''The Rocket'' is a weekly newspaper published by the students of Slippery Rock University. It was established in 1934. Its weekly circulation was 7,000 in 2015.

History

''The Rocket'' began publication in 1934. Student participation and journalism enrollment increased in the 1970s, following the Watergate scandal controversy. In 1970 its front page showed a simulated wanted poster accusing U.S. President Richard Nixon of "

homicide Homicide occurs when a person kills another person. A homicide requires only a volitional act or omission that causes the death of another, and thus a homicide may result from accidental, reckless, or negligent acts even if there is no inten ...

and conspiracy". The

alumni association An alumni association or alumnae association is an association of graduates or, more broadly, of former students (alumni). In the United Kingdom and the United States, alumni of universities, colleges, schools (especially independent schools), ...

and faculty council denounced the issue, but the college stated that the paper had its own editorial policy and was a publication by students. The paper again found itself in the news when its editorial cartoon in 2006 dealt with reverse racism.Jackson, Mary Robb (March 31, 2006). "College Paper Cartoon Stirs Racial Tensions". KDKA-TV. Retrieved February 15, 2008.

Organization

The newspaper has three sections: News, Sports, and Campus Life. It is published every Friday during the academic period with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. In 2015 Mark Zeltner was the adviser to ''The Rocket''.

Circulation and distribution

''The Rocket'' has a total weekly circulation of 7,000 and is distributed throughout campus and the surrounding community of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

Original Comics

''The Rocket'' has published Slippery Rock University students' original comics, including an editorial cartoon and two comic strips, a more serious action comic titled "''The Rock''" and a traditional comic titled ''Homeless and the Cat''. The latter of the two underwent title and character changes as it was taken over by different authors. It is now titled ''Homeless and the Kid''. A comic strip titled "Life at the Rock" was featured in 1999 penned by Corey Bugenhagen. In addition, the comic strip ''The Life of Bobbin'' was featured in 1994 and 1995 penned by Rob Gerlach.

External links

Footnotes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rocket Publications established in 1934 Student newspapers published in Pennsylvania