A new independent, student-run paper will be reaching the steps of sororities and fraternities across the MU campus this fall.
Written for Greek Life students, by Greek Life students, The Odyssey is a 15-page, weekly publication present in more than 45 schools across the nation.
“It started a couple years ago, and they have been expanding every year,” publisher Greg Vodicka said. “They wanted to expand to Mizzou and needed someone to help pioneer it. So, they approached me.”
Centered on the Greek Life community, The Odyssey features article topics including Greek Life, campus events, sports, entertainment, politics, business, advice and humor. Staff writers are not required to focus solely on hard-hitting news, but on all events relevant to the Greek community.
“It’s just a lot of stuff that we think people will read about,” co-editor Kylie Hennagin said. “It differs for every issue. Sometimes we have a study abroad connection, sometimes a fashion section. It’s pretty much like a normal newspaper, but it’s more tailored toward what Greek students will care about.”
Run by Vodicka and five sales executives during the summer, The Odyssey staff currently consists of around 20 members and is expected to reach 75 by October. There are few requirements for those interested in a non-paying job in sales, marketing, writing or photography at The Odyssey. A major in journalism is not necessary. Membership to the Greek Life community and an online application are the sole prerequisites.
“We don’t require any experience,” Vidocka said. “Everyone at MU should know how to put pen to paper. We are all college students at a pretty good university. Some people might not be the greatest writers, but they should come to meetings and talk about the stories they want to read.”
The Odyssey’s partnership with USA Today opens up additional writing opportunities by allowing articles to be published on the website of a prominent paper.
“Everything that gets written that doesn’t necessarily get published in the paper itself goes online,” Hennagin said. “What happens is corporate and USA Today pick a story they like and it gets published, which is nice. It’s a good way to get your name out in more ways than just one.”
Writers, both experienced and inexperienced, are guaranteed to be published, either on The Odyssey’s website or in print, each week. The sole focus is not ability but maintaining a variety of content pertinent to each of the houses in the community.
“We are trying to keep it diverse,” assistant publisher Nancy O’Connell said. “If there are a bunch of people in one sorority trying to write, we might not accept more from there.”
As the Aug. 25 date of the first issue nears, the overarching goal remains clear: to unify the Greek community.
“In the beginning we were a community,” Vodicka said. “It was a family of different houses. This is what we are trying to get back to. We are creating a conversation. We have the potential to really unify Greeks. It is our job to unify.”
