While we're on the topic of Berkeley publications, might as well bring up the long-term prospects of one nearer and dearer to my heart: the Berkeley Political Review.

I could complain about the density of Egos involved in that magazine, or the lack of discipline among Editors and Writers. I also disagree with the vision for it and the direction it's going in. But those are either minor complaints or derivatives of my own ego; of course I think I know better how to run it, I'm THE MIGHTY KEVIN DEENIHAN!

I'm reasonably sure the magazine is going to struggle for another, simpler reason: lack of money. There is not enough money out there to sustain four print runs a year at about $1000 apiece.

Ultimately, a magazine at Berkeley has two sources of revenue: Grants and Ads. BPR is currently publishing thanks to the first one, as Matteen wrangled a controversial $2000+_grant from the ASUC. Thanks partly to that grant, the ASUC has subsequently tightened its rules for funding publications, which typically restrict grants to well under $500 for first year groups. BPR also got a nominal $200 from the Poli Sci department. Ironically and stupidly, the University refuses to fund BPR because the ASUC has already done so. Even assuming Matteen can pull $1500-2000 from various University groups every year, that's still well short of needed revenue.

That leaves ad revenue. Pavneet Singh, my old Stanfurd roomie, is our capable Business manager. Yet I'm not sure even a remarkably competent guy like Pav can sell enough ads to survive. The Squelch, with a much larger print run and widespread appeal, still struggles to get ad revenue. And Squelch is a well-established institution with good business ties. BPR is a first year publication with relatively esoteric appeal and a much smaller print run. Not only that, but one out of the two issues so far have been delayed. That doesn't build trust.

BPR could be on a sounder financial footing if it didn't use the high-quality paper stock/color printing that it does. But Matteen's dream is to compete and vanquish the Harvard Political Review, which means appearances count. Printing on the typical grey trash Berkeley publications are forced to use looks bad.

Best of luck, BPR, but Berkeley is an unfriendly place to support a new publication no matter what the quality.



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