Ben Wexler-Waite ‘14, an aspiring government major and philosophy minor, has started a non-partisan, campus-wide political opinions magazine, Outside Colby, to raise consciousness and spark discussion surrounding both domestic and international political issues. 

“By creating Outside Colby magazine, I was trying to raise the level of political awareness on campus and get students to engage in a well-informed correspondence with one another,” Wexler-Waite said. 

A self-proclaimed liberal, Wexler-Waite recognizes the lack of representation for the conservative opinion on the Hill. “Outside Colby is a non-partisan publication,” Wexler-Waite emphasized. “Regardless of the issue at hand, I will make sure there are opinions from all across the board. The point is to get informed, and part of that is knowing every facet [of an issue], even if you don’t find yourself agreeing.” Yana Mayayeva ’14, an editor for the publication, said, “I think that Outside Colby is going to provide a much needed forum for the student body, as well as functioning as an added component of diversity. Political diversity is just as relevant and needed as ethnic, religious and geographic diversity.”

Outside Colby plans to make its debut on the Hill on March 14, but putting the publication together has not been an easy journey for Wexler-Waite. “I started out with an idea, but actualizing it was a lot tougher than I had ever imagined,” he said. 

About a month ago, Wexler-Waite got his proposal for Outside Colby approved for funding by the Goldfarb Center. “I am also looking to [the Student Government Association] and Campus Life for funding,” he said. “Hopefully I will rally support once the first edition of the magazine comes out.” 

Outside Colby is an open magazine, meaning that although there is a formal writing staff of about 40 students, Wexler invites anyone who wishes to express an opinion concerning events within the U.S or around the world to send him an email. “Outside Colby is all about campus correspondence, so everyone is more than welcome to speak their piece. I will make sure that [counter articles are] written in order to provide readers with a balanced perspective,” Wexler–Waite said. 

Although Outside Colby is just starting out, Wexler and his editorial staff of 10 students have high hopes for the magazine. “I am hoping to publish an edition every three weeks for the first couple months and then perhaps evolve into a biweekly publication,” he said. “If things really take off, I am hoping to expand into a website, this way we can post up more opinions with more frequency and truly endorse the spirit of correspondence I am trying to spark on campus.”