Mag Zeroes in on Social Life

Harvard's plethora of publications gained a new member yesterday--but its contents stray from the common coverage of politics, news, arts or sports.

Instead, the Harvard Network, which released its first issue yesterday, focuses on the social life at Harvard.

"We want to foster more of a sense of community and comprehension within the college as a whole--where everyone knows who's doing what," said Natalie E. Wilf '96, the publication's founder.

The introductory issue featured an 18-person rooming group in Quincy House that throws many parties and "sure knows how to have a good time."

Wilf said "The Quincy 18-man," as the group is known, "best suits our vision of the Harvard Network."

Wilf said about 10 or 20 people worked on the first 8-page issue.

She said contributors to the magazine were not given bylines.

"No one takes credit for what we publish," she said.

Improving Social Life

Wilf said she hopes to recruit more people in the spring, when she may begin to institute a more formal working structure.

"We're open to any ideas, and we want everyone's input right now," she said.

"We feel that by covering interesting people doing interesting things we will improve Harvard's social life," she added.

Wilf, who estimated the readership to be 1,250, said she plans to publish three more issues this year. They will be funded mostly by a $750 grant from the Undergraduate Council, she said.

The Harvard Network is printed by The Crimson.