Vermont Cynic

Students at the University of Vermont have been publishing the Cynic since 1883. The publication appeared as the University Cynic from 1883 to 1908. It was issued every three weeks until 1899 and biweekly until 1908. More of a magazine than a newspaper during these years, it included sections such as general literature, letters, science, personals, locals (with a subsection for “base ball”), books, exchanges (news from other college papers), alumni notes, and editorials. With the first issue of Volume 17 in May 1908, a title change to Vermont Cynic and Monthly reflected a weekly publishing schedule, with three issues of news followed by a magazine issue each month. The next fall, the students offered the UVM campus a weekly newspaper with the title The Vermont Cynic, leaving production of literary magazines to other student groups. The Vermont Cynic appeared in print every week during the academic year with free distribution on campus. Editorially independent, the Cynic provided a student perspective on news and events related to the university and the local community, with occasional reporting on national news and issues. As a forum for discussion and debate, the paper included editorials, opinions and letters from readers. In 2001, the Vermont Cynic added digital publication. Print was suspended in spring 2020 and briefly resumed in fall 2020. Confronting financial challenges and a decline in print readers, after a second attempt to restart print distribution in 2022, the Cynic became an online publication only.