include other campus settings, as well as off-campus trips.

Prism 1-2, New College Freshmen, 1968, 5 Issues

The Prism was created and published by a group of proactive freshmen who were interested in producing a vehicle of communication for reflection. The direction of the publication was determined by reader submissions.

Box: 33

The Quill

Description of Publications

The Quill, English Club, 1925-1931, 20 Issues and 1 Bound Compilation Edition

The Quill was an English Club publication featuring fictional short stories, poetry and nonfiction written by the club's members. In 1931, it was renamed El Portal. Its current incarnation is entitled Reed Magazine.

Box: 34

Quips & Crafts - Reed Magazine

Description of Publications

Quips & Crafts, San José State College Association of Childhood Education, Alpha Chi Epsilon, 1950s, 2 Issues

Quips & Crafts was a publication containing various crafts and games to entertain young children, such as making a pinwheel.

Reed Magazine, Pegasus, 1948-1954, 4 Issues

The Reed Magazine was created with the aim of publishing winning student compositions from the Phelan Competition, as well as from the English Department's creative writing courses. It is currently the third incarnation of an SJSU literary magazine, the first being The Quill, then El Portal. Reed Magazine is still published today and maintains a website at http://www.reedmag.org/drupal/.

Boxes: 35-39

The Rule

Description of Publications

The Rule, Students of the Engineering Division, 1961-1974, 140 Issues and 9 Bound Compilation Editions

The Rule was a student publication in magazine format, published four times per year with the aim of igniting interest in relevant engineering issues, as well as creating a forum for students to share mutual pursuits. Included are engineering-based articles, job market information, student and faculty biographies, the Dean's Honor List, and university concerns.

Boxes: 40-41

San José State College Times - The Senior Journal

Description of Publications

San José State College Times, Associated Students, April 1932 - February 1930, 6 Issues

Published by the Associated Students, the San José State College Times included articles, updates, and reminders written primarily by students, along with some materials submitted by faculty. It was published Tuesdays through Fridays during the school year. In addition, the publication also featured relevant announcements from various educational institutions, as well as national news stories.

Sedition, The Graphic Offensive, 1971-1976, 102 Issues

Sedition was a radical, free press paper that "sought to revolutionize the nation," and contained articles about San José State University, as well as the City of San José community. The newspaper published articles such as where to find inexpensive meals, women's health issues, drug use, and how to take action against the government, as well as hotline and helpline numbers relating to community needs and services. In Volume 5, the newspaper's name was changed to the San José Community News.

The Senior Journal, State Normal School at San José, May 1883 - December 1885, 5 Issues

Like The Class Paper, The Senior Journal appears to be printed in honor of commencement, as it includes the Normal School president's commencement speech. Advertisements for The Normal Index are also printed in this publication.

Box: 42

San Jose Free University: Free You - Source

Description of Publications

San Jose Free University: Free You, Winter-Spring 1972, 1 Issue

San Jose Free University: Free You was created in 1968 as a lifestyle publication aimed at expanding San Jose State University education to include "any creative or learning processes" found in San Jose. Compiled as a catalog, the issue at hand presents a summary of three years' worth of accumulated sources.

Shaka, Black Studies Department, 1970-1972, 7 Issues

Shaka was created by the Black Journalism Workshop with the aim of communicating issues of relevance and importance for black students and community members.

Source, Associated Students and Continuing Education Department, June - August 1973, 24 Issues

The Source was an informative newsletter covering student activities, events, and campus news. It was the main news media printed for students attending summer classes in the early 1970s.

Box: 43

Sparta Life

Description of Publications

Sparta Life, Department of Journalism and Advertising, Winter 1966 - Summer 1969, 31 Issues

Sparta Life proclaimed itself to be a combination of fellow SJSU publication Lyke and the campus yearbook, La Torre. It published a variety of articles relating to the university and the college experience in a magazine format. The Winter 1968 issue of the magazine features Harry Edwards: "We Get What's Ours Or We Burn It Down," an article on part-time sociology teacher Harry Edwards who, at the beginning of the fall semester of 1968, had assailed San Jose State College's community for racism and discrimination in housing, athletics, fraterinities, sororities, as well as during the admission process.

Box: 44

Spartan Baby - Sparta Sprite

Description of Publications

Spartan Baby, San José State College Freshman Class, November 1958 - April 1959, 14 Issues and 1 Bound Compilation Edition

The Spartan Baby served as the official newspaper of the freshman class, featuring short articles regarding upcoming events, class members, news, and reminders.

Sparta Sprite, San José State College Freshman Class, November 1959 - February 1960, 3 Issues

The Sparta Sprite appears to be a continuation of the Spartan Baby.

Boxes: 45-48

Spartan Daily - Spartan Daily Style Manual

Description of Publications

Spartan Daily, Department of Journalism, 1961-1997 (bulk Fall 1997), 72 Issues

Established in 1934, the Spartan Daily is the official campus newspaper, and is published Monday through Thursday throughout the academic school year. Articles include student body viewpoints on national events, campus events, sports, opinion pieces, and general interest stories, as well as current film, music, and book reviews.

Spartan Daily Style Manual, Department of Journalism, 1 Issue

The Spartan Daily Style Manual was created as a guideline for publishing the Spartan Daily, and includes examples of essays, articles, and op-ed pieces, as well as the proper methods for interviewing, editing, and layout.

Box: 49

The Spartan Review

Description of Publications

The Spartan Review, Students for the Free Market, March 1986 - May 1989, 18 Issues

The Spartan Review was published monthly as an independent news magazine. Topics included gun control and illegal drugs on campus, and many issues feature a "Pro and Con" column about a controversial topic. Issue No. 1 positions The Spartan Review as an alternative to the Spartan Daily, saying that the Review "will, in general, be conservatively unbiased, in contrast to the Spartan Daily's liberal unbiasedness [sic]."

Box: 50

Spartan Spanker/Spasms

Description of Publications

Spartan Spanker/Spasms, San José State Teachers College Times, 1926-1929, 5 Issues and 1 Bound Compilation Edition

The Spartan Spanker was published as a college humor magazine, with jokes, short stories, book reviews, and current events. It was renamed Spartan Spasms after the first issue.

Box: 51

Spectrum 71 - The Telescope

Description of Publications

Spectrum 71, Associated Students/Student Government, 1971, 1 Issue

Spectrum 71 served to update the campus community about student government concerns and upcoming election issues.

The Telescope, Normal Societies and Athletics, October 1894, 1 Issue

The Telescope featured writings about musical concerts and fashion, as well as articles about such topics as the Mohammedan University in Cairo, Egypt.

Boxes: 52-53

Tower List

Description of Publications

Tower List, Tau Delta Phi, 1964-1984, 41 Issues

The Tower List was an attempt to systematically and responsibly compile SJSU student opinions regarding the teaching abilities of SJSU professors and faculty members, in order to assist students in choosing their courses each semester.

Box: 54

Training School Enterprise

Description of Publications

Training School Enterprise, The Normal Training School Press, 1905-1910, 3 Bound Editions

The Training School Enterprise was established by students of the San José State Normal School. The publication includes campus announcements, news articles, updates, poetry, short stories, and song lyrics created by the students.

Appendix A: Chronological Listing of Titles 1880-2004

Physical Description: 54 publications

Publications

Format of Listing: Title, publisher, years, and number of issues.

The Class Paper, California State Normal School, May 20, 1880 - June 1, 1882, 2 Issues

The Senior Journal, State Normal School at San José, May 1883 - December 1885, 5 Issues

The Telescope, Normal Societies and Athletics, October 1894, 1 Issue

The Normal Index, Senior Classes at the Normal School, 1885-1891, 47 Issues

The Normal Pennant, the Students of the State Normal School at San José, 1900-1909, 41 Issues

Training School Enterprise, The Normal Training School Press, 1905-1910, 3 Bound Editions

The Quill, English Club, 1925-1931, 20 Issues and 1 Bound Compilation Edition

Spartan Spanker/Spasms, San José State Teachers College Times, 1926-1929, 5 Issues and 1 Bound Compilation Edition

Clarion Call, Students at the Demonstration School, 1927-1930, 29 Issues

Big Basin, School of Nature Study, 1931-1934, 3 Issues and 1 Registration Form

San José State College Times, Associated Students, April 1932-February 1930, 6 Issues

El Portal, English Department, 1932-1941, 46 Issues

El Toro, Founded by Jordan Kellogg and published 'under auspices of the Controller's Office', 1935-1936, 12 Issues

Lyke, Department of Journalism and Advertising, 1946-1965, 70 Issues

Reed Literary Magazine, Pegasus, 1948-1954, 4 Issues

Quips & Crafts, San José State College Association of Childhood Ed, Alpha Chi Epsilon, 1950s, 2 Issues

Em Quad Journal, San José State Laboratory Press, May 1954, 1 Issue

Air Tower, San José State College Air Force Reserve Officer's, Training Corp (ROTC) Newsletter, 1956-1958, 46 Issues

Spartan Baby, San José State College Freshman Class, November 1958-April 1959, 14 Issues and 1 Bound Compilation Edition

Sparta Sprite, San José State College Freshman Class, November 1959-February 1960, 3 Issues

The Intercom, The Society for the Advancement of Management, 1959-1977, 26 Issues

Peacock, Department of Journalism and Advertising, November 1961 - December 1964, 9 Issues

Golden Bridle, English Department, 1961-1967, 56 Issues

The Rule, Students of the Engineering Division, 1961-1974, 140 Issues and 9 Bound Compilation Editions

Spartan Daily & Style Manual, Department of Journalism, 1961-1997 (bulk Fall 1997), 72 Issues

Campus Voice, Editors Richard Rubacher and Ernie Barry, 1963-1964, 45 Issues

Tower List, Tau Delta Phi, 1964-1984, 41 Issues

New Student, Student-run newspaper, 1965-1966, 52 Issues

Sparta Life, Department of Journalism and Advertising, Winter 1966 - Summer 1969, 31 Issues

Jabberwock and Son of Jabberwock, New College Students, 1967-1968, 9 Issues

The Old Ranger Speaks, New College Students, Fall 1968, 1 Issue

Hieronymous, New College Students, February - June 1968, 10 Issues

Prism 1-2, New College Freshmen, 1968, 5 Issues

The Outside Agitator, San José State College Students, January - March 1969, 4 Issues

Nightshade, New College Students, 1970-1971, 3 Issues

Conservative Review, San José State Young Americans for Freedom, December 1970 - October 1971, 17 Issues

Shaka and the New Student, Black Studies Department, 1970-1972, 7 Issues

Spectrum '71, Associated Students and Student Government, 1971, 1 Issue

The New College Mouth, New College Students, 1971-1976, 21 Issues

Sedition, The Graphic Offensive, 1971-1976, 102 Issues

In Writing, 1971-1979, 9 Issues

San Jose Free University: Free You, Winter-Spring 1972, 1 Issue

KSJS Program Guide, KSJS 90.7, 1972-1973, one unlabeled, 7 Issues

The People Book, New College Students, 1973, 1 Issue

Source, Associated Students and Continuing Education Department, June - August 1973, 24 Issues

The New College News, New College Students, 1977-1978, 21 Issues

Passports, SJSU History Department & Phi Alpha Theta, 1977-2002, 75 Issues

La Torre, San José State University Alumni, 1980-1981, 1 Issue

Banter, Associated Students, May 1984, 2 Issues

The Spartan Review, Students for the Free Market, March 1986-May 1989, 18 Issues

Access Magazine, Department of Journalism, 1986-1999, 25 Issues

Greek Spartan, Interfraternity Council, April 1996, 1 Issue

Mobius Strip, Student-run newspaper, Undated, 1 Issue

New Campus Wit, Student humor publication, Undated, 1 Issue

Collection Contents