How do today’s students use social media? What happens when tweets and yaks take a bad turn? And most important, how can today’s administrators use social media to build a positive online community?
These trending questions posed by higher education professionals across the country were front and center during the University of Mary Washington’s presentation on anonymous social media at the national NASPA conference this past March. In a session co-presented with colleagues from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon and titled “Yik Yak, Attacks and Focusing Back on Inclusion: The Many Facets of Social Media on College Campuses,” UMW staff members shared real-world experiences interlaced with social media research on how to strategically build community on social media during crisis situations.
The four-person presentation panel included Mary Washington representatives Dr. Juliette Landphair, Vice President for Student Affairs; Erika Spivey, Assistant Director of Marketing; and Colin Coleman, Assistant Director of Residence Life. Joining the group from Lewis & Clark College was Dr. Anna Gonzalez, Dean of Students.