The Council on Student Organizations recently denied official recognition to the new student magazine "Snapshots of Color" based on the magazine's policy of only allowing membership to students of color.
Devoted mainly to issues of color and to publishing works by students of color, the magazine stated that anyone can submit a piece to be published. But, when it applied for COSO recognition in the spring, Snapshots said only students of color can be official members.
But Snapshots' co-editor in chief Jennifer Daniel '97 said her definition for people "of color" was fairly loose.
"Basically, if you say you're a person of color, then you are a person of color," she said.
Director of Student Activities Tim Moore sent a letter to the organization about three weeks ago explaining COSO's decision, Daniel said.
"Our understanding when it was presented to COSO was that the magazine would only allow for students of color to be members of the publication," Moore said. "And that is something that is not supported by COSO."
"COSO will only recognize organizations that are open to everyone on campus in terms of membership," he added.
COSO, which oversees about 70 student organizations, gives official College recognition to new student groups. It provides groups with funding and gives assistance to groups through the Student Activities Office.
All student organizations except for those sponsored by the Athletic Department, the Dartmouth Outing Club, the Tucker Foundation, the College Health Service, the Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts and the Office of the Dean of the College and Greek organizations fall under COSO's jurisdiction.
COSO's action will not prevent Snapshots from going ahead with the planned date of publication for its first issue, which is planned for the middle of Fall term. But Daniel said the publication can not receive College funding.
"There are a lot of options we're pursuing right now [for funding,]" Daniel said. "I'm still in the process of speaking to some people."
Daniel said the organization might reapply for COSO recognition in the winter, the next term that all of Snapshots' editors will be on campus.
Maria Simental '97, one of Snapshots' founders, said College recognition is just around the corner.
"I don't think it's going to stay unrecognized," Simental said. "Come fall or winter, when we apply again I think we will definitely get recognized."
Daniel said the magazine will remain dedicated to its original goal of disseminating works by people of color.
"Part of why we're doing the magazine is we feel there is a literary void for people of color at this school," Daniel said.
She emphasized that anyone can submit a contribution to the publication.
"Anyone on Dartmouth campus could blitz us something, but it's up to the editors to decide if it's pertinent," she added. "You have to keep in mind it's a magazine about people of color."
