Page 10
University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, May 25, 1965
Campus Humor Publications Recorded Sad. Short Lives
Humor magazines, an integral part of nearly every university, have seen little success on the KU campus.
Out of four humor magazines that have appeared in the past 50 years, only one has enjoyed any measure of success.
The "Sour Owl," first of the KU humor magazines, was started in 1914 by Owl Society, honorary junior men's society, and Sigma Delta Chi, professional men's journalism society.
HOWEVER, THE MAGAZINE tread upon shaky ground for its first year of existence. On June 1, 1915, the "Sour Owl" was brought before the Disciplinary Committee and its contents reviewed. But fortunately for the infant magazine, no measures were taken.
One of the magazine's outstanding features and selling points was its scandal section, which was more than a mere gossip column. The section commented not only on students, but upon faculty and administrators as well.
The Dec. 12, 1919, edition of the Kansas reported, "The Owl Board says that good, live scandal, the kind that is rich, rare, and racy, is all that is holding them (Sour Owl) up."
IN 1920 THE scandal section was eliminated in one issue as an experiment. The outcome of the trial is unknown.
By the mid 20's the humor publication had skyrocketed to more than just campus popularity. A motion picture copyright attorney was given all the privileges of republication of items appearing in the "Sour Owl." Other motion picture interests sought exclusive film rights to the magazine.
BY 1925 THE "Sour Owl" was being sent to all corners of the nation. Hardly a day passed that some enterprise didn't write in and request permission to reprint.
The "Sour Owl" stood alone in its glory until 1955 when a new humor magazine appeared on the campus by its side.
This new publication, the "Squat," was to appear four times yearly and the "Sour Owl" only three. Its object was to include creative as well as humorous material.
Library Lists Summer Hours
The schedule for Watson Library for the summer session has been announced by John Glinka, acting associate director of libraries.
During orientation, registration and enrollment week, June 7 through June 12. the hours will be: Monday to Friday, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday the library will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The library will be closed on Sunday.
For the regular summer session, June 14 to August 7, the hours will be: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library will be closed Sunday.
The schedules for other libraries on campus, such as the music library and the law library, will be posted at the entrances.
Official Bulletin
Foreign Students: Complete and turn in forms found in back pages of the May-June International Campus Newsletter.
TODAY
Senior Recital. 8:00 p.m. Kent Riley,
pianist, Swarthout Hall.
Wesley Foundation Community Worid-
land - 15 p.m. Methodist Center, 1314
Oroad
Episcopal Holy Communion, 9:30 p.m. Danforth Chapel.
TOMORROW
Catholic Mass, 6:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. St.
Lawrence Student Center.
Wesley Foundation Morning Prayer,
7:20 a.m. Methodist Center, 1314
Osprey
WHILE THE "SQUAT" seemed to thrive during its first year, disaster beefell the "Sour Owl." In 1956 the last issue of the "Sour Owl" was published, and KU's first humor magazine was banned from the campus.
Carillon Recital. 7 p.m. Albert Gerken.
Lady's Recital. 9 p.m. Shirley Randall, soprano. Swarthout Hall.
The last issue was followed by apologies to the administration for the "personable individuals ridiculed and defamed," therein.
But "Squat" was not to outlive the "Sour Owl." In 1958 the publication was brought before the ASC to discuss its need on the campus and its continuance. It was accused of not functioning as a good magazine to represent the University.
"SQUAT" LOST THE battle and joined the ranks of the lost with the "Sour Owl."
The third attempt for a successful humor magazine, "The Fowl," had buzzer-like Jayhawkers appearing on its pages and color photos of women, supposedly more of them than Jayhawks and more artistic.
BETTER QUALITY reportedly marked "The Fowl." Selling at 35 cents a copy, the magazine had special features on foreign cars, jazz, and other such topics.
The next spring there was a rumor circulating that the administration would be guiding and censoring "The Fowl." However, L. C. Woodruff, dean of students, said, "The only recognition I took of it was that the students should comply with basic stipulation in putting it out."
Kansas editorials were not too kind toward the magazine. An editorial appearing in the March 20, 1959 issue commented, "Walk—do not run—to get your copy . . . It is our guess that never before in the history of KU humor magazines has such an unfortunate mess been offered for consumption. The sadest thing about this 'humor' magazine is that it is not humorous."
"The Fowl" ended up like its predecessors—banned.
"THE BIRD," KU's latest campus humor magazine, ceased publication this spring after one issue.
The group of students who were putting out the magazine discovered that they were expected to place a portion of the magazine's profits in the General Publications Fund, which all campus publications are required to do.
The students, feeling that the magazine, as any humor magazine, must exist independently, did not
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publish another issue following the the initial one.
"THE FIRD" began as a project in a Problems class in General Management in the Business School.
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Some class members devised projects such as the renovation and re-sale of a house, while others created theoretical problems, as the construction of a marina at a local lake. One group decided to write and publish a humor magazine, and "The Bird" was born.
STUDENTS
The group spent nearly eight weeks working on the copy, layout, and taking pictures for the single issue that was published. Clark Ellis, Wichita graduate student, said that the reception of the magazine ranged from "very warm to icy cold."
"WE NEED A CAMPUS humor magazine," Ellis said, "and it needs to be an individual thing." He said that when, this fall, mention was made of a humor magazine, none of the old staff volunteered.
WE NEED
TYPISTS, STENOS,
OFFICE MACHINE OPERATORS
MANPOWER
Asked if he had any plans for publishing a humor magazine, he replied that the factor of time was strongly against it. Most of the old staff are now doing graduate work, or are busy with other campus activities.
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Hutchinson, Kansas
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Topeka, Kansas
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NATIONWIDE ORGANIZA TION TRAINEE ASSOCIATE PROGRAM (TAP)
Jayhawker Positions Open for Applications
Applications for positions on the 1966 Jayhawker magazine yearbook staff are available at the Jayhawker offices in the Kansas Union.
Earn $150-$200 a month in your spare time and throughout the year.
All applications should be completed and returned to the office by Thursday. They may be picked up at any time in an envelope which will be placed on the Jayhawker office door if the offices are not open, said Bob Burkhart, Kirkwood, Mo., junior and business manager for the Jayhawker.
If you like the work and are good at it, you can move up to full-time and $10,000 annually within one year. We are beginning an eight week Trainee Associate Program in Kansas City, June 9th with openings for ten young men ages 21-30 who will be Seniors or Graduate Students at the University of Kansas in the fall of 1965. This training program will require one evening a week and need not interfere with other summer employment. You need no previous selling experience, but must have a desire to earn more money.
"WHEN RETURNING THE AP- applications, if the office is not open, the student should slip them under the door so they will not be lost," Burkhart said.
"Individual applicants will be notified of a time for their interview, which we will hold before finals if at all possible." Burkhart said.
"Previous experience on the Jayhawker is helpful but not absolutely necessary for a position on either the editorial or business staffs," he said.
EDITORIAL POSITIONS open are: assistant editor, art director, ad-
Write to P.O. Box 214.
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201
You will be contacted to arrange an interview.
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