The Emory Wheel was founded in 1919 and is currently the only student-run newspaper of Emory University. The Wheel publishes on Wednesdays during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions.

The Wheel is financially and editorially independent from the University. It is self-funded through advertising revenue, making it the largest student business on campus. The Wheel is distributed all over campus and in the surrounding neighborhood. All of the newspaper's content is generated or edited by the Wheel's staff.

The editor in chief is chosen in February through a general election of the newspaper's staff. An editor's term lasts from the first issue after spring break to the last issue before spring break.