Student newspapers

From The Westminsterian, launched at Westminster College in 1891, to the students’ union’s O.B.Scene in the 1990s, we have selected examples from a century of student newspapers for you to browse on our anniversary timeline.

An early issue of The Westminsterian from 1892 features instruments built by students in the college’s dedicated workshop to be used as teaching aids, while the Lent 1939 issue contains several poignant pieces of fiction by students responding to the political situation on the eve of war.

Despite the more sombre tone of these stories, humour remains a common thread through the decades. A 1962 issue of Minimum featuring a quiz ('Are you a good student?') and a gossip column answers comments about the length of the publication with the quip that ‘two sheets is the Minimum at the moment’. The first issue of Vortex, in 1965, leads on a controversial union election and suggests that problems may have stemmed from the surprise of having any candidates at all.

Publications also tackle a huge range of topics. In December 1966 Politec leads on the question of social divisions within the Polytechnic under the provocative headline ‘Is College this twisted?’ and reviews the recently opened Oxford Museum of Modern Art. Two years later an issue of Newspack printed in orange ink reports on plans to redecorate the common room and discusses the question of student apathy.

Political issues come to the forefront in Poke in a 1971 issue, including the case against joining the Common Market, arm sales to South Africa, and the inflationary effect of decimalisation. In 1972 Breed presents expansion plans for the Headington campus with a report on a public meeting about the development. 

The Last Edition, in a 1974 issue, includes a competition to win a second-hand bicycle alongside concerns about the drop-out rate in the hotel management department and an exclusive interview with Spike Milligan. In 1984 The TLE calls for students to support a staff strike over pay, asking that they stay away or join the picket line. The employment prospects of graduates are also discussed, alongside a humorous take on how to adjust to ‘retirement’ from student life.

The TLE continues to be published after the Polytechnic becomes Oxford Brookes University, but in 1999 it is replaced by O.B.Scene, the first issue of which marks a new academic year with advice for students on personal safety and health alongside restaurant and cultural reviews.

Explore more of our history on our interactive timeline.