'Green Light' magazine to be a beacon for cultural commentary

Green Light, a new student magazine devoted to cultural commentary, hopes to publish its first issue this spring.

Andrew Perlmutter '06 conceived the idea as a response to a lack of commentary on life at the University. "We just decided we'd do it," Perlmutter explained.

"Our focus is on Princeton, the campus and creating a forum for dialogue for everyone in the local and global Princeton community," he said.

Perlmutter and business manager Ilya Boroditsky '06 said they are very excited about the first issue, which will feature a dialogue between professors Cornel West GS '80 and Robert George and an interview with Ian Caldwell, author of "The Rule of Four."

Boroditsky plans to print 10,000 copies of the first issue which will be enough to reach every undergraduate, faculty member and graduate student at the University along with 4,000 alumni.

The magazine, whose name comes from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," will be published once advertisers are lined up.

Perlmutter and Boroditsky said the magazine is modeled after The New Yorker and will feature four sections.

The "Op. Ed." section will comment on social phenomena on campus. One idea for the first issue is an article on the social politics of late meal seating at Frist Campus Center, Perlmutter said.

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The "Investigative" section will try to expose many unknown aspects of the Princeton community, Boroditsky explained.

The magazine will also try to be an interface between the campus and the larger University community, Perlmutter said. In this spirit, the magazine will regularly feature faculty and alumni essays and articles.

Green Light will also feature a "Reviews" section which will contain literary critiques of books by faculty and alumni. Perlmutter also wants to include reviews of student activities such as a cappella performances.

Much along the lines of The New Yorker, the magazine will also feature fiction writing, poetry and submitted art.

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The magazine's founders have very ambitious business plans. It will not be receiving any funding from the USG, but will rely on advertising from corporations as well as University departments, Boroditsky said.

"Diane Newman, publisher of Shape magazine, is putting us in touch with a number of advertisers including Nike, Mercedes and Volkswagen," Perlmutter explained. Boroditsky has been putting together media kits for potential advertisers which aim at "trying to sell to the Princeton market."

Though it is difficult for new student organizations to become permanent aspects of University life, both students are confident in their project.

"We did well at the Student Activities Fair. . . . We are very happy with student interest," Perlmutter explained. "One third of our staff are underclassmen . . . and we have a staff of 30," he added.

Boroditsky said he is committed to the project. "If people tell us no, we don't care. We will make it happen," he said.