Eighteen years ago, the Commentator put out its first magazine in an attempt to offer students on campus an alternative publication with a conservative voice.
On Oct. 24, 1983, the Commentator’s first publisher, former Emerald editor Dane Claussen, wrote, “Commentator articles will tell you what other publications on campus are unable to tell you because of the inexperience, incompetence, or narrow-mindedness of their staffs.”
Many students and alumni agree that the magazine has published some entertaining articles, but they don’t necessarily take the publication seriously.
“(The Commentator staff) successfully sells themselves as conservative drunk guys,” said former ASUO vice president Ben Unger.
The Commentator’s publisher, Bret Jacobson, admits that a lot of the staff writers enjoy drinking. But he doesn’t believe that takes away from the magazine’s mission to offer in-depth investigations of issues, such as campus politics, ASUO and OSPIRG.
“Our relaxed atmosphere is critical to our tone,” he said. “We try not to take ourselves or those around us too seriously.”
While the magazine’s editor, Pete Hunt, said the magazine has served as a “platform for dissent,” Jacobson disagreed.
“(The Commentator) is the only place on campus where you can show an irreverent sense of humor through the examination of issues,” he said.
Unger said while he was involved in student government from 1997 to 1998, many students liked getting attention from the Commentator.
“It feels like you’ve made it once you’re quoted in the Commentator,” he said.
Current Vice President Joy Nair said the magazine has had its funny moments and has successfully portrayed student views, but she added that in the past year, the magazine hasn’t tackled issues surrounding the ASUO in as much depth as it should.
“When they do focus on ASUO, they say how bad we are or why we suck, but they never say how we’re bad or why we suck,” she said. “I am waiting for them to step up and continue their past years of excellence.”
The Commentator has received criticism in the past, such as in February 1996, when the Program Finance Committee threatened to cut the magazine’s budget. Many students and faculty members raised charges of sexism and racism after the magazine printed a list written by four students from Cornell University in New York City. The list was entitled “Top 75 reasons Why Women Should Not Have Free Speech” and satirized various groups, including African-Americans, on its back page.However, the PFC decided not to cut the magazine’s funding.
Tom Mann, who started contributing to the magazine in 1983 and later became an editor from 1985-1986, said the founders started the magazine because they felt other campus media avoided talking about controversial issues from both sides.
“The Commentator has worked to fill that gap,” he said. “I’m amazed the paper has lasted as long as it has. Turns out we had a pretty good idea after all.”