2008 Woodie Awards
Closing the books on the yearbook: The Mirage to cease publication after 07-08
By: Kali Geldis
Issue date: 5/6/08 Section: News
A Facebook theme, a fresh staff and an increase in copies sold have proved unsuccessful in saving DePauw's student-produced yearbook.
After more than 120 years of publication, The Mirage's 2008 volume will be its last, joining other college yearbooks like Purdue University's The Debris, which will also be producing its final edition this year.
Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Guess, a sophomore, said the decision to stop producing the yearbook was made last week at the year's final meeting of the Publications Board.
"I think, especially in the past, there has been less and less respect for the yearbook," Guess said. "It's either looked at as a high school thing, or in the Internet age, the book is really expensive."
Business Manager of The Mirage Sam Rund, a senior, said the yearbook has been doing fine financially, raising enough money through advertisements to fund the production of this year's edition.
"We haven't always had enough money to buy the equipment we need, but we've never had a major shortage," he said.
The Mirage has sold 371 copies of this year's edition, topping last year's sales by roughly 20 copies.
This year's Facebook theme was an attempt to combat a move from print yearbooks to online photo-sharing and social networking Web sites.
"A yearbook is a way to remember the people you spent time with, but now we have Facebook and MySpace and Classmates.com," Guess said.
Nationally, college yearbooks have been slowly disappearing. Roughly 20 college yearbooks have stopped publication in the past year, bringing the total still in existence to a little more than 80, according to the College Media Advisers organization.
The national trend still hits home for Guess.
"In principal, I think it's a really sad thing, but realistically, I think it's a good move by the Publications Board," Guess said.
Rund, who has been involved with The Mirage for three years, has seen interest in the yearbook decline over the years.
"It's a good yearbook; it's not a lack of quality, but a lack of interest," Rund said. "It's really sad. We sold enough ads to pay for everything, but there just isn't enough interest in making the yearbook."
The Mirage is no stranger to this issue, however. Last year, after no one had applied for the top editorial positions on staff, Publications Board considered stopping production before extending the application deadline. Five students applied for positions, keeping The Mirage alive for another year.
The same reprieve will not be possible this year, Guess said.
"There might be a couple of people who raise their voice, but it can't be avoided with minimal support."
Guess said the only way in which the yearbook might be reinstated is if there is a large outcry from the vast majority of the student body.
"It looks pretty final," she said.
After more than 120 years of publication, The Mirage's 2008 volume will be its last, joining other college yearbooks like Purdue University's The Debris, which will also be producing its final edition this year.
Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Guess, a sophomore, said the decision to stop producing the yearbook was made last week at the year's final meeting of the Publications Board.
"I think, especially in the past, there has been less and less respect for the yearbook," Guess said. "It's either looked at as a high school thing, or in the Internet age, the book is really expensive."
Business Manager of The Mirage Sam Rund, a senior, said the yearbook has been doing fine financially, raising enough money through advertisements to fund the production of this year's edition.
"We haven't always had enough money to buy the equipment we need, but we've never had a major shortage," he said.
The Mirage has sold 371 copies of this year's edition, topping last year's sales by roughly 20 copies.
This year's Facebook theme was an attempt to combat a move from print yearbooks to online photo-sharing and social networking Web sites.
"A yearbook is a way to remember the people you spent time with, but now we have Facebook and MySpace and Classmates.com," Guess said.
Nationally, college yearbooks have been slowly disappearing. Roughly 20 college yearbooks have stopped publication in the past year, bringing the total still in existence to a little more than 80, according to the College Media Advisers organization.
The national trend still hits home for Guess.
"In principal, I think it's a really sad thing, but realistically, I think it's a good move by the Publications Board," Guess said.
Rund, who has been involved with The Mirage for three years, has seen interest in the yearbook decline over the years.
"It's a good yearbook; it's not a lack of quality, but a lack of interest," Rund said. "It's really sad. We sold enough ads to pay for everything, but there just isn't enough interest in making the yearbook."
The Mirage is no stranger to this issue, however. Last year, after no one had applied for the top editorial positions on staff, Publications Board considered stopping production before extending the application deadline. Five students applied for positions, keeping The Mirage alive for another year.
The same reprieve will not be possible this year, Guess said.
"There might be a couple of people who raise their voice, but it can't be avoided with minimal support."
Guess said the only way in which the yearbook might be reinstated is if there is a large outcry from the vast majority of the student body.
"It looks pretty final," she said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Geoff Marsh
posted 5/08/08 @ 10:20 PM EST
After all these years, the chase for paper and inflated grades has taken a front seat over the memories that The Mirage could have kept fresh. Move over Moo U, here comes DPU. (Continued…)
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