Women’s magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Seventeen may have the juicy celebrity gossip, but Her Campus online specifically caters to students.
Her Campus online is specifically marketed to college women, written by college women. The magazine is divided into university branches that bring unique opinions and perspectives to its audiences. The UC Davis branch launched in February.
“The magazine provides articles that are relevant to a college woman’s life,” said Rachael Brandt, sophomore and founder of Her Campus’ UC Davis branch. “It provides a place for girls to have a common interest and relate to it.”
The site aims to provide a balance between Cosmopolitan and The New York Times. It features articles that are topically similar, but provides real life experiences to college women, Brandt said. Topics include love, health, politics and campus events.
“Every branch provides their own spin on what college women want to read about,” said Jessica Len, a sophomore and writer for Her Campus at UC Davis. “It provides more realistic advice.”
Amy Coyle, editor for Her Campus at UC Davis, also said that articles are tailored for the campus.
“Many of our articles reference uniquely Davis events like Picnic Day, Houseboats, working out at the ARC, spending an obscene amount of time at Shields library, etc.,” she said in an e-mail interview.
The Campus Cuties feature receives a lot of attention, Brandt said. Each week, students can log onto the site and nominate someone on campus who they find attractive and interesting.
Another popular trademark, Campus Celebrity, features a student who is especially of interest or part of a student group. Each week, readers nominate a campus celebrity to be featured on the site.
The publication is also currently working on an anonymous advice e-mail feature, similar to “Dear Abby” segments.
Currently, the UC Davis branch is ranked second nationally for site hits, Coyle said. However, most of the hits actually aren’t from UC Davis students. Coyle said she hopes to expand readership on campus.
To get involved, e-mail Brandt at Rachaelbrandt@hercampus.com or Coyle at aecoyle@ucdavis.edu. Meetings are held every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. in Wellman 101.
ALICIA KINDRED can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
