GW students saw a new perspective on fashion, the campus social scene and University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg’s drinking habits Tuesday with the launch of Verse magazine.
The magazine offers a realistic perspective on campus life, with stories on drinking, nightlife and a candid interview with Trachtenberg about his college days. The 31-page publication is student-run and is the only GW culture magazine currently on campus.
“I would think someone would have thought of this before,” said sophomore Addia Cooper-Henry, the magazine’s founder and editor in chief.
Verse staffers covered Provisions Market in brightly colored posters advertising the publication this week. The market sold all of its 200-something copies Tuesday. Staffers also played loud music on Kogan Plaza and gave out candy in martini glasses to promote the magazine.
Cooper-Henry said if profits from advertisements supercede printing costs, the magazine could be free in the future. It currently costs $3 on Colonial Cash.
Cooper-Henry said she has always wanted to start her own magazine. After moving from New York to D.C. at the beginning of college, she said she discovered the city on her own because GW did not have a publication to guide her through it.
Students produced Verse in their apartments using wireless networks, digital cameras, computers and photo shop software, directors said.
“We wanted each page to have its own look,” said senior Brandon Perlman, creative director and head photographer.
Stevenson Printing in Alexandria, Va., publishes the magazine.
Perlman said students plan to publish an April/May issue to follow up the February/March issue. The $6,000 printing cost prevents monthly publication, but several investors have expressed interest in advertising in future issues, Perlman said.
“I hope the student population will support it because it could be a big thing,” Cooper-Henry said.
Some students said they enjoyed reading the magazine and that it has a professional look.
“The magazine is an interesting, unique way to present things students would be interested in,” freshman Caroline Misan said.
Some students said that while the publication is aesthetically pleasing, they would like to see a larger variety of students featured.
Junior Karlyn Green and sophomore Dina Galante said they liked the style, layout and photography of the publication, but added that it does not feature a realistic representation of the student population and could use more diversity.
A “diversified” section features nine students talking about trends, music and District restaurants. Other random students give their opinions on music, and an article features a group of freshman males and senior males on a typical night on the town. n
