Learning from Tragedy

Observations on Social Media Response to death and disaster

Brockport S.M.U.G.

Nov. 1, 2012

The Background

• Sept. 29 – Alex Kogut found dead in her dorm room.

• First murder in memory on campus

• Oct. 29- Hurricane Sandy slams her way up the coast

Our response• Messages go out on Facebook and Twitter

before 6 am.

Continuing to update•Sherriff’s Press Conference•Thank you •Notice of the arrest•Counseling Center•Official Statements•We updated the Facebook Page 8 times on 9/29-30•Updated Twitter a similar number of times.

ResponsePeople were understandably sad angry and upset

Overwhelming support

Many concerns

Parents

Communication

Questions about Identification

Our Community RespondsStudent said it better than we ever could

Good wishes

Thank yous

We should never ever forget

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re0OuXPYQh0

Lessons

• More is better than less• Be cautious, but be honest• Be respectful• Don’t underestimate your community• Trust your gut• Be human

The hurricane

• Whoa• This is the day I almost snapped.

Lessons

• You can’t win• Students want things now• Parents will freak• Rumors will spread

The impact

Questions? Comments? Complaints?

• @dtyler321• X2306• dtyler@brockport.edu