The Statesman, the newest conservative student publication, has just opened for business at the University of Pennsylvania.

In April, a handful of freshmen decided that they were unhappy with the state of political discourse on campus.

Though Penn is home to various political groups, such as College Republicans and Penn Democrats, and publications, such as the Penn Political Review, they felt their perspectives were not being heard.

They’re conservatives — who can seem elusive on a campus where nearly 80 percent voted for Democrat Barack Obama over Republican Mitt Romney in 2012 — and wanted a new forum to express their opinions.

So the group, including College sophomore Aidan McConnell, Engineering sophomore Dillon Weber and College and Wharton sophomore Nick Zarra, started The Statesman, which they’ve called “the only conservative or right-leaning publication at the University of Pennsylvania.”

“We’re really trying to provide a platform for the variability of conservative viewpoints to come out of the woodwork,” said McConnell, who is editor of the Daily Pennsylvanian’s The Red and the Blue blog.

Over the summer, the group met over Skype to construct a small pamphlet that they would distribute at the start of the year. They also reached out to conservative publications at peer schools, including the Princeton Tory and Harvard Salient. They also made contact with conservative think tanks, some of which offered support ranging from logistical support to funding. Several members are travelling to Princeton to discuss their progress with the Tory later this month.

The magazine’s first issue, which was released last week, touches on national issues such as the debt ceiling and U.S.-Russia relations, but also funding for the Philadelphia School District, a recent hot-button issue in local politics.

….The group plans to finance its work strictly from alumni, outside organizations and subscriptions, without asking for funding from the Student Activities Council if the moratorium is lifted. They also hope to expand their reach on campus, starting with an event with former mayoral and gubernatorial candidate Sam Katz next month for which they will partner with the Government and Politics Association and the Wharton Politics and Business Association.

“We’re looking to work with people who are willing to work with us,” Weber said. “And that doesn’t involve compromising ideas or principles.