Self-described as "The Humorous Publication of Indiana" the Bored Walk was first published in January 1931 under the faculty supervision of the Dean of Men, C. E. Edmondson and the Dean of Women, Agnes E. Wells. The first student editor was Bernard Nordberg. The Arbutus (student yearbook) from that year described it as "a typical college humor magazine containing cartoons, stories, and jokes about various people on the campus and events of the university. Its scandal page, Borings, is one of the most interesting features of the magazine."

Over the years, attempts were made by the student owners and editors to have the Bored Walk published by the University. They believed that publication by the university would increase circulation and advertising opportunities. IU's administration, however, was never inclined to take over the publication, and the Bored Walk remained under student control.

The last issue was released in October of 1942 following several complaints concerning the content by the Dean of Women, church officials, administrators, and Bloomington residents. The offending October issue contained several jokes of a sexual nature, some of which included rude remarks against the Catholic Church. IU Comptroller W. G. Biddle wrote of the publication's end saying, "It was no longer decent enough to be distributed as a product of Indiana University students."