Student to introduce new publication in March

Queer Resource Center communications coordinator Nathan Keep will be introducing a new publication focusing on equality and advocacy for underrepresented groups at Portland State.

Keep is heading up the publication, which will be called The Spectrum, with the help of three volunteers. Keep said he initially wanted to create a newsletter, but over time it grew into a bigger project.

“Currently, we have had nothing but the utmost support by fellow student organizations, departments and individuals wanting to contribute and support this project during its onset,” Keep said.

The Spectrum, which is expected to be released in March 2009 and will be published quarterly, will cover issues of sex and gender equality, discrimination and oppression. These are all issues that Keep feels will appeal to a large number of underrepresented students at PSU.

Keep noted that most student publications generally cover academics, university policies and sports, but do not tend to address the issues that will fill the pages of The Spectrum. He also said would like to bring a more personal sense to the publication.

“I have yet to see the issues of oppression thoroughly addressed in current publications,” said Teresa Nguyen, a volunteer and contributing writer for The Spectrum. “I definitely think there is a need to directly address the issues of oppression and discrimination.”

Keeps said wants to deconstruct the preconceptions that people often have about Portland, which is often regarded as more liberal minded toward the gay and lesbian community, and help people realize that despite the city’s reputation, discrimination is sometimes still a problem.

“It’s mostly gone under the radar, so to speak,” Keep said of the discrimination that occurs in Portland.

The QRC is currently financing The Spectrum while in its infancy. The QRC will also provide funding for part of next year, however, a goal has been set for the publication to stand on its own, and to be recognized as an independent student organization.

Keep said though the QRC is providing some support to sustain the publication, The Spectrum will not be associated with the QRC.

So far Keep said submissions to The Spectrum have been on a wide range of topics, and have covered many forms, from poetry to personal stories.

Keep said that he does intend to apply to the Student Publications Board “down the road,” but is not exactly sure when that will take place. It is Keep’s hope that The Spectrum will continue on and grow to be a stable publication, beyond his graduation in June.

“Whether or not this project will be sustained through the 2009-10 academic year is not yet known,” Keep said. “However, we are placing safeguards and working directly with student volunteers to implement next year’s leadership that will oversee the next phase of this publication’s growth.”

The Spectrum has its constitution drawn, job descriptions have been laid out and Keep has high hopes for the publication as it nears its launch.

“My role in the Queer Resource Center as communications coordinator has been to bridge this gap between our organization and the student body,” Keep said. “This is one method that I personally feel must be utilized to connect students together in learning from the diverse perspectives that Portland State fosters.”

Submissions are open to all, and may be submitted by contacting the QRC or sending a note to Keep’s e-mail at [email protected]. Submissions must be received no later than Feb. 2.