Readings for October 1st

               Belonging is one of the most important things when it comes to social media. People aren’t going to want to join a site unless they are able to feel and know that they are part of a community that shares the same goals and interests. As Howard explains in the beginning of the chapter, stories of origin are what bring the people together. His example of new faculty learning about the story of how Clemson University came to be allows them to become a part of the school, as well as influences them to act in certain ways, such as with funding. These stories are the very foundation of a social community.

                Another important part of belonging that Howard mentions is the appearance of symbols to represent communities. As a Clemson student, I immediately identify myself with its logos, such as the one pictured on page 141. To me, symbols are one of the most important aspects to belonging because it creates an identity that the community shares. Once you see that symbol, you instantly feel at home because you belong to that community. Even other symbols, such as the thumbs-up on Facebook, bring people together because those who belong to the Facebook community have access to those icons.

                Creating ceremonies is also a great technique used to ensure belonging. Our way of including this in our Clemson Student Affairs project was to hold contests for best videos and announce winners on Clemson’s website and the Facebook pages of both Dining and Housing Services. Recognizing these winners allows students to feel as if they really did something productive, and they’re being rewarded for their hard work. We also thought it would be a good idea to allow those winners to choose the next winners. That way, the students know that it’s all about them, and their voices are being heard.