On October 4, Vice President of Student Affairs Kevin Hughes at Christopher Newport University released an email to CNU students entitled ‘thoughts to share’ discussing controversy over posts made to YikYak.
The application in question is used as an anonymous forum where students can make posts and comments. Despite its nature of appearing anonymous, the app requires a valid CNU email to join the page.
Within the email, Hughes relayed that several students have brought to his attention that a number of racist and hurtful posts were made over the previous weekend.
Threats and comments “based on their race, gender, abilities and similar distinctive characteristics” have been made on numerous occasions, causing a portion of the student body to feel “unsafe” and “uncomfortable.”
Hughes stated that he is not a fan of the app, nor does he believe that the app often represents its intentions of being a forum to “unite communities,” nor does it serve as a “place to be equal.”
Hughes referenced the honor code in which each student has signed, stating that a CNU student will uphold a standard of respect for their fellow peers.
“That commitment means we have to do something about it when we see behavior or actions that run afoul of respecting and trusting each other,” he said.
“From where I sit, respect and mutual trust is about basic human decency. Every person, whether a part of this community or not, has value and worth. Each person brings perspectives and experiences that offer different insights and different ways of knowing and understanding the world,” Hughes said in the email. “There’s a beauty in all of that, and as an institution of higher learning, we want and need to explore those pathways to better make sense of the world.”
He also stated that while there is no expectation for CNU students to stop using the app, they are encouraged to do so.
“None of us are perfect, but let’s commit to being better,” he said.
