About the University Express
The University Express is the official campus newspaper of University College Cork, and keeps students up-to-date on news, features, sport & more across UCC's many campuses.
The University Express Through The Years
The Gazette
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University Examiner
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Campus Chronicle
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UCC Express
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University Xpress
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University Express
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The Gazette • University Examiner • Campus Chronicle • UCC Express • University Xpress • University Express •
Since 1972…
Originally a Students' Union publication formed in 1972, the Express owes its origins to ‘The Gazette’. The paper was given increased editorial independence in 1997, with Fionnán Sheahan, Students’ Union Publications Officer, launching the paper as the ‘University Examiner’. This name was chosen in part because of the paper's working relationship at the time with the Irish Examiner. The publication would go through many names over the years, being called ‘Campus Chronicle’ for one year in 2001, and the ‘University Xpress’, before moving to the name 'UCC Express' in 2004. Many might recall the final switch to the name 'University Express' in 2018 and there it has stayed ever since.
Referendum
In 2008 an important referendum was passed to create the Media Executive, an autonomous sub-committee of the SU. This referendum enshrined the paper’s editorial independence and meant that €2 from the capitation fee would go towards the funding of student media. This was later increase in 2019 to €5.
Awards
The Express is a regular at the annual Student Media Awards (also known as SMEDIAS), being nominated & shortlisted in almost every category over the years, and winning the Newspaper of the Year Award. In the past the UCC Express has won the coveted People's Choice Award & Newspaper of the Year, with recent success coming particularly in the Colour Writing category. Other Smedia winners include: Andree Heslin (2007 Features Writer of the Year in News and Current Affairs), Alan Good (2008 Journalist of the Year in National Press), Dan McClanahan (2008 Photographer of the Year), Robert Fehilly (2011 Travel Writer of the Year), Keavy O’Sullivan (2011 Colour Writer of the Year) and Stephen Barry (2013 and 2014 Sports Writer of the Year), Brian Conmy (2015 Colour Writer of the Year) and Robert O'Sullivan (2016 Colour Writer of the Year). Past staff members have also had success with other student publications, namely our sister publication Motley Magazine.