Oct. 15, 2004, a third-year College student by the name of Christopher Miles spent his Friday afternoon receiving strange looks and many questions. One of the most frequently asked questions was, "Does the V stand for Vagina?"
Miles is the creator of a new magazine called simply, V -- "V" for Virginia, that is.
"When I handed it to them, people would look at me skeptically like, 'What is this?'" Miles said. "One thing that I found strange was that almost half of the people didn't know what the V stood for. I don't really understand it. ... I would look down and see the big V's painted on the ground and wonder if they were serious."
So, what's with the V? On the back page is a letter from Miles, who happens to be the new magazine's creator and editor. He wrote that the mission of V is "to teach U.Va. how to look better, play harder and live happier."
Miles expanded a bit on his comments in the editor's letter.
"I felt like there was a void," he said. "I want to broaden U.Va. horizons and help students to find out what's in the community. We try to cover people who do a lot for the school and community who don't get the recognition they deserve. We want to introduce them to the student body."
Second-year College student Kat Womack said she appreciated the magazine's efforts.
"The magazine is a good idea because it's nice to read something other than just newspapers," Womack said. "I like the fact that when I turn the pages, I don't get black ink smeared on my fingers."
Other students, however, said that they prefer newspapers to the magazine. "If I saw the Cav Daily and the V magazine laying next to each other, I would choose the Cav Daily every time," second-year College student Ryder Kenerson said.
Miles thought of the idea "when I was sitting on the bus, and it kind of just came to me," he said. He decided to put his plan into action, but it was not an easy task. Miles faced the challenges of finding an inexpensive and willing publisher, students who were interested and funds to pay for the project.
"I didn't know if we could do it," he said. "We didn't want to take CIO appropriations. It was really difficult raising enough money. We advertised a lot by putting up fliers."
Eventually, the process began to pick up speed. After many fliers and e-mails, Miles had gathered a group of interested students.
"I tabled the Activities Fair earlier this year, and there was so much interest," he said. "I think around 300 people signed up. Of course, not all of them ended up on staff."
Today, the V staff consists of about 50 students, a number that includes three executive board members and numerous editing, managing and layout positions. "We didn't know what we were looking for in the staff," Miles said. "We are always looking for diversity and variety. People who stood out were those who were very enthusiastic and had a lot of ideas to add."
After gathering funds and a staff, the real work began. Miles and other members of the magazine staff needed to figure out exactly what kind of magazine they wanted and how to make it come about.
"I wanted something in color and glossy," Miles said.
Eventually, they decided on three main sections including fashion, culture and health & sexuality. In addition to these sections, the magazine includes feature articles. In this inaugural issue, the feature was titled, "New Kids on the Lawn."
Second-year College student Frank Michael Munoz described the feature as "a fun and interesting way to get to know our new Lawnies."
The members of V magazine also wanted to incorporate groups from the University in its features and sections.
"At first it was hard to get people or groups to take part in it because I was asking them to be included in something they had never seen," Miles said. "But I think we all had fun, and now they've seen that it turned out well."
The segment in the fashion section of the inaugural issue of V consisted of photos of University Guide Service members modeling designs to promote the Colonnade Ball. Miles said he wanted to have a feature on the Colonnade Ball because it is "a noteworthy cause" that does not always receive as much attention as it should. The magazine received input for its fashion section from the fashion design club.
"We sent e-mails to the fashion design club and got a great response," Miles said. "I think that an important part of the fashion section is that it's comprised of students."
Kenerson, however, said he does not see the point of student modeling.
"I don't really care if those are students in the pictures or not," he said. "I would rather read about something interesting."
It was not easy to predict how students would react to the magazine. Miles said he was not sure what was going to happen when he handed them out two Fridays ago.
"I didn't know how it would be perceived -- it was hard to tell," he said.
Generally, reactions have been mixed.
"I really like having something that is in color, with pictures and different kinds of stories to read about," Womack said. "It's interesting because it focuses on our life here at U.Va., with features that aren't just about the daily news."
Although he liked certain features, Munoz said he thought that the magazine could be improved.
"I would like to see fewer advertisements," he said. "It is way too hard to pick out the articles in the magazine. I think that if U.Va. students are looking for advice on how to 'look better, play harder and live happier,' that they are more likely to turn to the latest issue of 'GQ' or 'Vogue' than V."
Miles tried to anticipate other criticisms readers might have, in part by making the magazine a publication both sexes could enjoy.
"One concern that I had was that guys would see it as a 'Cosmo,' he said. "I tried to take into account all aspects of student life. There's something in there for everybody to enjoy reading."
In future issues, University students can look forward to a collection of firsthand accounts, advice and features on groups in the University community. The magazine is currently working to develop a piece on "the most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes of U.Va.," according to Miles.
Readers also can count on seeing some expansions in V's future, including an increased page count, Miles said. He also said that while working on the magazine, "every step was a challenge."
Despite the hard work, Miles said he was satisfied with the results.
"I'm relieved that the magazine made it out," he said. "It's really due to the dedication of the people working on it, and I think it's great. I'm so proud of it."
Now that the first issue is out, Miles still has more plans in the works.
"I'm hoping to do bigger and better things now that people have seen it and know what it's about. I'm hoping to become an established part of U.Va."
Womack said she thinks the magazine will do well in the future.
"I think that once more people see it, it will become really popular," she said. "I'm looking forward to reading the next issue."
To sum up what readers can expect from future issues of V, Miles said, "It's going to be informative and provocative, without going crazy. Well, maybe we will go crazy"
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 2 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 4 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
