This morning, the OU Daily Publications Board voted to end the production of Sooner yearbook after the release of the 2018-2019 book, the 110th edition of the publication. The decision was made with the support of myself and the other student representatives in the room.
After many months of thoughtful deliberations, my fellow student leaders and I, the professional staff and the Publications Board have concluded that it no longer makes sense to produce the yearbook in its traditional format.
Individual and department sales of the yearbook have steadily declined in recent years, in spite of persistent and varied marketing efforts. The financial stability of Sooner has instead relied upon an arrangement with Camp Crimson, which constituted the bulk of our annual sales—over 90 percent last year. Each year they purchased a yearbook for every camp participant. But as spending habits are re-evaluated and purse strings are tightened across the university, Camp Crimson is no longer positioned to offer the same funding.
While yearbook sales have dried up, student interest in the production of visually-striking, long-form journalism has only grown. So the members of Student Media have sought better ways of sharing that work. We have directed more and more energy into the creation of magazines and other special publications. Crimson Quarterly, in particular, has evolved considerably in the past two years. It showcases some of the best writing, photography and design that our department produces, and it has reached wider audiences with more immediacy than the yearbook has been capable of in recent years.
In addition to Crimson Quarterly, Student Media staff will continue to produce other features publications, including the Living Guide, Sooner Saturday and the New to OU magazine. And beginning in the fall, they will produce a freshman-oriented publication geared toward Camp Crimson participants.
Personally, though, I regret that this shift will bring about an end to Sooner yearbook. I began working for Sooner in the fall of my freshman year, and it has fundamentally shaped my experience at OU. Through my work at the yearbook, I have gained a deeper understanding of and appreciation for this storied university and the community surrounding it. Through my work at the yearbook, I have gained real friends.
I know I am not alone in my disappointment. For over a century, Sooner yearbook has faithfully chronicled life at this university. Its existence is evidence of a passion shared by hundreds of former staffers over the years—a passion for telling the story of the University of Oklahoma and the individuals who are part of it.
But I am so optimistic about the future of student-led storytelling at OU Student Media. I find it incredibly exciting that students who have an interest in beautiful, in-depth journalism will still have a wonderful place to create it and will have the chance to share their work with a wider, more engaged audience.
We hope you read along.
