The Kumquat should seize opportunity to improve SU

Since The Kumquat launched more than a year ago, it has quickly gained the Syracuse University community’s attention by highlighting the school’s stereotypes in a satirical way.

The student-run organization has created buzz, most recently with a video about Bid Day that received more than 100,000 views online. But now, it is time for the organization to take advantage of an opportunity to really tackle some of campus’ pressing issues by using satire to make a difference.

The Kumquat has built a legitimate viewer base by commenting on the most obvious SU stereotypes in its videos. These stereotypes include sorority girls, the Student Association and students enrolled in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The Kumquat’s success in entertaining viewers and generating conversation about campus stereotypes has provided a refreshing contrast to SU’s hard news outlets. Group members should now refocus their efforts toward bettering the community, in addition to entertaining it.

Using humor has proved successful in creating campuswide discussion of less significant issues at SU, as well as educating individuals who do not follow other campus news sources. Accenting the serious problems facing SU with humor could be a beneficial way to make more of campus aware of the problems.

The Kumquat could gain more of the campus’ attention if it pursues this type of content while also branching out to address a variety of topics beyond the group’s focus on Newhouse.

If members of the organization choose to provide humor about more widespread campus issues, a sense of self-awareness must continue to be followed. There is a fine line between being humorous and being offensive. But if a balance is struck, The Kumquat could do more for SU than just make students laugh.