In 1953 the All Students’ Council began publication of the Hill, with a view toward creating more student interest in campus affairs. While the Torch, published by the University’s Christian Associations for freshmen, included some of the information, the Hill described campus activities and explained how to become involved on campus and provided general information about services offered by the various departments and organizations of the university. Tennessee Girl provided additional information for female students. In January 1956 the Hill merged with the Torch, and the combined publication was published both by the All Students’ Council and the U-T Christian Association.
The Hill was the forerunner of the institutionally published Hilltopics, which included information previously in the Hill and the Tennessee Girl and provided official information needed by students. Hilltopics was instituted with the change to a dean of students’ system of Student Affairs Administration in 1970.