Yesterday I ran across a fascinating article saying that 99% of Amherst College freshman had already connected on Facebook via an “Amherst College Class of 2012” Group. Out of the 438 registered freshman, 432 had joined that specific FB Group the week before classes even started.
Lately I’ve been hearing more and more about how Facebook’s traffic and users are trending older, and that is likely very true (as it becomes more mainstream) but the power and trend here is really that sheer number of college students who use Facebook as their primary method of communication with friends. Sure cell phone bills are at all time highs, but where the social web really meets Millennials – and younger – is on Facebook.
What I cannot figure out is why colleges and universities haven’t done more to embrace the social phenomenon by way of official groups, Fan pages of campus landmarks, buildings, or people. Certainly the Athletic departments at every major college and university has already setup Groups and Fan Pages on Facebook already (haven’t they?), why haven’t the admissions reps, professors, and support staff embraced it as a great opportunity to connect and share with people who are highly engaged and ready to learn?
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