Recently, UR made headlines by asking Yik Yak to reveal the identities of the individuals behind the slew of racist, threatening posts that appeared on the app several weeks ago. The aftermath of this leaves us with a few thoughts.
We commend the actions of the administration in these troubling times. With racial issues and controversies so prevalent in the national atmosphere, it is laudable that UR is standing up for civil rights. In doing so, the administration is not only looking out for the interests of its own students, but also those of all those subjugated to discrimination in today’s world. And, after speaking with members of the administration, we are certain that UR is committed to ensuring the safety and comfortability of all of its students.
We also applaud the administration’s restraint and sensitivity in this situation. In the past, when issues with the way the app was being used arose in high schools, Yik Yak opted to “geo-fence” the sites of concern—block off access within the area. Notably, the company did this with the entire city of Chicago after receiving complaints from high school administrators about individuals using the app to cyberbully others. The administration could have chosen to request the geo-fencing of the campus, but they did not, showing a respect for its students’ fundamental freedom of speech.
Similarly, when the idea to simply block the app on school Wi-Fi came up during deliberations, many administrators advocated against the measure, correctly judging the (in)effectiveness of the solution and the possible issues with student freedom and privacy. We are glad to see that the administration has reacted reasonably.
Our only request is that the administration improve its communication with the student body regarding this issue. After being notified by Yik Yak that the company would not disclose the names of any posters without legal reason, UR sought a subpoena from the Monroe County District Attorney’s office. However, the school made no direct effort to let its students know about this decision. Informing the student body of this, instead of letting people find out via the news or word of mouth, would have been more transparent and perhaps stemmed the growth of rumors and hearsay.
The student body’s role in this situation also cannot be ignored. First, we praise the efforts of individuals in SA Senate to condemn the use of threatening language on Yik Yak and encourage the spread of positive messages in its place. A draft resolution to do so was written by SA Senators Delvin Moody and Sequoia Kemp, and we encourage the Senate to continue on the path of putting these plans into action. Second, we must remind the student body that it is a part of this campus community and thus must work to contribute positively to it. By attending this university, students pledge to abide by the Code of Conduct, and threatening to burn structures in front of buildings certainly isn’t a covered or acceptable activity. And, though UR’s Communal Principles aren’t binding in the same way as the Code of Conduct, as members of the University community, we should all strive to respect and adhere to them.
We look forward to a more positive and productive future.
