2008 Woodie Awards
Facebook provides outlet for nationwide student reaction
Laura Dattaro & Maria Micchelli
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: News
Prior to April 16, Facebook was primarily used for sharing pictures and updating relationship statuses. Since then, however, it has served a more significant purpose.
Students realized social networking Web sites can be used for more than just gossip and picture posting - students like sophomore Jim Lewis, who used the site to rally support for members of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University community.
In the day following the shootings, Lewis made approximately 50 posters decorated with sayings such as "UD Supports Virginia Tech." He then hung them in the Ray Street residence halls where he lives and distributed to them to hall directors in other residence halls across campus.
The goal was to gather signatures from university students before sending the posters to the Tech campus. Lewis, who has friends at Tech, wanted to give other university students the opportunity to show comfort and encouragement in a personal way.
"I have a few friends who go there, so I was worried about them and called immediately," Lewis said. "They were physically all right but they didn't sound OK. You always want to help when something goes wrong. Even if any small thing goes wrong in your life, just knowing someone is there makes it better."
Lewis is just one example of how students at universities across the country have used Facebook to communicate their reaction to the tragedy.
A search for "Virginia Tech" on Facebook reveals more than 500 groups and approximately 354 events, ranging from support groups by individual schools to vigils and fundraisers. Many of the groups have more than 1,000 members.
A Facebook spokeswoman who wished to remain anonymous stated in an e-mail message that its users have employed every tool the Web site has to offer, from writing wall posts to updating profile statuses.
"Facebook has created technologies that allow users to connect in an efficient way," she said. "This tragic event at Virginia Tech is certainly the most significant in Facebook's three years of existence and has affected its 20-plus million users in an unprecedented way."
Students realized social networking Web sites can be used for more than just gossip and picture posting - students like sophomore Jim Lewis, who used the site to rally support for members of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University community.
In the day following the shootings, Lewis made approximately 50 posters decorated with sayings such as "UD Supports Virginia Tech." He then hung them in the Ray Street residence halls where he lives and distributed to them to hall directors in other residence halls across campus.
The goal was to gather signatures from university students before sending the posters to the Tech campus. Lewis, who has friends at Tech, wanted to give other university students the opportunity to show comfort and encouragement in a personal way.
"I have a few friends who go there, so I was worried about them and called immediately," Lewis said. "They were physically all right but they didn't sound OK. You always want to help when something goes wrong. Even if any small thing goes wrong in your life, just knowing someone is there makes it better."
Lewis is just one example of how students at universities across the country have used Facebook to communicate their reaction to the tragedy.
A search for "Virginia Tech" on Facebook reveals more than 500 groups and approximately 354 events, ranging from support groups by individual schools to vigils and fundraisers. Many of the groups have more than 1,000 members.
A Facebook spokeswoman who wished to remain anonymous stated in an e-mail message that its users have employed every tool the Web site has to offer, from writing wall posts to updating profile statuses.
"Facebook has created technologies that allow users to connect in an efficient way," she said. "This tragic event at Virginia Tech is certainly the most significant in Facebook's three years of existence and has affected its 20-plus million users in an unprecedented way."
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