By Lorelai Wilson
The ever evolving phenomena of social media has made obvious changes to the world. Through Instagram, X, and Snapchat there is no shortage of social needs being met. Now, with features such as university Snapchat stories and apps like YikYak, the globalization of social media has been fenced into a college campus.
Snapchat Campus Stories were initially added to the platform in 2014 with intentions of student newspaper-like qualities. The has evolved into a communicative form of entertainment, featuring campus celebrities, student-led events and items that would normally end up in the lost and found.
“The story has been a community for people to express their thoughts, and overall a positive thing,” said freshman Logan Perez.
Perez became one of many campus celebrities early on in the semester. By making a casual post of a tall door frame on the UARK 2027 Story, Perez haphazardly obtained a campus wide nickname and overnight fame. Since this post, Perez has had notable influence on the app and on campus, as students frequently photo-op with him specifically for the 2027 Story.
“I just didn’t expect it to last so long,” said Perez. “It’s still funny from time to time though.”
Perez is not the only campus celebrity to come out of Snapchat. Along with these celebrities, the UARK snap story has produced a plethora of trends, inside jokes and genuine campus connection.
“(There’s) not really anything I’d change,” said Perez, “it has brought a nice atmosphere to the campus”.
The start of the semester was filled with unofficial student events, planned and executed via the snap story. From last minute basketball games to ping pong tournaments to student events, the snap story encouraged involvement without the pretext of fear of missing out. Videos are posted as these activities happen, serving as an open invite to anyone on the story.
Any student on the UARK snap story belonged there, and was therefore welcome to join the party.
“I’ve posted about roommates, and at the beginning of the year I was trying to make friends using things we have in common, and then if anyone needed help on an assignment,” said Freshman Hannah Badeaux.
Additionally, the snap story has shown a variety of practical uses for student life. Lost student IDs and property are constantly posted, giving a time and place for lost items. Student financial opportunities are fruitful as well, with tutoring and entrepreneurship having a casual spotlight.
Badeaux has utilized the snap story to find tutoring opportunities. “I’ve posted twice, and a few people have reached out to me. We meet and I help them through it,” said Badeaux. This sort of reach out not only helps struggling students, but gives way for possible social connection as well.
The feature has proven to blur the line between social and practical, especially when considering roommates for the upcoming academic year. With housing leases opening in October, the freshman search for roommates dominates conversations and the 2027 snap story.
Students post leases, roommate preferences and other housing information, reaching likewise students all around campus. This limits the possibility of living with complete strangers. Badeaux has met new people through this process, saying they, “had posted on the UARK 2027 story and said they were looking for someone to be a roommate, and I slid up because I’m looking.” said Badeaux. “It’s a good way to meet people. A safer way.”
It is worth noting that while all grade levels have access to different years’ stories, there is a stark difference between first year involvement and that of other age groups. Stories for upperclassmen are more focused on party invites and housing agreements, showing less personality in comparison to the younger classes.
With only one year difference, the stories rapidly change. Whether this is because of the high school transition or just an expectation difference, each story has its place within the app and student body.
Another source of campus social media has found a strong presence within the university student community – while Snapchat is abnormally upfront and inclusive, its anonymous and gossipier counterpart is found in Yik Yak.
Similar to X, formerly known as twitter, Yik Yak has users post thoughts, questions and concerns with the possibility of being “upvoted” and boosted to the top of the feed. Any post including a name gets taken down, regardless if it is the original poster or not.
The anonymity of Yik Yak allows for a perfect sword and shield situation for those with malintent or otherwise. Picking up right around sorority rush week, Yik Yak was initially flooded with Greek life rankings and slander. With no direct connection between students, Yik Yak is entertainment with no responsibility, expectation, or reprimand.
Fit checks and Frat party ratings riddle the home screen. The lack of identity gives every opinion equal weight and influence over users, with little to no consequence.. Because users have the choice to like a post, it feeds off of student involvement in a completely different way than the informative structure of Snapchat.
The zeitgeist of social media is perfectly wrapped up in the college experience. The global implications of these platforms reshape and are embraced by the incoming student populations, with UARK 2028’s snap story being uploaded to the platform the week of Oct. 9.
Positives and negatives go with each source of campus social media. The future use of the apps for UA undergrads is as unprecedented as the success of these features in the present. Influence, kindness and student connection is more accessible than ever, bringing the student body together post by post.