From the archives: Oct. 19, 1993 Paper grows through controversy and tradition

Monday, October 19, 2009 - 11:21 PM

No doesn’t always mean no – especially when it comes to the Board of Regents.

For a group of rebellious students at the University of Nevada, no meant the beginning of a rich history of independence and the preservation of an immortal voice.

In 1893, young zealots, some members of the Adelphi Literary Society, petitioned the Board of Regents for permission to publish a campus newspaper. But after their request was denied, they saw only one alternative. The Sagebrush’s beginnings.

A secret meeting, held Oct. 1, 1893 in the top story of the mining building, finalized the plan with a unanimous vote: a newspaper would be published in spite of the Regents’ decision.

Their covert operation evolved in the basement of the Congregational Church. Under an oath of secrecy, The Nevada State Journal undertook the printing of the 6-by-9 inch paper. The following day, Oct. 19, 1893, The Student Record made its insubordinate debut on campus.

The first issue contained a Salutatory to the university:

“We trust that the appearance of the Record will be a glad surprise to the public and and especially to the friends and patrons of our State University,” the Student Record wrote. “No apology is needed for the publication of such a journal, as it enters a field unoccupied by any other of its class.”

But the Record couldn’t resist a dig at the Regents.

“The petition presented to the Board of Regents, at its last meeting, by the students of the State University, asking the privilage to publish a college paper, not having been granted has, in some measure made necessary the publication of the Record.”

No adverse effects surfaced after the first two issues of the Record. The paper was published anonymously by Editor Charles Magill and Business Manager Fred C. Frey. When the illicit publication was ignored by the Regents and administrators, the third issue contained the names of the staff.

And through the years, that sense of necessity evoked by Magill’s first issue, has been a torch carried on by each editor to the next with an unspoken creed of perseverance.

Changes came with the territory

The paper slowly grew in size from a monthly to a semimonthly publication to a semiweekly college newspaper since 1961.

In 1910, the paper changed its name to the U. of N. Sagebrush and continued to uphold the right of independence and fiery attitude it celebrated from its conception.

According to Warren Lerude, editor in 1959-60, working for the Sagebrush was a group inspiration.

“It (the Sagebrush) recreates itself every year,” Lerude said. “It is sort of a team effort, everyone in the same boat.”

He said the devotion many editors and others associated with the newspaper stemmed from a sense of determination that went far beyond money or the experience of working at a newspaper.

“It’s a labor of love,” he said.

And that means hard labor.

Controversy surrounds publication

The past century has been filled with many scandals that helped to mold the newspaper’s fight for freedom.

Scathing editorials have always been a trademark of the Sagebrush.

The unofficial award for the first editor to be ousted because of an editorial, is bestowed on George Springmeyer in 1902.

During that year university President Joseph Stubbs imposed a semi-quarantine for students because of the smallpox scare. Students who lived on campus were to remain on campus but those who lived off campus were not subject to the quarantine.

At the time, Sprinmeyer lived in Lincoln Hall and led a protest by dormitory students while his editorial criticized Stubbs for the ban. An angry Stubbs expelled Springmeyer.

Other notorious incidents were also fueled against the mainstream.

In 1961 Editor Don O-Donnell was fired by ASUN for want the Senate called “incorrect and libelous remarks” made in a separate article and editorial.

In the editorial O’Donnell blamed Student Affairs Dean Jerry Wulk for the “killing of UNR traditions.” The publications board demanded a retraction and charged him with “inaccuracy of editorial material and lack of cooperation with the board.” But O’ Donnell requested a hearing before the Senate.

Lerude, a veteran editor at the time, defended O’Donnell but the Senate refused to sustain his appeal and in face overruled the publications board’s first ruling. It was recommended O’Donnell be removed from the editor’s position.

The staff was outraged at the board’s ruling and contrived a plan that would become one of the most memorable issues in Sagebrush history.

Marybeth Varcados (Hockel at the time) who was appointed interim editor by the publications board, turned the tables on the “dangerous precedent of government press control,” by publishing the infamous “blank edition.”

The March 24, 1961 issue contained only advertising and mastheads. At the top of the blank editorial page were the words “…and the truth shall set you free.”

But that was not the end of the staff’s retaliation. On March 28, 1961 a front-page editorial by Lerude denounced the the board’s decision. Lerude wrote, “the right to criticize must stand – though many in student government would not have it for any others than themselves.”

A firm tradition of independence had been sacrificed through the termination of one editor.

In another incident, 1973 editor Buddy Frank and business manager Barbara Raymond, were suspended by ASUN for publishing an ad for a pornographic device called Auto Suck – designed to give motorists “hours of driving or parking pleasure.”

The Sagebrush published a front-page story on the staff suspension and said Frank and Raymond apologized to all who were offended by the ad.

The suspension didn’t last long and both were reinstated after two weeks.

It was during the tough times at the Sagebrush a stronger bond for the cause of necessity was created.

In 1977 Editor Gary Jesch also felt the heat from student government. Jesch was accused of misappropriation of funds and soliciting a gratuity.

After a three-week inquiry, Jesch was fired.

Beyond the cause of freedom of speech, this incident tested the bond of the staff.

The opening line of the editorial that followed his termination said, “If anyone askes, the Sagebrush lives. An editor has lost an unwitting battle, one that has torn at the heart-strings of a loyal staff.”

It continued to defend Jesch.

“Gary Jesch is not finished with his personal battle. The Sagebrush stands behind him in his effort to get at the crux of the issue … until the appropriate decisions are made, the staff will continue to relay the editorial policy administered under him.”

The battle was continued and Editor Rachael Conlin, 1991-92, was on the hot-seat for numerous violations.

An Oct. 7, 1991 Publications Board meeting drew a crowd of 40 people who all had a beef with the editor.

Some violations listed by ASUN President Samantha Dollison included irresponsible editing, unauthorized removal of advertisements, carelessness, wiolation of the obscenity rule and other infractions.

A motion was made to fire Conlin at the meeting. But instead, the Board decided to review the next several issues of the paper and let Conlin prove she was a responsible editor.

Although many argued she had already been doing her job, the decision stood. In reviewing the next issues, the Board decided the paper had improved and Conlin’s job was no longer in jeopardy.

And for many of the editors the fight is still raging. Many editors and writers have gone on to become celebrated journalists, advertising wizards and successful business people.

So for the students who will someday experience what it means to write or guide the Sagebrush, the fight continues. And so does the labor of love.

A ringside seat might be in order for the next 100 years.