Simon looks to Web to reach bigger crowd

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For the first time in MSU’s history, the State of the University address is going viral.

In a video set to upload sometime next week, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will break from the usual method of delivering the speech at the All-University Awards Convocation. Instead, Simon is set to take her message to YouTube and social media Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

University Spokesman Terry Denbow said the video, which likely will be about 10 minutes long, will feature Simon discussing the university’s health with viewers.

Simon will focus on the major issues facing the university, such as its finances. Denbow said by creating a video for mass distribution on the Internet, Simon hopes the message will reach a broader audience than those who attend the Feb. 9 awards ceremony.

Simon still will speak at the ceremony, but will limit the length of the speech.

Simon could not be reached Monday for comment.

“It makes it more personal,” Denbow said. “It makes it more communicative. It broadens the audience.”

Apart from reaching a broader audience, Denbow said the move also will promote viewer interaction by allowing those who view the video to respond to Simon’s message via comment sections.

MSU Trustee Colleen McNamara said the decision to put the State of the University address in video form is wise, especially considering the awards convocation typically doesn’t draw a large crowd.

McNamara said she is unable to attend the ceremony this year and that the video will allow interested parties, including herself, to hear and see how the university is doing directly from Simon.

“It’s a very practical thing for … anyone who’s interested (to) actually be able to see that occur,” McNamara said.

Despite the advantage of being able to reach a wider audience, some students said the address does not hold enough recognition to attract viewers.

Lanny Fox, a Spanish and comparative cultures and politics senior, said he won’t watch the address for several reasons.

“I haven’t heard about it ever, and … I just don’t think it would be a productive use of my time,” Fox said.

MSU Trustee Melanie Foster said although the video format marks a deviation from the address’s usual setting, it is a good change in a world dominated by technology.

“This is potentially a vehicle of delivery that will reach a much broader audience than we’ve reached in the past, which I look at as a very positive thing,” she said.

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