Queen's University. The Lictor

The Lictor was originally published in 1973 in order to to act as an alternative to the Queen’s Journal news reporting on the Queen’s campus. From 1973 to 1988, The Lictor went through a series of yearly elected editors who published student articles which shifted from largely concentrating on international and national political issues to mainly about student campus life. This shift was partly because of increased pressure on campus against the controversial nature of early articles which included sexual politics, gender identity and early environmentalism, including aboriginal land rights in wake of Hydro One dam construction in Quebec. Also importantly The Lictor provided a place for art, poetry and writing on campus. There was significant format changes under different editors from 1987 to1988 in order to revive earlier format of the publication which caused clashes within its editorial staff. Under this development strategy, the Lictor changed its name to Surface and begin publication as new magazine with a new look while keeping the alternative persona.