Talking Stick - November/December 2014 - 12

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Another App tests Boundaries on Campus
Yik Yak is the latest in a string of social media
platforms that allow users to post their thoughts and
comments anonymously. The popular app, which
aggregates anonymous messages posted within a
hyper-local geographic range, gives users the ability
to engage only with comments and posts near their
physical location. Yik Yak's administrators have
proactively blocked their own app from use at high
schools and middle schools after complaints; however,
despite growing concerns, college and university
campuses remain a popular forum for its use. This
isn't surprising given that the app was developed by
two 2013 graduates of Furman University in Greenville,
South Carolina, who first introduced it to their own
campus. Though the app purports to help users meet
others or share events, its use on college and university
campuses is largely described as negative. Campuses
are reporting gossip, cyberbullying, and - in a recent
incident at Indiana State University in Terre Haute - a
threat of violence.
"The ability of a campus to respond to Yik Yak is
difficult," says Bruce Skinner, assistant vice president
for student success and auxiliary services at Southeast
Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. "As a
campus, we may have people who are frustrated and
upset about things posted about them, but we are
limited in what can be done to control the postings."
Users are able to report comments within the app
as inappropriate, but this puts the onus on students
to monitor the app themselves. Flagged comments
are then reviewed by the app's administrators, who
are receptive to not only removing flagged posts, but
also sharing with college and university staff or law

enforcement agencies the names of individuals behind
accounts posting content determined to be threatening
or dangerous. In the incident at Indiana State, Yik Yak
provided local police with the identity of the user who
posted the threat, resulting in an arrest only days later.
Justin Schuch, coordinator of residential leadership
and engagement at Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, sees some potential to use the app for
educational purposes. "I utilize it to share resources on
campus and respond to posts. When a student posts
about skipping class, I reply with information on how
much skipping class costs. When students post about
having unprotected sex, I reply with information about
our health services and wellness services."
At Indiana University in Bloomington, John
Summerlot has taken a similar approach. Formerly
a residence manager in IU's residential programs
and services area, Summerlot is now an emergency
management coordinator for the campus. He regularly
logs in to Yik Yak to post links to university websites,
from forms to report crime or sexual misconduct to
connecting with campus crisis resources. "I figured
students would be positive about what I'm doing, but
when I'm seeing 20 or more up votes for helpful links
all the time, it must be something more. I see students
using the app to reach out with problems, concerns,
and frustrations. Why not address them there in that
space? They then have a starting point in getting help,
whether it is a roommate conflict or anger issues."
Summerlot remembers when Facebook was new to
campuses, and administrators were hesitant to engage
with students on it. "When professionals and faculty
started using the medium, it changed the tone quickly."
-Stacy Oliver Sikorski

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Talking Stick - November/December 2014

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