Campus Magazine, a publication started by three recent UA graduates, has caused a stir on campus, with some saying it does not represent the university at all.
"It's glorifying the most stereotypical views of college students. All the ads are for salons and bars and clubs," said Amber Giuliano, family studies and human development junior.
Campus Magazine was started to showcase the founders' talent to future employers and to entertain the UA community. The managing editor of the magazine, John Hansen, said the goal of the magazine is to divert students from serious classroom topics and make it fun for students to look at.
But some students say the magazine represents only a small portion of the UA campus, namely the social and party-going portion. It has flawless-looking people from picture to picture and lacks content.
"My first impression was frat boys and sororities. It's the beautiful people's magazine," said Jimmy Matthews, psychology sophomore.
Tim Rehrmann, publisher of Campus Magazine, said the fact that the models are good-looking is because advertisers want beautiful people to wear their clothes.
Kenn Gaub, a pre-business sophomore who has seen two issues of the magazine, said it is written by people who party for people who party.
"It has less to do with academics and more to do with socializing," Gaub said.
Since its debut, with 5,000 issues last year, the magazine has published four issues this month, reaching a publication of 15,000 issues.
Interspersed between articles are sections showing what UA students do outside the serious classroom atmosphere. One section has images of students socializing and having fun while another presents a motivated student modeling clothes for advertisers.
Many UA students find other sections of the paper more light-hearted.
"I like the fashion do's and don'ts and random pictures of people with funny captions," Giuliano said.
Jill Tropea, an undeclared freshman, feels the same way.
"The pictures are really fun to look at," Tropea said. "I like to see what people are wearing."
The magazine also has several advertisements from various businesses around Tucson.
But some say the ads in the magazine are offensive.
Ana Muniz, women's studies and sociology freshman, said the magazine inaccurately portrayed the procedure of breast augmentation in its advertisement to UA female students.
"It was irresponsible to put it in like that," said Muniz
Muniz went to talk to Rehrmann after she saw the advertisement. She said they were very receptive to her ideas, and she plans to collaborate with them in writing an article concerning the realities of plastic surgery.
"I get to bring a different perspective of women who want to be valued as they are, who want their (bodies) to be respected ... and not feel pressured into changing them," Muniz said.
Muniz said the magazine is directed more toward women than men the way it is right now, but feels it has the potential to represent campus life.
"They are really a new magazine and they are being shaped. They are in the process of progressing. It's not their fault," said Muniz.
Rehrmann said he has always had an interest in publishing a magazine. Hansen and Lori Panchot, chief graphics designer of Campus Magazine, said they could not get a job after they graduated because they lacked the experience required.
The three then decided to publish a magazine that could display their talent to employers and at the same time entertain students with light-hearted, amusing topics. Rehrmann said they had to make some sacrifices.
Rehrmann had to sell his car and forgo his spring break vacation in order to save money to produce the magazine. He said the three spent six months planning out its publication.
Rehrmann and his staff want to show that the magazine is not simply about partying and beautiful people. He said they want to show the diversity of the UA campus and encourage students to voice their opinions of the magazine.
"If we're leaning toward body-building or greek too much, we need to concentrate on other areas that students are involved in. And the best way for us to find out what students want to see in the magazine is for students to contact us," Rehrmann said.
"We're dedicated to making Campus Magazine an entertainment magazine that students are proud of and enjoy every month," he said.
Next month's issue of Campus Magazine, with a Valentine's Day theme, will be placed in the 20 racks around the UA, which are personally made by Rehrmann and his staff. They got permission from the dean of students and the Facilities Management special events coordinator to put them up around campus.