The Student Publications Board sets policy and selects the editors of UT student publications that receive an annual subsidy from the Student Programs and Services Fee. The board is the successor to the University of Tennessee Publishing Association (chartered as a corporation in 1916), known as the Publications Council, which was established by UT President Brown Ayres in 1910 to set policy, select editors and, generally, as the vehicle for issuance of student publications. Prior to 1910 the editors and managers of the various UT publications were selected by popular vote.
The association was structured to be managed by a board of directors, with the president of the university serving as an ex officio member. The president appointed three members of the council—two faculty members and one alumnus or alumna. The remaining three members, two students and one alumnus or alumna, were elected by students who subscribed to the publications. On October 26, 1971, the Publications Council (Association) voted to dissolve the corporation if an organization to take over its responsibilities could be established at UT. Upon the recommendation of Chancellor Dykes, the board of trustees voted to accept the assets and liabilities of the corporation and authorized the creation of a Student Publications Board to succeed the Publications Council, following its dissolution. With this change, student publications became a department in the Student Affairs Division, with the Publications Board serving as its policy-making and advisory body.