Beyond the newspaper journalism of The Gavel, The Heights, and The Torch, Boston College offers a variety of student-run publications for undergraduates to share their interests in poetry, cuisine, law, and everything in between. Not only do these publications offer practical experience in media production and working on deadlines, but they also provide significant creative avenues for students to express themselves and share their passions with the BC community. Here, The Gavel offers a synopsis of some of the most active student-run publications on campus.
Stylus
Founded in 1882, Stylus is BC’s oldest club and longest-running student publication. Currently, Stylus publishes a magazine each semester, featuring poetry, prose, and visual art submitted by any BC undergraduate students interested in sharing their work. The most recent issue of Stylus—its 142nd volume, to be precise—includes over 120 pages of original pieces of verse, prose, photography, drawings, and more. Once the magazine is completed, its release is typically accompanied by a launch party where the BC community can gather to celebrate the culmination of the hard work put into its creation. In anticipation of the spring 2025 issue being published, all BC undergraduate students are encouraged to submit their work to be featured in this legendary publication. The deadline for spring 2025 submissions is March 21.
Beyond the undergraduate population at BC, Stylus is prolonging its sense of community with its new “Stylumni Newsletter” in which alumni can submit their work to be compiled and shared with all interested in receiving this newsletter.
The Laughing Medusa
The Laughing Medusa is a literary magazine highlighting the creativity of female-identifying and nonbinary students at BC. Its title references Hélène Cixous: “You only have to look at the Medusa straight on to see her. And she’s not deadly. She’s beautiful and she’s laughing.” Publishing two collections each year, The Laughing Medusa creates a zine, or a small literary journal, in the fall and a larger magazine each spring. Every issue has a unique title with an adjective modifying “Medusa.” For example, last semester’s zine was named “The Wandering Medusa,” encapsulating the uncertainty and curiosity of the collegiate coming-of-age experience. To celebrate their publications, The Laughing Medusa hosts launch parties and open mic nights, even regularly collaborating with Stylus.
Caroline Cannon, MCAS ‘25, who has submitted photography to The Laughing Medusa for the past 4 years, says, “I think it’s great that [The Laughing Medusa] offers space for women at BC to share their art and for their voices to be uplifted.” To Cannon’s point, The Laughing Medusa is integral to the BC community’s art scene because it emphasizes the beauty and power of creating a space for artists who may be undervalued elsewhere.
If you identify as a woman or nonbinary individual and are interested in sharing your literary fiction, poetry, or art, submit it to bclaughingmedusa@gmail.com by March 24.
Gusto
It may be lesser known that BC’s student publications not only cater to artists and writers—one even gives a platform for food critics and amateur chefs to share their recipes and restaurant reviews. Referencing the amicable Spanish phrase, “mucho gusto,” Gusto is BC’s only food journal and seeks to create a community of food lovers. Its newest publications include a comforting cornbread recipe, a nostalgic Midwestern muddy buddies recipe, and a detailed review of a matcha pop-up in Brookline’s Maruichi Select restaurant.
Whether you are hoping to check out a new local restaurant or cook something different for dinner, the Gusto website has a plethora of student-provided resources. Gusto additionally publishes physical print issues each year, so that will be something to look out for this spring. If you have a recipe or review you would like to submit to BC’s only food journal, you may email Gusto at bcgustomag@gmail.com.
Sub Turri
Meaning “Under the Tower” in Latin, Sub Turri was founded in 1913 as BC’s official undergraduate yearbook. Each year, Sub Turri imprints nostalgia with senior portraits and highlights of major BC events from Stokes Set to the Beanpot.
Sub Turri’s Academics section editor, Ella Champagne, MCAS ‘27, says about the yearbook’s significance within the BC community, “I believe Sub Turri is unique because it gives BC students a meaningful way to reflect on their time here. This is something that will not only allow us to look back at the end of each year, but in the future—say, 10 years from now—it will also serve as a way to remember the moments and memories that made BC such an amazing experience.”
While Sub Turri is no longer accepting student photo submissions, Champagne says, “BC students can be featured in the yearbook by staying engaged with our campus community, signing up for senior portraits, and sending their own photos to the Sub Turri email at subturri@bc.edu if interested next year.” The 2024-2025 yearbooks will be distributed on campus during Senior Week and can be purchased through this link.
Research/Subject Journals
BC additionally offers several research and departmental journals that undergraduate and graduate students can contribute to. Even if you do not wish to get involved in writing for these journals, they may offer beneficial resources toward your individual studies.
Here is a list of several running academic journals at BC if you wish to read further:
The Oracle: The Undergraduate History Research Journal of Boston College
Dianoia: The Undergraduate Philosophy Journal of Boston College
Elements: The Undergraduate Research Journal
Ethos – Student Bioethics Research Journal
Medical Humanities Journal
Colloquium: The Political Science Journal of Boston College
Bellarmine Law Society Review
Kaleidoscope International Journal
Overall, there are many opportunities at BC to get involved in student publications, no matter where your interests may lie or what your level of experience in writing or artwork is. Because these publications seek to create space for all students’ voices to be expressed, everyone is encouraged to submit their work, even if they do not expect to get published or accepted.
Aspen Hunter
Subaru-driving, matcha-drinking, concert-going Floridian who seems like she’d be from Oregon.
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