University to launch new mag to compete with the 'Troub'

She forcefully opened the door and rushed to her seat. Outside, the wind gently howled, picking up not one or two, but many leaves on its way to the Atlantic. Inside, 20 people waited for her words. They waited quite impatiently, for she was already late.

But she took her time. She opened her binder, fingered and read through her notes. "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen," she practiced silently to herself. It seemed like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Twenty people made quite a large audience — larger then 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19.

And then, just as the wind outside died down, she started.

In a special press conference this week, Provost Amy Gutmann announced the introduction of a "new, unique and better" University-published magazine called the Princeton Minstrel Serial intended to compete with Troubadour, the recently released student-run campus publication.

With the poetic writing of The New Yorker and stunning visuals of National Geographic, the University's travel magazine will attempt to draw readers in with vivid descriptions of places.

Like the Troubadour, it will have personal accounts, illustrations and generous pictures of Anna Kournikova '06 on its cover. Unlike the Troubadour, however, the Minstrel will only use work by administrators. Additionally, in lieu of using material from trips abroad, the focus will be on places on campus.

The first issue, due out next week, will investigate "obscure and unimportant" campus places such as Quadrangle Club, Firestone Library, the old nuclear facility next to the Dinky also known as New South and academic classrooms.

"The Minstrel seeks to call attention to the small, forgotten aspects of life in Princeton," said Gutmann, who will serve as the magazine's first editor-in-chief. "It stimulates these small things until they become the big objects they should be to the naked eye."

The second issue, Gutmann added, will deal with popular Princeton student hangouts like Theta girls and Palmer Square, while the third one may be a special swimsuit edition featuring Robert F. Goheen Professor of the Humanities Toni Morrison.

"Toni once commented about the 'spirit of the place,' and the 'place of the spirit,' " Gutmann noted. "While I have no idea what that means, Toni can by herself be thought of as an expansive place."

In an exclusive interview during her office hours, Tilghman hailed the Minstrel as the first of its kind and applauded the efforts of her colleagues. "As far as I know, I haven't seen anything like it. It definitely is better than anything students will ever produce," she said.

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The magazine has yet to be approved by the Board of Trustees. Ivy Club, Saint A's and her parents funded the publication of the first issue, Gutmann said. Dean of Admission Fred Hargadon also accepted donations for the magazine from prospective freshmen.

Fred proudly acknowledged his part in launching Minstrel. "The Class of 2006, as always, is shaping up to be an exceptional bunch. The average family income of students we have accepted is $1.2 million, and 99.7 percent have donated to the PMS fund," he said.

"Only Kournikova '06 has refused to donate, but we are confident that she will contribute to campus, and specifically to the admission dean, in other ways."