Trust us. Everything you think you know about campus newspaper offices is true. They're always in basements. The furniture is hand-me-down. The crews are motley. Moreover, campus newspaper editors show up for work in sweat pants. They have bad facial hair and don't have dates for the fall formal. In fact, they're not even going. They're totally busy that night.

One other thing. Campus newspaper offices are a breeding ground for interesting, eye-catching and often controversial newspapers.

Students read student newspapers. In fact, 85% read the last issue of their campus paper.

By students, for students

Unlike major media, campus newspapers are written and produced by students, for students, and with a focus on student life. Inside the pages of, say, the University of Victoria's Martlet or Memorial University of Newfoundland's Muse, you'll find the exploits of both the beloved campus sports teams and the notorious students' union. You'll find coverage of local rock shows and maybe even commentary on the war in Iraq.

These newspapers are distributed all over campus where students pick them up before class, on their way to the gym or home from the pub. Favourite clippings and self-sightings go up on the communal dorm fridge, and back issues rise again for such noble purposes as wrapping-birthday-presents and acting-as-umbrellas for that quick jog to the library.

Tools of the trade

Ten years ago, volunteers pasted up campus newspaper spreads by hand. Now the newspapers have gone digital, helping students easily create a more professional-looking product. And they have money to do it. On most campuses, students pay for the yearly publication of the newspaper right out of their tuition. This allows student newspapers to upgrade to the latest tools of the trade in order to treat stories—and advertising—right.