It boasts the Harvard name on its masthead, but otherwise The Harvard Crimson strongly asserts its independence from its namesake--through outspoken student reporters, financial independence, its own building and even its own printing presses.

"[The Crimson] was financially, intellectually and editorially independent," says Derek C. Bok, whose term as University president spanned the '70s and '80s. According to present administrators and editors, it remains so today.

The Crimson enjoys a unique dual position as both a newspaper--with all the rights implicit in the freedom of the press--and a student group that benefits from Harvard resources.

"It would be very embarrassing for Harvard if they could not advertise that they have a University daily newspaper," says Joshua J. Schanker '98, president of The Crimson in 1997. "Although we're independent, we have an interesting relationship with the University where we are recognized as both a student group and an independent organization."

"We also receive benefits....We're allowed to poster on campus and recruit students at registration," he adds.

The Crimson "has a double standard," according to Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III.

"It is both a student group organization and it is considered independent," Epps explains. "It plays two roles. It binds us together because it's a daily, and it provides a public forum."

"We need it very much," he adds.

Despite its role as a public forum for the College, The Crimson maintains its legal independence.

The Crimson hires its own lawyer, Robert A. Bertsche of Hill and Barlow, and, Epps and Bertsche, a lawsuit against The Crimson would not affect the University. A Graduate Board of Crimson alumni--entirely separate from the University--advises the current editors.

Bertsche says the newspaper is a legally separate entity from the College.

"My understanding is that The Crimson does not have to submit itself for approval or certification by the administration," Bertsche says.

The Crimson's incorporation in 1967 also reflects the newspaper's independence.

"This incorporation means that only the assets of The Crimson are liable to satisfy any kind of judgment that may be entered against the newspaper, [and] not those of the University," Bertsche says.

Since its incorporation, The Crimson has remained linked to the campus through its student writers, the University-centered content of its coverage and some minor regulations.