"All bulletin boards do is waste paper," said junior journalism major Matthew Gorry. " I hate to say it but unless there was a really hot girl, food or football on a piece of paper tacked on the wall I would probably not even notice that bulletin boards still existed." This is the typical response received when asking college students about their views on bulletin boards around campus.
Its easy to dismiss the glass cases that hang in the dorm hallways or the cork boards that line the second floor of Vaughn, especially in this era where technology is so easily accessible. "Just the other day I got a text from some Alison girl informing me that there was an intervarsity Christian fellowship meeting," said education major John Bernardo. "How smart is she? If she would have hung up a flyer I would have never noticed it but she's smart enough to know that everyone checks their phone."
It may seem old fashioned but teachers, organizations, resident assistants and our fellow peers still depend on bulletin boards to get their information across and advertise. Walk into any main building here on campus and you will find information about upcoming events going on in PEACE club, information about a luncheon for black history month or a study abroad fair taking place at the end of the week.
"Bulletin Boards have truly stood the test of time," said RA Joe Graves. "Looking after so many students and trying to get in contact with them or trying to inform them about something is so much simpler when I can print out a flyer and put it right where everyone can see it." The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE), located on the second floor of Vaughn Rm. 215, must approve and stamp any flyer that you wish to display. The flyer is valid for up to two weeks with the option of renewing it. "Believe it or not, not everyone has a facebook account. I can't just create a group and expect all my residents to get my information," said Graves.
On the other hand, with millions of facebook users around the world, facebook does seem to be a trend that is surpassing the times of the bulletin board. "It's so easy to get online and write someone a message or to join a group on facebook," said Bernardo. “Look, I just got an invite to go to the Bungalow tonight. Free sangria, I’m there.”
Like many other social networks, there is very little restriction on what you can post on your facebook account. It’s simple and at you’re finger tips. Type a few words, click share and the general public will be aware within seconds. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home. With flyers that you post around the school, you have to be more professional and make the effort to get it approved. Once it’s approved you have to plan strategically which bulletin boards you will hit so that the most people see it. It’s a more tedious process than getting online.
With the beginning of a new era and a boom in technological advances, time can only tell if bulletin boards will become a thing of the past or stick around forever.
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