Ads the Jasper Jist put out encouraging students join.
ANGELINA PEREZ / THE QUADRANGLE
By Angelina Perez, Arts and Entertainment Editor
From originating as a print-only publication to a solely online college news source, The Quadrangle’s development since 1924 has shifted both in substance of articles published as well as a key emphasis on the student audience. The publication has shifted away from the political rhetoric that overtook many of the original printed pages to adjust to the natural writing style of editors, writers and topics covered throughout the last century.
Early issues of The Quadrangle did not divide their publication into sections, nor did it give credit to the writers of the articles that were placed together with ads. Ads included The Red Cross begging for blood donations during World War II, or the cigarettes being promoted on almost every page. Restaurants that no longer bring joy to the students of Manhattan University [formerly college] still live on the pages of old issues. Cartoons drawn by students filled the pages, telling student stories and those of campus sports games.
May of 1966 brought a new campus competitor for college news, with the creation of the Jasper Journal coming to MU after a group of student writers on The Quadrangle felt censored.
“Prime mover behind the new journal is former Quad news editor Steve Burchik who resigned from the Quadrangle staff in late February, expressing dissatisfaction with the paper’s inadequate news reporting and its determination to support candidates for campus political office,” The Quadrangle article stated. “Burchik’s proposal to publish a second campus newspaper ‘which would more adequately reflect the views of Manhattan students’.”
Slander from both sides was published with The Quadrangle comparing awards between the two publications, referencing the Jasper Journal as a publicity and attention seeking stunt that found its way into the palms of students’ hands.
“After cavalierly welcoming its competitor to the journalistic fold, The Quadrangle has questioned the good sense of the fledgling newspaper’s intention of ‘securing a free press on campus’ by supporting whatever candidate The Quad doesn’t,” The Quadrangle article from May of 1966 stated.
Famous slogans such as “I Want You to Vote” were altered to say, “I Want You to Join the Jasper Journal” with a mascot named “The Jasperman”. The Jasperman was a comic strip of a cartoon persona originated by alumnus Jerry Breen published in the Jasper Journal. Jasperman was used as a recruitment tool by those on the new publication and could be seen placed in front of seductive women to appeal to the young men of Manhattan College to join the Jasper Journal. Short pieces and drawings were created that undermined the intelligence of the students reading The Quadrangle, insinuating freshman coming to MC [MU] would gain more knowledge by staying away from The Quadrangle.
“Question: Why is there so little department news covered in the Jasper Journal? Answer: The Jasper Journal will print typed, literate articles submitted by any department or campus office. Question: Why is there so much satire in the feature section of the Jasper Journal? Answer: A paper without a point is a paper without a purpose,” The Quadrangle stated in an article published on Sept. 20, 1970.
In volume 57 issue one, The Quadrangle published an article titled, “Editors Merge College Papers” highlighting a vote both members of the Jasper Journal and The Quadrangle had earlier in the week to merge the papers back together to be served by a single college newspaper realizing they were better together then separate.
As the fonts grew bigger and writers started having their names attached to articles, sections began to form in the 90s to what we know now as News, Features and Arts and Entertainment. Although not getting this official title until the 2000s, Sports was officially added to the lineup. Publishing weekly for a 3 dollar yearly subscription turned into the development of online publication in 2012 and readers to last us another century.