In the last 10 years, texting has become one of the most convenient avenues of communication, which is making teachers, staff and students alike rethink how they interact with each other.
The Office of Student Life has made texting the primary method of contacting students. Brandon Tittle, assistant dean of students, said they will primarily text students to set up appointments to meet face to face, not to communicate information.
“It started as a last resort because we found that a lot of people don’t answer their phones if they don’t recognize the number and very few people actually have a voicemail set up,” Tittle said. “More and more, it’s become our first resort because responses are almost immediate.”
Even though cell phone numbers are no longer listed on “people search,” they are kept under the personal information tab on Pipeline, which the Office of Student Life can access.
Junior Kalyn Hunter has received a text from student life and said she had mixed feelings about it.
“I appreciate the deans’ new way of communication because it feels more personal, but I find it like a parent and I’m not sure I like the idea of having to instantly respond to a dean,” Hunter said.
Texting has become more prevalent between students and teachers as well. Some professors will put their cell phone numbers on their course syllabi — usually with a stipulation that students do not call or text during certain hours.
Dr. Shawn Daggett, director of the Center for World Missions, said texting between a teacher and a student is deemed appropriate depending on the situation. Daggett said some students will text because they think it elicits a response quicker than emailing, but he said unless the issue is pressing he cannot guarantee an instant response.
“I think the platform of communication should be proportionate to the nature of the student’s request,” Daggett said. “If a student is having an emergency and needs to get a hold of me, texting is fine. If they’re doing it more for convenience’s sake or to ‘jump line’ in my inbox, that’s when it becomes inappropriate.”
Daggett said he was most worried about students prank calling his cell phone, but he said most students have not abused the privilege.
Junior Cana Moore said texting and social media are convenient ways to get a hold of teachers, but still not how she prefers to talk to them.
“If I need to discuss something school related, I usually use my email,” Moore said. “But sometimes email isn’t the most effective method, and the flexibility that modern technology gives is great.”
