The Daily Aztec is a not-for-profit, independent student newspaper serving San Diego State University (SDSU) and the surrounding College Area in San Diego, California.

The Daily Aztec publishes on a regular basis when the university is in session (excluding holidays). It serves a student population of over 35,000 and a faculty and staff population of over 4,000.^[1] It is named for the university's mascot, the Aztec.

History

In the Fall of 1913, the student body of the then-San Diego Normal School voted to begin publishing a four (4) page weekly campus newspaper.^[2] The first edition premiered Nov. 26, 1913, as a four-page tabloid, under the name of the Normal News Weekly.^[2] In 1921, the paper was renamed the Paper Lantern.^[2] In 1960, the paper shifted to daily publication, becoming The Daily Aztec.^[2] Over the years the publication's frequency varied; as of Fall 2013, it appears twice a week.^[3] In 2017, the organization received a first place award for best college newspaper, from the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists. Several staff members also received individual awards.^[4]

Structure

Although previously connected with the SDSU journalism department, The Daily Aztec is now a program of Associated Students of San Diego State University. The paper is student-run and independent, but overseen by the Student Media Advisory Committee (SMAC). SMAC is composed of students, faculty and staff from SDSU and has both permanent and annual members; SMAC hires the editor in chief, approves the paper's budgets, and is responsible for ensuring that paper follows approved advertising and editorial policies.^[2]

Editors in chief

Daesha Gear - 2023-2024 Academic Year
Gabriel Schneider - 2022-2023 Academic Year
Catlan Nguyen - 2021-2022 Academic Year
Brenden Tuccinardi – 2020-2021 Academic Year
Bella Ross – 2019-2020 Academic Year
Will Fritz – 2018-2019 Academic Year
Andrew Dyer – 2017–2018 Academic Year
Jacob Sisneros – 2016–2017 Academic Year
Kelly Hillock – 2015–2016 Academic Year
Monica Linzmeier – 2014–2015 Academic Year
Leonardo Castaneda – 2013–2014 Academic Year
Antonio Zaragoza – 2012–2013 Academic Year
Allie Daugherty – 2011–2012 Academic Year ^[5]
Ruthie Kelly – 2010–2011 Academic Year
Faryar Borhani – 2009–2010 Academic Year
Amanda Strouse – 2008–2009 Academic Year
Giselle Domdom – 2007–2008 Academic Year
Ben Tambaschi – 2006–2007 Academic Year
Raven Tyson – 2005–2006 Academic Year
Joe Zarro – 2004–2005 Academic Year
Jessica Zisko – 2002–2003 Academic Year
Matthew A. Dathe – 1988–1989 Academic Year
R. Andrew "Andy" Rathbone – 1986–1987 Academic Year, Author "Windows for Dummies"

A former editor in chief, Dave Hasemeyer (1978–79), went on to win a Pulitzer Prize in 2013 while working for Inside Climate News.^[3]