#SocialTuesdays: Ohio University administrators connect with students via Twitter
Editor’s Note: This is the seventh in a weekly series examining social media accounts both affiliated and not affiliated with Ohio University.
Some of the most powerful people at the university are just one tweet away.
Several university administrators use Twitter as a direct means of communication with their followers, many of whom are students at Ohio University.
Some of the biggest social media news to hit the university this year has been the addition of President Roderick McDavis onto the social network. The profile, @OHIOPrezOffice, brings “Musings and updates from the Ohio University President’s Office,” according to the page’s bio.
The page boasts more than 1,600 followers.
“I think that we all have to change with the times … as new students come to the university you have to try different ways to connect,” McDavis said.
He said he uses Twitter so he can “be more transparent” with students.
“I think it’s important for people to hear from me in more than just a formal email way,” he said.
McDavis started a Twitter account because most students are online, and he believes that is one of the best ways to communicate with them. His first four posts were all selfies with the new freshman class at Freshmen Convocation earlier this fall.
One of the more active administrative Twitter accounts is that of Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones. @JennyHallJones has more than 4,600 followers and joined Twitter in April 2009.
“My philosophy has always been … this is just one other way, it’s not the only way, but it’s one other way to make Ohio University smaller and feel more connected as a community member,” said Hall-Jones.
“Jenny Hall-Jones is a powerhouse,” Larissa Bradford, a senior studying environmental geography, said.
Bradford said Hall-Jones “puts herself out there as a relatable person.”
Some students believe social media allows administrators to show their personality off.
“It humanizes them … makes them seem like they have a life,” Jack Cummings, a sophomore studying community health, said.
“It makes them seem like another member of the Bobcat family,” Cummings said.
Hall-Jones, alongside Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi, spoke to a conference for senior student affairs professionals about how they use social media and how others in similar positions can also benefit from going online.
Hall-Jones said she encouraged student affairs professionals worried about the stereotypes of social media to try Twitter to connect with students.
She said some professionals believe creating an online persona can hinder their ability to help students.
But “when you’re in student affairs, when you’re the dean of students, you’re supposed to know what students are talking about,” she said.
“I should be able to tell you what’s going on on Yik-Yak. I can’t even tell you how many things I’ve had to look up on Urban Dictionary. I’m like ‘I don’t even know what this means.’ And then I think ‘oh my goodness, I shouldn’t have looked that up,’ ” she said.
More than 8,000 people follow Lombardi’s account, @OHIOVP, which was also created in April of 2009. Lombardi echoed Hall-Jones’ reasons for reaching out to students online.
“I just think, in short, it helps me connect with students,” said Lombardi.
There are thousands of students on campus and only one top administrator representing students, making Twitter an easy way for people to connect with him.
Lombardi uses his account to keep in touch with students and said he even learns from them. “I also think it helps them get to know me outside of just my formal role,” he said.
He said he and other administrators do their best to utilize social media to spread campus happenings.
“Sometimes we will tweet out some relevant and updated news,” he said.
Twitter is “an easy and accessible way to reach us,” Lombardi said.
Lombardi said even though he does not respond to every tweet he receives, he wants students to know that he actually does look at the tweets and even tries to help solve problems behind-the-scenes.
“As an administrator, it really helps me get a pulse on the campus,” he said.
@w_gibbs
