July 30, 2020

Returning to Facebook

Last month, I announced that we would suspend posting on Facebook and Instagram in solidarity with #StopHateForProfit. The response we received from our School of Nursing community was overwhelming and surprising. Rather than moving away from these platforms, a number of students, staff, and faculty urged us to instead consider leaning on these companies by posting anti-racist content and supporting diverse voices. Concern was also expressed by our school community that by boycotting the Facebook company, we had lost two of our most visible and powerful recruitment tools.

In response, our Marketing and Communications team used this time and valuable feedback to update our school’s social media content strategy. In addition to how we previously used these platforms for advertising events, engaging with alumni, and supporting recruitment efforts, the UW School of Nursing social media content strategy now includes:

• Embracing anti-racism and allyship by, among other tactics, amplifying messages of leaders of color in nursing and healthcare-related social justice issues;
• Focusing less on “me” and more on “we”: highlighting how we give back to our communities both here and abroad;
• Leaning in on trending topics and current events, especially as it relates to equity, population health, the profession, and nursing education.

The team will be partnering with leaders in our school, across the university, and in our community to help drive our strategy and create compelling content. I invite you to reach out to them with stories, accolades, resources, and research that supports and leverages this strategy.

I thank you for sharing your perspective and concerns with me, as well as your ideas and constructive criticism with our MarComm team. And I thank you for your continued support in the fight against racism and for social justice.