To many students, spending an evening dissecting and analyzing poetry and prose sounds like a horrific homework assignment.

But for the members of Problem Child, Penn State's alternative literary magazine, this process is anything but dreadful. In fact, it's a good time.

This quirky and energetic group met last Wednesday night to discuss and analyze its latest group of submissions, choosing which poems the group wants to appear in the magazine by secret ballot. Several poems were read, all of which generated a significant amount of discussion.

"I feel that they're playing on our audience," Sara Paull (senior-English) said, describing one humorous poem about a sexually aggressive woman.

"There's an underlying Buddhist message to this," Jamie Rounds (sophomore-liberal arts) added. "I think it's kind of a depressing poem."

Jeremy Guillard (sophomore-liberal arts) had a different take.

"I think it's an optimistic poem," he said. "She knows what's going on."

This type of discussion is a frequent occurrence in the Grandfather Clock Lounge on the first floor of Atherton Hall, where the staff meets every Wednesday. Meetings start at 9:30 p.m.

"It's fun to just enjoy the comments that people make," said Jess Rosswog (sophomore-communications), who started attending the meetings to work more with literature.

"I'm a writer and I don't get much of an opportunity to experience educated views on literature," she said.

This is an important year for the magazine, which only recently became recognized as an official club, said the editor, Annalise Kordell.

"A couple editors before me really worked hard to make sure the magazine was an official organization," Kordell said.

Because it is an official club, Problem Child now receives their funding from the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC).

The magazine, which was founded 15 years ago, was originally sponsored by the Schreyer Honors College, which stopped funding the magazine this year.

"The big thing now is pushing the magazine to make it an alternative magazine for the entire university," Kordell said.

She hopes to increase the magazine's popularity among non-honors students. "We really want to appeal to everyone," she said.

The magazine encourages all artists to submit their poetry, prose, or black and white artwork for consideration.

Submission boxes are located in the lobby of Atherton Hall and at the HUB information desk. Students can also submit their work digitally at www.clubs.psu.edu/problemchild.