This article has been adapted from Head Arts Editor Natalie Manley’s previous versions, published in 2021 and 2022.
Student publications at the University of Chicago are about as old as the University itself. What began with the creation of The Chicago Maroon in 1892 (the University was founded in 1890) has since ballooned into a long list of both archived and active publications on subjects ranging from music to politics to humor. Though not all great publications last—some honorable mentions from over the years include Whoopsilon (1921), a Delta Upsilon fraternity newsletter; Wild Onions (1974–75), a poetry magazine; and a collection of essays titled Man-Hater (1897)—new publications are established every year and are eager for new writers and members. All history aside, whether you are looking for a creative outlet, an opportunity to write academically, or anything in between, here is a categorized list of the active student publications UChicago has to offer this fall.
Newspaper/Journalism Publications
The Chicago Maroon (what you’re reading right now!) is UChicago’s independent student-run newspaper and oldest publication. With articles published online daily and in print every other week, The Maroon is the University’s one-stop shop for on-campus and South Side news, student op-eds, long-form feature pieces, arts reviews, and sports updates. Students interested in writing for The Maroon can contribute to any one (or more!) of the newspaper’s five written sections: News, Viewpoints (opinion pieces), Sports, Arts (the best section, in our not-so-humble opinion), and Grey City (long-form). Not so keen on writing? The Maroon also has its own production, business, copyediting, photo, video, podcast, and crossword teams.
Creative Writing Publications
Perhaps you’re less interested in breaking news and more interested in breaking boundaries and writing creatively. Fortunately, UChicago has several publications that feature students’ creative essays, stories, poetry, and more. Founded in 2007, Sliced Bread Magazine features “a slice of the stuff of life, the crumbs of our meandering existence”—in other words, visual art, photography, poetry, short fiction, and “all other forms of two-dimensional art.” Issues are published once per quarter, while individual pieces are released regularly online. Any student at the University of Chicago is welcome to submit work with the option of remaining anonymous.
Alternatively, UChicago’s Euphony Journal is a semiannual student-run literary journal that features the poetry and prose of University students and accomplished outside writers alike. Formal issues are released in the winter and spring, while online content is published all year round. Students are welcome to attend and contribute to Euphony’s weekly content meetings.
Last but not least, Memoryhouse is a student-run literary magazine that features first-person narratives in all forms from University undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff. The only requirement for submissions is that they are written in first-person voice and “present a concrete narrative”; all literary genres, as well as art and photography, are welcome. Memoryhouse releases two to three issues per academic year in addition to posting regular content on its website.
Arts Publications
If the Maroon Arts section piqued your interest, you might want to write or edit for the Arts section; it’s a great way to get free concert or theater tickets! Just email us at arts@chicagomaroon.com to get involved.
You might also want to check out UChicago’s more niche art publications. Interested in fashion? Recognized in 2013 by Teen Vogue as one of the best college fashion magazines in the country, Moda Magazine is a student-run, student-modeled, student-photographed, and student-written publication within the greater Registered Student Organization (RSO) Moda, which also boasts an online blog and a student-designed and student-modeled fashion show. Since its recent revamp, Moda Magazine has published one 60–70 page issue each quarter featuring articles and images that explore the world of fashion.
More into music than fashion? Launched in 2021, Firebird Magazine is an online publication that features all things music. From interviews to must-listen lists to album reviews, Firebird is for anyone with a fiery passion for music and an eagerness to write (or podcast) about it.
Finally, if you somehow miraculously don’t wear clothes or listen to music, you must eat in order to survive; therefore, you might be interested in Bite. Bite is a quarterly-print culinary magazine and online blog that features recipes, cooking tips, food photography, local and on-campus restaurant reviews, student spotlights, and more!
Publications Uplifting Marginalized Voices
Although UChicago’s student publications are open to all students regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, traditionally marginalized students have been historically underrepresented. Exploring Race and Blacklight Magazine are two publications that aim to counter this underrepresentation by providing a media platform for UChicago students who have felt their voices have been overlooked by other publications or who wish to write explicitly about race or racial issues.
Exploring Race is an online publication that features personal accounts written by students of color about their experiences as members of marginalized groups on campus. While Exploring Race focuses more on firsthand stories and factual accounts, Blacklight Magazine, a literary and arts publication associated with the University’s Organization of Black Students (OBS), spotlights the work of underrepresented student writers and artists as well as other minority voices in the broader Chicago area.
This past year, The Chicago Maroon also published its inaugural Black History Month issue on February 13, in conjunction with Blacklight Magazine, OBS, the African and Caribbean Students Association (ACSA), and the Georgiana Rose Organization (GRO).
Politics and Policy Publications
If you are interested in focusing on politics or policy, The Gate, The Chicago Journal of Foreign Policy, or the Paul Douglas Institute may be more your style.
Like The Maroon, The Gate is an undergraduate student-run news publication, albeit a University-affiliated one and one that specifically covers politics and policy on the local, national, and international level. In order to encourage individuals from all corners of the political spectrum to broaden their political knowledge and debate their opinions in an informed manner, The Gate publishes nonpartisan news articles as well as student-written opinion pieces. In addition, The Gate also runs the Cook County Jail Program, in which UChicago students run journalism and creative writing workshops for local detainees.
Founded in 2012, The Chicago Journal of Foreign Policy aims to provide a forum for students to explore various perspectives and strategies surrounding U.S. external affairs by publishing articles that discuss “historical, economic, political, and cultural developments” in foreign nations. The Journal is printed biannually, but content is uploaded regularly online.
Lastly, though less of a formal publication, the Paul Douglas Institute (PDI) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit student-run think tank that, in addition to offering research services for outside organizations, publishes student-written policy reports. In order to write for the PDI, you must apply to be a researcher in the spring or fall.
Other (Uncategorizable) Publications
Last, but certainly not least, in true UChicago “quirky” fashion, there are a few publications too unique to categorize:
The Intercollegiate Finance Journal is for those who find economics and finance to be more up their alley. Originally launched at Brown University in 2013, The Intercollegiate Finance Journal is now a multi-college publication run by students from Brown University; the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Chicago; and the University of Pennsylvania. The publication features “fun” (for econ people, at least) articles meant to educate the undergraduate community in various topics related to economics, business, politics, and finance.
A new student publication, Expositions, was launched just last year by University of Chicago students studying urban journalism with Evan Carver, assistant instructional professor on the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU). The magazine, which aims to highlight environmental and urban issues in a creative way, accepts a wide variety of prose and visual art styles that fall under the genre of “creative nonfiction” and combine themes of “environment” and “city.”
If you’re interested in Kant, Socrates, or Plato, or just fancy yourself philosophically inclined, check out the University of Chicago Philosophy Review (UCPR), which publishes biannual collections of philosophically driven essays from undergraduates around the world. In addition to student work, UCPR also publishes interviews and lectures that feature famous professors and philosophical thinkers.
Looking for something even more “classic” than the work of ancient philosophers (if that’s even possible)? Look no further than Animus, an undergraduate journal that publishes exceptional written work in the field of classics. In addition to academic papers, Animus also regularly shares translations, creative works, and visual art in its journal and on its online blog. The publication hopes to help “create a dialogue between traditional and reception-based approaches to scholarship on ancient cultures and the Classical world.”
Are philosophy and classics too abstract for you? The Chicago Journal of Sociology (CJS) highlights “excellent undergraduate work in sociology” while “giving student editors experience turning A.B. theses into published academic articles.” CJS is housed in the oldest sociology department in the country (UChicago’s) but is run “by and for sociology students.”
For those with a sense of humor (or rather, those who think they have a sense of humor), UChicago’s only intentionally humorous publication, The Chicago Shady Dealer, is for you. The Dealer puts out three issues per quarter (nine each year) filled to the brim with satire and social commentary. Sometimes, The Dealer will also release special projects, perform stunts, and publish online-only content.
CANA Journal is an interdenominational, student-run journal on campus that publishes works of student Christian thought and journalism.
Finally, The Triple Helix, UChicago’s science publication group, showcases student-written articles and research reports on interdisciplinary topics in the natural, physical, and social sciences. The Triple Helix publishes two print journals—the Science in Society Review and Scientia—biannually, in addition to its quarterly online blog, The Spectrum.
Interested in one or more of these publications? Be sure to visit their websites or find them on Blueprint to learn more about how you can get involved!
