About Felix
First published in 1949, Felix is released weekly during term time and is distributed around Imperial’s London campuses. All students, staff, and alumni are welcome to contribute to the paper.
Originally there was only one regular student publication at Imperial: Phoenix, an arts magazine. Then, on Friday 9th December 1949, another publication hit the byways of Imperial: Felix.
Published every fortnight and costing 3d, its idea was to “comment upon the affairs of the College whilst they are still topical, and to bring to the attention of its members the activities of Clubs and Societies of which people at present know little, and knowing little, tend to care even less.”
The reason behind the name is largely unknown, although in the first edition the following was printed:
A debt of gratitude is owed to F.C. EWELS for his suggestion of a title. He shall be rewarded with a saucer of milk.
Keep the cat free
Since 1974, “Keep the cat free” has been Felix’s motto and a central tenet of its operation. The phrase applies in three aspects: editorial independence, free to read and free to write.
Editorial independence does not mean unfettered free speech. Just because we can say something doesn’t mean we should. Felix will always be an inclusive environment for as many people as possible. This being said, Felix does not conflate offence with harm, and any content that is not illegal or deeply immoral can be published at the Editor’s discretion, with the following statements in mind.
The paper will never hold a formal political agenda, nor will it be reliant on advertising for funding, despite the occasional inclusion of ads.
Felix retains the right to criticise anyone, excluding Union staff members, and is accountable only to the law in terms of defamation. As part of the Union, Felix is constituent to a charity that represents students. For this reason, Felix will never actively damage an individual student’s welfare without a considerable argument for public interest.
Since 1971 the paper has been free to pick up and read and will remain this way indefinitely.
The paper will always be a place that students, staff and alumni can write freely. This statement applies exclusively to the aforementioned groups, and guest posts, paid or otherwise, are never accepted. In the same spirit, Felix will never financially reward any contributions from the above groups.