Digital Identities Will Be Focus of ‘Saints Go Social’ Week
John Buccigross to speak Thursday
Citizenship and the concept of becoming an engaged citizen are often topics that students learn about and discuss on college campuses. During St. Lawrence University’s “Saints Go Social” Digital Identity Education Week, however, students will have the opportunity to learn and reflect on what it means to be a responsible digital citizen as well.
Beginning Monday, several events will coincide with Digital Identity Education Week, including a visit by ESPN sportscaster John Buccigross on Thursday, Feb. 6, and a Social Media Night during the women’s ice hockey game against Princeton on Friday, Feb. 7.
The weeklong event was created by Meg Bernier, assistant director of editorial services and social media, and Chris Wells, head coach for women’s ice hockey. The goal is to help inform students that what they do online becomes just as much a part of their personal identity as who as they are in person.
“College students have already created digital identities that can have both positive and negative effects on their reputations, their futures and others,” Bernier said. “As more internship and job recruiters turn to these platforms to investigate candidates and applicants and as the job market’s need for people who can manage social media accounts increases, we have an obligation as an institution of higher education to make them aware of the implications their digital identities can have and how they can put their best digital footprint forward.”
The first “Saints Go Social” event took place in January 2013, when Wells decided to have the women’s hockey team use Twitter and other social media outlets to inform fans what it’s like to be inside an NCAA Division I women’s hockey game. Players wore special jerseys with their Twitter handles across their backs instead of their last names.
“It started out as a crazy idea at a practice,” Wells said. “But ‘Saints Go Social’ educated athletes and fans about how to be safe and have fun on social media while wearing Twitter jerseys.”
Digital Identity Education Week is being funded by a St. Lawrence University Innovation Grant. Supported by the President’s Office, the Innovation Grants program began in 2010 to encourage initiatives that will improve the quality of life at St. Lawrence through curricular, co-curricular, or campus life projects and provide a foundation for St. Lawrence’s future. Students, faculty and staff are eligible for the grants. The event is also being supported by St. Lawrence Libraries, Information Technology and Career Services.
Bernier said she hopes to create a level of awareness on campus that will keep students mindful of their digital identities well beyond the week’s activities.
“The conversations that take place during this week will not end when the week does,” she said. “This is a starting point, and I hope to host additional programming on campus in the months ahead.”
Use #SaintsGoSocial on Twitter to follow this week’s events.
The following is a list of activities that will take place during “Saints Go Social” Digital Identity Education Week:
Monday, Feb. 3
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Valentine 207
Workshop: What is a Digital Identity? Building and Marketing Your Personal Brand Online
Who are you online? How are you using social media? We’ll talk about how to better build your personal brand online, how you can improve your digital footprint and why it’s important to start thinking about these things now.
Presenter: Meg Bernier, University Communications
Tuesday, Feb. 4
4 to 5 p.m.
Sullivan Student Center’s Hannon Room
Workshop: Social Media Q & A
Why should I use hashtags? What is a Twitter List and how can I use it? Come find out the answers and more. Have general questions about how to best use social media? Bring them with you!
Presenter: Meg Bernier, University Communications
7 to 8 p.m.
Valentine 207
Workshop: What is a Digital Identity? Building and Marketing Your Personal Brand Online
Who are you online? How are you using social media? We’ll talk about how to better build your personal brand online, how you can improve your digital footprint and why it’s important to start thinking about these things now.
Presenter: Meg Bernier, University Communications
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Valentine 207
Workshop: Social Media Q & A
Why should I use hashtags? What is a Twitter List and how can I use it? Come find out the answers and more. Have general questions about how to best use social media? Bring them with you!
Meg Bernier, University Communications
4:15 p.m.
Sullivan Student Center’s Hannon Room
Workshop: Being Secure While Living Your Life Online
Living your life online is a normal part of society today. We all have numerous accounts between St. Lawrence, social media and online purchasing/ banking. Ensuring you are taking measures to protect your digital identity is a key responsibility given the serious implications should your account be compromised. This session will help you understand protecting your online identity.
Presenter: Justin Sipher, Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology
Thursday, Feb. 6
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Augsbury 124
Workshop: Being Secure While Living Your Life Online
Living your life online is a normal part of society today. We all have numerous accounts between St. Lawrence, social media and online purchasing/ banking. Ensuring you are taking measures to protect your digital identity is a key responsibility given the serious implications should your account be compromised. This session will help you understand protecting your online identity.
Presenter: Justin Sipher, Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology
8 p.m.
Gulick Theatre
Speaker: John Buccigross, ESPN Sportscaster
Buccigross will discuss how his digital identity has shaped his work at ESPN.
The event is open to St. Lawrence students, faculty and staff (University ID required).
Friday, Feb. 7
3 to 4 p.m.
Sullivan Student Center 333
Workshop: LinkedIn 101
Come learn more about how you can and should be using LinkedIn.
Presented by Career Services
7 p.m.
Appleton Arena
#SaintsGoSocial Women’s Ice Hockey Social Media Night
T-shirts will be given to the first 100 students in the door and the game will feature prizes for interacting with the team on social media. Come decked out in Scarlet and Brown and show your support for the Saints!