Week 3 of November

50 Years Ago (or thereabout)

From the Polar Star, Nov. 16, 1956

Exchange News

This little gem was hatched in the mind of one, Allen Simpson, of the University of Minnesota; and bears the title of "A Little Game." We thought it was good and that it might work effectively here.

"Tomorrow when you come to school I want you to play a new game which I've devised especially for you, the discriminate reader. It is designed to keep you constantly surprised, and the rules have been simplified so that everyone, even fraternity men and graduate students, can play.

"First: leave your books and notes in one of the cubby-holes in the Union cafeteria. Be sure to include in one of your books a schedule of your classes.

"Second: drink you cup of coffee and diminuitive [sic] breakfast role as you have always done. Bust your own dishes.

"Third: return to the cubby-holes and take, not your own books, but someone else's. Then go to all the classes listed on the enclosed schedule.

"Each day thereafter repeat this little game. Every night pore over a different set of notes: every day attend a different schedule of classes. Can you imagine anything more fun.

"No one will ever attend the same class twice!

"Not only does this game insure that the student never gets into a runt, but it also carries the theory of liberal education to its inevitable end. It gives the student a truly generous smattering of knowledge to take with him into his own individual oblivion.

"And remember! This game can be played during final examinations with no changes of rules. In some ways you will probably find it even more fun then."

25 years ago:

From the Northern Sun, Nov. 13, 1981

A New Beginning

In case no one has noticed, this is the first issue of the Sun-Star. Although it has been long in coming, we feel that it has been worth the wait. This has been a significant development here at UAF and it's important that it's done right.

This issue marks the birth of a new movement on campus. From this date forward, the Sun-Star will move toward becoming an independent student-produced campus newspaper. It is our goal to become self-sufficient through our advertising revenue, with a minimal subsidy from ASUA until such a situation is realized.

Such a situation will take time and much effort from the staff of the paper. In order to accomplish our goal, it is essential that we have the support of students and staff here at the University. The potential is here and our goal is realistic in all respects, but without help we don't have a chance.

What this new paper will develop into depends upon a number of factors. Without formal ties to the journalism department and the student government, the paper will be able to act independantly [sic] without possible conflict-of-interest with either party. Students working on the paper will have a choice of receiving credit or money for their efforts. Such a policy will hopefully attract not only journalism majors, but interested parties from across the campus….