Wessex Scene#The Edge

The Wessex Scene initially began as Wessex News on 25 February 1936, and was published by students Union of the, then, University College.{{cite web|title=Wessex News|url=https://www-lib.soton.ac.uk/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=37i1ESOU0T/HARTLEY/96060078/9|website=WebCat|publisher=University of Southampton Library|access-date=26 March 2015}} The Union had at this time just been granted a section of the main University building following new construction work and as a result had begun to expand in operations.{{cite book|last1=Nash|first1=Sally|last2=Sherwood|first2=Martin|title=The University of Southampton: An Illustrated History|date=2002|publisher=James & James|isbn=9780907383949|page=42}} From this foundation the paper was printed regularly in newspaper format with relatively few changes. The name changed to the current Wessex Scene in 1996 to reflect on the other content that was being fed into the paper and the publication launched online in the 2001 academic year.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

The publication's ownership by the Students' Union has resulted in conflict at times between the student writers and editors of the publication, and the officers at the Union who are also Editors-in-chief but who have a minimal role. This has led to claims of censorship and that the Union blocked stories that they believed did not fit with the values of the Union.{{cite news|last1=Crawford|first1=Robert|title=Independence threatened at University newspaper|url=http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Student/2011-05-27/Independence_threatened_at_University_newspaper.html|access-date=27 March 2015|work=The National Student|date=27 May 2011}}{{cite web|last1=Fuhl|first1=Jessica|title=The So:baring Truth About Student Editorial Independence?|url=https://jessicafuhl.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/the-sobaring-truth-about-student-editorial-independance/|website=Views on Student News|date=16 April 2011 |access-date=27 March 2015}}{{cite news|title=Editorial Independence Threatened: An Open Letter from the Wessex Scene|url=http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/news/2011/05/23/editorial-independence-threatened-an-open-letter-from-the-wessex-scene/|access-date=27 March 2015|work=Wessex Scene|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|date=23 May 2011}} Subsequently, a Code of Conduct was written for the writers of the publication to adhere to.{{cite web|title=SUSU Media Code of Conduct|url=https://blogs.susu.org/policy/2012/04/23/susu-media-code-of-conduct/#content|website=SUSU|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}}

In 2013 the Wessex Scene and The Edge became founding members of the Student Publication Association. The association was founded as a result of the efforts of David Gilani, the Vice-President Communications at the Students' Union and Editor-in-chief of both publications at the time.{{cite news|last1=Llewellyn|first1=Gareth|title=Student publication support network finally rolled out|url=http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/10512-student_publication_support_network_finally_rolled_out|access-date=27 March 2015|work=The Journal|date=15 April 2013}} SUSU and the two publications hosted the first conference in April 2013 and also hosted the 2015 conference.{{cite web|title=SPANC13|url=http://www.spajournalism.co.uk/conference-2015/spanc14/2013-2/|website=SPA|publisher=Student Publication Association|access-date=27 March 2015}}

• Jason Cowley (Editor, New Statesman)
• John Denham (UK politician)
• John Inverdale (BBC)
• Dominic Mohan (Editor, The Sun)
• John Sopel (BBC)
• Alan Whitehead (UK politician)

The Scene is run by an editorial team headed by the Editor-in-Chief, currently James Hurford for 2023-2024 academic year, who is elected by the members and whose term covers the mention academic.{{cite web|title=Opportunity Profile: Wessex Scene Editor|url=https://www.susu.org/opportunity-profile/wessex-scene-editor.html|website=SUSU.org|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}} Part of the Creative Industries Zone of the Students' Union, the work of the publication is overseen by the Vice-President Activities Industries, the Sabbatical officer in charge of the zone who acts as Editor-in-chief, currently Corin Holloway.{{cite web|title=Creative Industries Zone|url=https://www.susu.org/representation/zones/4|website=SUSU.org|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}} The editor is supported by a Deputy Editor, currently Anton Allegranza Quicke for 2023-2024 academic year, and a team of editors each overseeing all of the sections of the publication of News & Investigations, Features, Creative Writing, Politics, Opinion, Pause (Satire), Lifestyle, Science and Technology, Travel, International, and Sport.{{cite web|title=Wessex Scene|url=https://www.susu.org/groups/wessex-scene|website=SUSU.org|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}} There are further positions as the Heads of Design, Marketing, Events and Imagery.

{{Infobox magazine

| title = The Edge

| logo = File:The Edge Logo Black.png

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| editor = Rosie Spurrier{{cite web | url=https://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/contact-us/committee-details/ | title=Meet the Committee | date=17 September 2013 }}

| editor_title = Editor

| editor2 = Kye Preston

| editor_title2 = Deputy

| previous_editor =

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| category =

| frequency = Monthly

| circulation =

| publisher = University of Southampton Students' Union

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| founder =

| founded = 1995 / 2011

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| country = United Kingdom

| based = University of Southampton

| website = {{URL|theedgesusu.co.uk/}}

}}

The Edge is the University of Southampton's entertainment publication. Originally created in 1995 as a supplement of the Wessex Scene, The Edge has been published independently since Autumn 2011, and is its own distinct department of the Students' Union.{{cite web|title=The Edge|url=https://www.susu.org/groups/the-edge|website=SUSU.org|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}}{{better source needed|date=November 2018}} Online content is published regularly each day, and eight print issues are published per year.

The Edge focuses on entertainment news and reviews; it covers union, local and national theatre/live music, and release of records, film and television. In 2014, The Edge won the award for Best Design at the annual Student Publication Awards,{{cite web|url=http://spajournalism.com/spanc14-winners-announced/|title=#SPANC14 winners announced – Student Publication Association|date=4 May 2014|access-date=15 October 2016}} and in 2015 Records Editor Hannah Mylrea won highly commended in the Best Entertainment Piece category.{{cite web|url=http://spajournalism.com/spanc15-award-winners-announced/|title=#SPANC15 Award Winners Announced – Student Publication Association|date=13 April 2015|access-date=15 October 2016}}

The Editorial Team of The Edge includes an overall Editor (as of 2024/25, Rosie Spurrier), a Deputy Editor, Section Editors, and Department Heads, including Design and Publicity.

As defined by the society Constitution, the position of Editor is a 'Student Leader' position, and is decided in cross-campus elections by the Students' Union in early Spring, in the main elections period for the Union.{{cite web|title=Opportunity Profile: The Edge Editor|url=https://www.susu.org/opportunity-profile/the-edge-editor.html|website=SUSU.org|publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}} The remainder of the committee is decided at the publication's AGM each year, in around late April. There are currently Editors for News, Records, Live, Film, and Culture, and positions for Fundraising, Events and Publicity officers, Design, two PR officers and an Online Manager.{{cite web|title=Meet the Committee|url=http://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/contact-us/committee-details/|website=The Edge|date=17 September 2013 |publisher=University of Southampton Students' Union|access-date=27 March 2015}} Executive positions are decided on a year-by-year basis. The work of the publication forms part of the Union's Creative Industries Zone, and is overseen by the Vice-President Activities who, for 2023/24, is Amy Moir.{{cite web | url=https://www.susu.org/whats-on/leadership-elections.html | title=What's on - Leadership Elections }}

• Surge (radio station)
• SUSUtv

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/ Wessex Scene]
• [http://www.theedgesusu.co.uk The Edge]
• [http://www.susu.org Southampton University Students' Union]

{{University of Southampton}}

Category:Student newspapers published in the United Kingdom

Category:Magazines established in 1936

Category:Wessex

Category:University of Southampton

Category:1936 establishments in England