These changes were made to try to establish a separate identity for the college from the South Park school district, which had been its parent.
The Cardinal, a very expensive operation and separate from the University Press, had had a series of disastrous years in sales and staffing.
The University Press inherited a part of the yearbook budget, and, for the first time, in 1976–77, began publishing twice weekly — every Wednesday and Friday.
Again, in 1985, a financial crunch hit the Golden Triangle owing to falling oil prices and Student Publications cut costs by canceling the expensive slick.
Later, a newspaper magazine called UPBeat was started as a supplement, more in keeping with today's trends.
Although the name “S’Park Plug” died many years ago, it remains apropos in describing the tradition that students since Elery Holland, that first editor, have continued in making the UP something of which the university is quite proud.
The University Press is also fortunate to be one of the best equipped newspapers, with one of the largest state-of-the-art Apple computer systems in Southeast Texas.
Howard Perkins, director of student publications from September 1976 to 2011, served five terms as president of the Southwestern Journalism Congress.