UWM Post - History

History

The UWM Post was formally founded with that title in 1956 after the merger of the Wisconsin State College - Milwaukee and UW Extension Milwaukee division merged that year to form the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. The paper is ultimately descended from the publications of both schools and had frequently cited 1915 and 1888 as its founding year. It was the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee's unofficial campus news outlet and served as the primary source of student news, collegiate athletics and on- and off-campus events and issues for students and alumni. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, it competed with other campus papers, including the UWM Times, the Sun and the Leader.

An independent student-run news outlet, the UWM Post was governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected by the staff, with the editor in chief serving as chair. The Board was responsible for financial solvency of the newspaper, employment and management decisions, and daily operations.

The UWM Post during its period of dominance served as the primary on-campus opportunity for students in journalism, graphic design, marketing and business administration. In addition, the paper was an active member of the community through sponsoring educational and social events and supporting non-profit organizations.

The UWM Post maintained national affiliations with UWIRE, the Associated Collegiate Press, the Student Press Law Center and the Society for Professional Journalists. It has won awards from the American Scholastic Press Association, Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Society for Professional Journalists and a Best of Show award from the Associated Collegiate Press. The UWM Post’s coverage on events and issues was regularly cited in student and other publications.

At its peak, the Post produced Monday and Thursday editions with press runs of 10,000 to 15,000 copies each Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, plus summer issues. Seventy-five percent of the newspapers were distributed on the UWM campus, with the remaining newspapers disseminated to locations throughout the East Side, Riverwest, downtown, Bay View and north side neighborhoods.