I at all times loved writing, and the primary time I noticed my identify in print was for my elementary college newspaper. It was only a photocopied publication of possibly six pages, however I liked being part of it.
When center college got here round, we didn’t have a paper, however we did in highschool, and I spent two years writing for the highschool newspaper. My articles have been largely about music in highschool. I bear in mind one of many articles was all about how outraged I used to be that the band New Mannequin Military couldn’t tour within the US, as a result of the federal government thought they have been too subversive or one thing.
Additionally, throughout highschool, I revealed a zine referred to as A Silver Lining. It began out as a U2 fanzine, however over time it developed to cowl native punk exhibits, opinions of information that have been despatched to me, and cartoons from the guitarist of the Useless Milkmen (we have been pen friends).
I additionally had some options in there. My two favourite objects in A Silver Lining have been a rambling multi-page letter from Charles Manson and Mad Libs from Evel Knievel. I’d requested Manson what he considered U2, and he went on about authorities conspiracies and Abbie Hoffman. The Mad Libs from the legendary daredevil have been typical solutions, nevertheless it was superior that he despatched them again.
Pre-Journalism and School Newspapers
Anyhow, by the point I went to varsity, I nonetheless needed to put in writing. I began with a serious in Pre-Journalism (my first of three majors I sampled), and I headed as much as the Diamondback newspaper workplace on the College of Maryland. I used to be able to be the man writing about music. However they informed me they needed an article in regards to the marching band to see my model, and I walked out and by no means returned.
A 12 months or so later, I bought concerned with a newspaper referred to as the Greek Insider and wrote a handful of articles. However that paper closed down after some key individuals graduated.
That door closing gave me an concept. Possibly I may begin up my very own newspaper on Greek life on the College of Maryland. So, I pitched it to the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the Panhellenic Affiliation (PHA) that in the event that they lined the printing prices, I’d deal with all the pieces else.
They stated sure, and the Greek Occasions was born.
Delivery of the Greek Occasions
That was the simple half. After the sure, I had to determine the right way to put collectively a newspaper. To that time, all of my faculty papers had been written on a non-electric typewriter that I’d had from my zine days. I had to determine the right way to use a Macintosh SE within the campus laptop lab.
Somebody informed me a few program referred to as PageMaker for laying out the newspaper, however the software program was not put in on the computer systems within the lab. So, I had to make use of MacWrite II and set the column width to a few inches so the pages would have 4 columns throughout.
After I entered the content material, I’d have to chop every headline and column with an X-acto knife after which paste them onto these large boards. It was a painstaking, imperfect course of, however I loved it.
Whereas I preferred writing for the Greek Insider, I needed to do one thing completely different. I used to be eager about a extra lifestyle-focused publication. It had fraternity and sorority information, but additionally a wholesome share of enjoyable content material.
The primary situation featured some typical objects like a Greek Week preview, protection of rush, new Order of Omega members, and Greeks who have been not too long ago lavaliered, pinned, and engaged.
However I additionally added within the outcomes of a scholar survey on opinions of Greeks from non-Greeks on campus, an recommendation column, my interview with Joe Jack Talcum of the Useless Milkmen, and a assume piece on Cisco (aka Liquid Crack). Plus, there have been as many advertisements as I may slot in there, since I bought to maintain the advert income.
The scholars preferred it, however the IFC and PHA weren’t as eager on the content material. They needed extra critical protection of Greek life.
With situation two, I bought extra critical by working the outcomes of a intercourse survey, a hype article on the upcoming IFC Ball, an expanded recommendation column (all questions have been faux and made up by me and given to the recommendation columnist, Kendra, to reply), “vox populi” (voice of the individuals) with the query, “What was your worst Spring Break expertise,” and protection of going to the Vous to get drunk on a snow day.
I additionally reprinted an article to deliver consciousness to college students about date rape.
The second situation had one other heat reception by college students, and once more I used to be requested to focus extra on constructive PR for the Greek system.
I stated sure, after which put a photograph of considered one of my bare brothers (it was censored) on the duvet after he’d been honored because the Silver Sweetheart of Alpha Phi. There was additionally an article about an acoustic duo referred to as Sean & Dave (my fraternity brother Sean Pelan and Dave Peter, who was in SAE), a full web page for the ridiculous recommendation column, some letters to the editor, a goofy cartoon from a fraternity brother, and an article about Smurfing (writing throughout somebody once they have handed out).
I did embrace some critical content material… a reprinted article in regards to the authorized bias in opposition to rape victims.
I used to be getting nice suggestions from fraternity and sorority members, and once more, I bought an earful from the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Affiliation.
It appeared like they have been shedding their endurance with me, so I went critical for the subsequent cowl and ran an interview with Terry Zacker, the College Director of Greek Life, in addition to schedules for fraternity and sorority rush.
But additionally went random once more with recommendation on killing roaches, a threatening letter from a lawyer a few earlier recommendation column reply, a brand new recommendation columnist (my fraternity brother, Aaron Falcione), a breakdown of several types of beer, and one other cartoon.
At that time, the plug was pulled on the Greek Occasions. The IFC and PHA determined to go in a unique, extra critical course, and I used to be pushed out after 4 superb points.
Initially revealed at https://shawncollins512.substack.com.
