Her Campus Comes to Suffolk

Her Campus, an online publication with over 200 chapters nationwide launched its Suffolk University chapter this past January. The group, which is currently comprised of roughly 15 members plans to expand in the 2012-2013 academic year.

According to Erica Markle, a second-year public relations major and one of the founding members of Her Campus Suffolk, the Suffolk chapter proposes to distinguish itself from other campus publications such as the Suffolk Voice by targeting the female demographic. In this vein, two of the main categories on Her Campus’ website are “Campus Celebrities” and “Campus Cuties.”

Her Campus is open to more than just writers. Nicole Rosa, a first-year advertising major who works as the treasurer of Her Campus Suffolk mentioned that the business end of the operation is arranging to get t-shirts for the group. This will advertise the chapter, give the group unity and as Rosa explains fuel the larger Her Campus body.

 “On the [main Her Campus] website they have a lot of options,” Rosa said, “they have a lot of shirts so we thought it would be nice to circulate the money back in through the company.”

This endeavor may build on the success that Her Campus Suffolk has already enjoyed. According to Markle, a top 10 list of the most popular Her Campus websites, which is measured by web traffic is sent out regularly. Despite facing competition from much bigger campuses, the Suffolk chapter has ranked as high as number seven on one list.

Markle said that her two goals for the upcoming year are to establish a big team and put on fun events. For the first goal the group is opening up its membership to anyone regardless of gender.

“We are looking into having a couple of guy writers to write infrequently,” Markle said, “just so they’re there to bring a guy’s point of view in.”

Along with new members, new challenges arise. The group has already faced some difficult situations as Allie Doheny, a second-year public relations major described the process of putting together a “Campus Celebrities” piece. Although she has put together successful pieces, getting some campus celebrities to talk can be tricky.

“There are celebrities, kids who go here,” said Doheny, “They don’t want people to know they go here. They want their privacy.”

Still, regardless of the obstacles, there may be rewards in the task alone as Janea Huerta, a second-year public relations major discussed how Her Campus may help her long term career.

“I want to get into public relations so I think having experience with the business team will help me pursue those goals outside of school or when school is over,” Huerta said.

As for the immediate future the Suffolk chapter is already preparing for its goal of having fun events by holding a launch party tentatively scheduled for September.

In the interim Her Campus Suffolk will continue publication during the summer though updates will be less frequent. Markle said that freshman guides that will be published once a week and focus on topics such as dorm decorating, the best places to eat and health.