Student Association should not use social media as sole platform of communication for announcements
Photo/Mark Nash
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The Student Association should not use social media as its main channel of communication for announcements to the Syracuse University student body.
Recently, the organization announced SA President Allie Curtis’ cabinet nominations through the social media platform Instagram.
Though the organization has been linking the Instagram announcements to Facebook and Twitter, spreading news this way does not guarantee each student will be informed about the important SA leadership changes.
As of 9 p.m., the SA Instagram account only had 51 followers. This means the use of social media is prohibiting a vast majority of SU students from receiving direct information, news and updates about SA.
Instead of only using social media tools, SA should have taken advantage of its capability to reach all undergraduate students through a campus-wide email. In using this method, the entire student body could be informed of the developments within the organization. Utilizing this platform is entirely inclusive of SA’s constituency.
The email approach could even be used to inform students that the SA Instagram account is where they can find the latest information concerning SA. This is an effective way to make SU students aware of SA’s social media developments.
Curtis said the organization will be using Instagram to expose and highlight SA events, which is an appropriate use of social media for SA and an action the organization should pursue. The issue is SA’s choice to spread important news in this way without using additional platforms that could reach more students.
Instagram is a successful medium that allows students to identify the leaders in Curtis’ cabinet. But the picture and caption should not be the only introduction of these leaders shared with SU students.
Social media should be a supplement to a main line of communication. It should be a tool to enhance the organization’s communication with its constituency. But SA should not rely on social media as the only forum for important announcements.