Nouse (Ancient Greek: nous, meaning intellect, or common sense; also the local River Ouse; also a potential pun on the words 'No Use') is a student newspaper and website at the University of York. It is the oldest registered society of, and funded by, the University of York Students' Union. Nouse was founded in 1964 by student Nigel Fountain, some twenty years before its rival York Vision. The newspaper is printed three times in each of the Autumn and Spring terms, and twice in the Summer term, with frequent website updates in between print runs. As of June 2022, Nouse has printed 500 editions. Unlike many other university newspapers, which have sabbatical editors, Nouse staff is made up entirely of current students. It has changed dramatically in outlook and presentation over the years, being known at one point as the Nouse Co-operative or NouseCoop, and presenting itself as a samizdat publication throughout the 1980s. The last edition of the 2006–07 academic year was printed in full-size broadsheet format, but it is now printed in a tabloid size. It nonetheless remains distinguished from its campus rival York Vision in layout and tone. In the last few years Nouse has become the university's largest media society, picking up multiple nominations and wins in the National Student Journalism Awards and Guardian Student Media Awards. In April 2019, Nouse hosted the Student Publication Association National Conference in York, which featured the organisation's national awards night, and was attended by student journalists from across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Prominent members of the journalism industry delivered talks over the weekend including Jim Waterson and Owen Jones. The Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York Library has an archive of Nouse editions that stretches back to the first edition, published on 23 November 1964.

Content

The main paper contains sections on news, comment, politics, business, science, and sport. The "Muse" culture section includes features, columns, arts, fashion, music, film and TV, gaming, travel, and food and drink pages. The website holds an archive of the printed pieces from 2005, as well as publishing content such as breaking news, sports results, live coverage of campus events and other features not in the print edition.

Supplements

Through the year Nouse publishes various supplements: Nouse celebrated their 500th edition on Tuesday 14 June 2022. The print edition was the longest in Nouse's history, running to 56 pages, and included eight extra pages, including interviews with notable University of York alumni and influential thinkers. This edition the final one for the serving Editor-in-Chief, Ed Halford, and the Deputy Editor's, Lucy Cooper.

Nouse Events

In 2012 the paper began Nouse Events, a new events series. Speakers included George Galloway and Jeremy Paxman. In 2013, this became the York Union, which has attracted speakers including Baroness Scotland, Jon Snow, Alastair Campbell, Peter Tatchell, and Mark Lawson. University of York alumnus Peter Hitchens is a regular guest. Editor from October 2018 to June 2019, Joseph Silke, concurrently held the role of York Union President from January 2018 to April 2019.

Awards

Nouse has had continued success in a number of awards, most notably in the Guardian Student Media Awards.

Notable contributors

Former University of York Chancellor, and Director of the FA, Greg Dyke wrote a column for the paper in the early 1970s, "Gryke". The late Labour MP Tony Banks and the author Anthony Horowitz also wrote for the paper early in its history. Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens wrote a comment piece in October 2012.

Alumni