The square Rolls on

Alternative newspaper gains mainstream footing on campus

October 21, 2008

Dave Majors '09, editor of the square, said he tries to maintain a mix of serious, entertaining and interesting articles.

In four years, the square has expanded from a student brainstorm to an established campus publication.

Founded by Pete Backof '07 in fall 2004, the square is Dickinson's alternative monthly newspaper that focuses on the arts, politics and culture. According to the current editor-in-chief, Dave Majors '09, the publication "tries to maintain a good mix of serious, interesting and humorous articles."

Not to mention a timely edginess. Swimmer Michael Phelps, barely dry after winning all eight events he entered at the 2008 Summer Olympics, adorned the square's September cover with the headline "Overrated?" and a subhead, "Sure, He Won Eight Gold Medals … But Do You Care, One Month Later?"

Backof rolled out and bankrolled the square from his residence hall his sophomore year. Dickinson began financially supporting the square last year when a portion of the campus media fund—financed by the student activities fee—went to the publication. And the square received a new, expanded office in the Kisner-Woodward media suite.

During the summer, Campus Progress, an organization that works to help young activists, journalists and artists make their voices heard, awarded the square a generous grant. The publication hopes to use the money to expand its Web presence.

"Feedback concerning the square has been overwhelmingly positive," said Majors. "Its membership grows yearly and the paper is considering adding four pages to each issue due to the growing number of interested new writers." Majors said he encourages writers to submit "interesting, creative and provocative pieces that are relevant to the Dickinson College community."

Majors said the square's content is strictly student driven and student edited.

"Having full creative control over the publication really lets us take ownership of our work," Majors added.

— Caitlin Yaeger '11