In the era of Facebook and Text Messaging One Relic of the Past Still Endures –The Campus Bulletin Board.

In the era of Facebook and Text Messaging One Relic of the Past Still Endures –The Campus Bulletin Board.

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As I walked through the University of Tampa’s North Walker Hall, I notice a bulletin board filled with colorful 8x11 sheets of paper that announced various messages from "come in for tutoring,” to “sign up for community service projects.”

I suddenly began to think, "Wow!" I never would have given a second look at the bulletin board for helpful campus information.

"I've notice that there are bulletin boards placed throughout campus and its one way to inform students of the many on campus activities and services that are available. I think that the colorful flyers are the most attractive", said Ishan Patel a junior nursing student.

Unfortunately in the new era of mobile phones and social networking sites, it is the one stop shop for communication.

I am a part-time working student, I rely on today's technology such as my blackberry to keep me informed as to what is going on in my absence on campus. It’s funny how Facebook is now (a social networking website) the means for obtaining all sorts of information. Whether it is joining a club, promoting a party, looking for a roommate and selling your vehicle, college students depend on the bulletin boards for the latest information.

Today’s students are texting as a means of immediate communication and obtaining information between friends and associates. Tangible communication- such as flyers and posters will be something of the past. You must be internet connected to stay in tuned to the latest happenings on campus.

“I don't use the college bulletin boards, I'm only on campus for classes and study groups, so I really only linger around where my classes are held, in Jaeb and Sykes," said Melanie Whetzel, Senior Management Information Systems. "Because, of my schedule most of anything that I've seen advertised on the Sykes/Jaeb boards I can't attend, because I either have class or I'm at work. The majority of activities I want to attend that the campus hosts (that I've seen on those boards or through email/blackboard/Facebook) actually are during times I cannot attend without either skipping a class or taking time out of work to go to.”

Taking a peek into the Jaeb Computer Lab, I see one again there is a bulletin board with various flyers informing of computer lab hours, a UT’s Men’s Baseball game announcement and a Beach Day trip, but not as colorful as the boards in North Walker Hall. I notice that all of the pieces of paper in both locations have a seal of approval for posting from Student Leadership and Engagement.

However, for now the bulletin board is here to stay. Students don’t need to log onto the world wide web with pass words to obtain campus information-it is as easy as walking down the university’s hallways.

In the future, I wouldn’t be surprised that today’s pin-up bulletin board would become electronic to keep up today’s ever changing technology.