Pro/Con Vanguard Memes

I don’t always write about Vanguard University Memes, but when I do, I complain about them in the school newspaper.

Students at Vanguard who have a Facebook page have likely seen the recent trend of Vanguard University Memes.

In an effort to be funny in front of their friends, Vanguard students recently created an entire Vanguard University Memes page on Facebook. The page exhibits comical but sometimes offensive memes commenting on all things Vanguard.

Most memes are seen as lighthearted and truly funny. However, on a Facebook page unregulated by the university, it only takes one bad meme to spoil the whole bunch.

The memes in question include negative references to religion, racism, drug use, sexual activity, and specific students as well as Vanguard faculty. All of these memes are posted on Facebook and available for anyone to see.

I will acknowledge however, that the creator of the Vanguard University Memes page has exhibited some sense of censorship with a post regarding the Assemblies of God.

Vanguard University Memes
“We would like to apologize for the Assemblies of God post. We recognize that it was crossing the line and have removed it.”

This works, but how long was this post actually visible online? I have no way of knowing, but it was visible long enough for the page’s creator to apologize.

Any communication major can tell you, “You can’t unsay what you said. You can apologize all day, but your words can’t be erased.” The same sentiment applies here; simply taking this questionable meme off the page did not erase what was being communicated. Someone saw this post. Which is one too many.

These negative references associated with the Vanguard University name are simply disrespectful to the university. Not only that, but it’s bad PR. Consider the prospective students that stumble across the Vanguard University Memes page and reconsider their choice.

The people who view or “like” the Vanguard University Memes page are being subjected to memes that are offensive and “cross the line.”  I want to know where this line is. I want to know who decides what crosses and doesn’t cross the line. I know it’s not the faculty of Vanguard. Clearly written on the Vanguard University Memes page, the site’s creator writes,

“This page is not sponsored by Vanguard University and in no way reflects opinions or beliefs held by its faculty…”

The problem arises when people associate these offensive memes with our university. It’s clearly displayed as the topic of the page.

From these offensive memes, we as Vanguard students must be better aware of how we represent our university. This is not how we want prospective students to view us, this is not how we want potential employers to view us. Though it may not bother some people, I pose a legitimate question.  When you “like” or post a Vanguard Meme online, ask yourself, “Is this how I want to represent my university?

I completely understand the humor on the Vanguard Memes Facebook page, but what cost must we pay for a cheap laugh at the expense of our Vanguard community? Who wants their university to be the butt end of the joke? I for one cannot participate in something that bashes the school I take so much pride in, no matter how little the infraction.

I don’t always bash my university, but when I do, it’s on a Vanguard Meme.