The earliest student guides or handbooks (circa 1907-1930s) were produced by the senior student honorary group “Pralma.”  These had various titles and formats, but generally included campus rules and regulations for freshmen students.

After the creation of the Student Senate (Student Governing Body) in 1940, committees of students worked with the Office of Student Activities staff to create the yearly guide.  Also involved were members of Omicron Delta Kappa, the men’s senior honorary, and Mortar Board, the women’s senior honorary.  This pattern continued until 1965 when the Sophomore Student Commission assisted.  Between 1966 and 1991 the student guides were produced by staff from the Office of Student Affairs, including Residential Life and the Campus Programming departments.  Titles and formats varied, but general focused on official campus rules and policy, with some informal advice on campus living.

Student Union (SU), Washington University's undergraduate student government formed in 1968-69.  Student Union carries out three major activities: representing student interests; registering, funding, and supporting student groups; and planning campus-wide events.  In 1976 SU began producing an informal student guidebook, independent from campus staff, titled “Resource.”  This was published until 1991, when SU began publishing the comprehensive “Bearings” which combined official campus policy and informal advice.  As of 2009 “Bearings” is published by SU in an on-line format only.

For further information, please refer to the website of the Student Union of Washington University in St. Louis.