About

How old is the Sheaf?

The Sheaf has been the University of Saskatchewan students’ newspaper since 1912. It is the largest student newspaper of its kind in the province and a founding member of Canadian University Press, a national student press co-operative formed in 1938. Digital archives of Sheaf publications from 1912 to the 1993-94 issue are available at the U of S archives. More recent issues are available at University Archives & Special Collections.

Where is the Sheaf located?

The Sheaf Publishing Society is located in the Memorial Union Building on the U of S main campus. The Sheaf acknowledges that our office is built on Treaty Six Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and affirm both the importance of our relationship with Indigenous peoples and students at the U of S and our commitment to recognize and remain accountable for our collective history.

How is the newspaper funded?

The Sheaf is an incorporated non-profit that is, in part, student-body funded by way of a direct levy paid by all part- and full-time undergraduate students at the U of S. The remainder of the revenue is generated through advertising. The financial affairs are governed by a Board of Directors, most of whom are students. Membership in the the Sheaf Publishing Society is open to all undergraduate students at the U of S, who are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper. Absolutely no experience is required!

Where can I pick up a copy?

The Sheaf is published throughout the academic year, Papers are distributed to colleges on campus and are available from stands along main traffic areas.

For each issue, the Sheaf publishes between 3,000-6,000 copies and distributes them at more than 30 locations on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

What is the goal of the newspaper?

The mission of the Sheaf is to inform and entertain students by addressing those issues that are relevant to life on campus, in the city or in the province. The newspaper serves as a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues that concern students. Written for students, by students, it provides unique insight into university issues through a student perspective. The staff of editors, photographers and artists collaborate with volunteers as student journalists to create a product relevant to students on the U of S campus.

What does the Sheaf contain?

The Sheaf is divided into four main sections: News, Sports and Health, Culture and Opinions. Along with these standard sections, we print features on speciality topics like food, fashion, science and technology, love, sexuality, psychology and more. However, these categories don’t cover everything, and the Sheaf is always prepared to push the boundaries of journalism and explore new stories.

Whether it is coverage of the university administration, student events, the exploits of the Huskies or the review of a new musical talent, the Sheaf strives to be a mirror of student life.

Who can write for the Sheaf?

Any undergraduate student from the University of Saskatchewan can contribute to the Sheaf. No experience is necessary. If you feel you have something to contribute, you can talk to an editor about your story idea. Editors will assist you in crafting the article, editing it, and finally, publishing it in the newspaper. However, if writing is not your forté, the newspaper also needs photographers, proofreaders, cartoonists and graphic image designers. What does the Sheaf offer its volunteers? We offer the opportunity to get involved in the university and gain resumé experience!

What is the editorial policy of the newspaper?

The opinions expressed in the Sheaf do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheaf Publishing Society Inc. The Sheaf reserves the right to refuse to accept or print any material deemed unfit for publication, as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief has the right to veto any submission deemed unfit for the Society newspaper. In determining this, the Editor-in-Chief will decide if the article or artwork would be of interest to a significant portion of the Society and benefit the welfare of Sheaf readers. The Sheaf will not publish any racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous material.

How is the organization structured?

As an undergraduate student at the university, you are already a society member of the Sheaf Publishing Society. As such, you have the right to have a say in the operation of the newspaper, which includes standing or voting for the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is the executive arm of the society. It is the legal representative for the organization. It sets and administers the budget, determines employee contracts and the acquisition and liquidation of assets, and sets goals for the society. 

Under the oversight of the board, there are the Business and Advertising Manager, Editor-in-Chief, Section Editors and other staff members.

The Business and Ads Manager is responsible for all accounting records, inventory, public relations and office administration, as well as marketing, sales or revenue generation. She is also the representative of the newspaper to the business community.

The Editor-in-Chief oversees the publication of the paper and gives the editorial staff their direction and focus. The EIC will write, assign and edit articles. They run meetings, train new writers and co-ordinate the paper with the Section Editors, Copy Editor, Photo and Graphics Editor, Layout Manager and Staff Writer. The EIC also works closely with the Web Editor and Outreach Director to promote the Sheaf.

Section Editors also write, assign and edit articles, but they are more refined in their focus. Each one has a specific area of coverage: News, Sports and Health, Culture and Opinions.