By NICOLE HORTON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The “Fordham Compliments” Facebook page follows the innovative model of the “Queens U Compliments” page from Kingston, Ontario, which was established on Oct. 16, 2012.
The idea of a compliments board has gone viral, spawning corresponding models at nearly 100 universities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
“Fordham Compliments” received 771 friend requests in twenty-four hours and it currently has almost 3,000 friends. Students submit a compliment about a member of the Fordham community to the page’s overseers, and the compliment is posted anonymously.
The founders and overseers of “Fordham Compliments” maintain their anonymity just as those who submit accolades do, but the creators identify themselves as two female juniors.
The Fordham Compliments team points out that this page fosters Fordham University’s mission and ideals, along with our motto of being “men and women for others.”
“Here at Fordham, we aspire to be leaders in a global society,” the “Fordham Compliments” Facebook page said. “We approach our learning through the Jesuit tradition that springs from Christian humanism and Catholic spirituality. In that tradition, we recognize the uniqueness of each person. ‘Fordham Compliments’ is one way, among many, that students, faculty and other members of our community honor and applaud the unique aspects of each person.”
Students, at times, may feel uncomfortable complimenting acquaintances or forgetting to compliment people who they do not encounter every day.
This page serves as a forum through which Fordham students have the opportunity to take a moment out of their busy daily schedules, log on to Facebook and brighten someone’s day with a heartfelt compliment, such as this one:
“Bailey Link is possibly the kindest person I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. I can tell she is a genuinely good person. The world needs more people like you Bailey!”
“I’m definitely not surprised that Fordham has something like this,” Bailey Link, GSB ’16, said. “At this school, I’ve met some of the kindest and caring people. A random compliments Facebook page reflects the kindness that I’ve witnessed in my peers, friends and faculty.”
Other kind words include:
“You are a natural born leader.”
“You are the greatest example of a lifetime friend.”
“You were there for me when no one else was.”
“You are one of the most sincere and down to earth people I have had the pleasure of meeting at Fordham.”
“Your honesty, loyalty, and work ethic are unmatched.”
“Fordham Compliments” has evolved from a venue for student compliments to a forum for compliments for university figures at large.
Compliments for faculty, staff, residential advisors, small businesses in the Bronx and more have been submitted.
The overseers say that in addition to posting these compliments on the page, they are also e-mailing the compliments directly to the subject of the post.
“Fordham Compliments” is a positive example of the complex idea of anonymity. Our generation’s easy, seemingly constant access to social networking websites and blogs, coupled with globalization, has allowed internet users to post hostile, petty comments hidden under the veil of anonymity.
Anonymity gives internet users the potentially dangerous ability to distance themselves from their cruel words and actions.
The page’s overseers are happy to report that they receive very few negative Facebook messages, so Fordham students are happy to contribute to the page’s mission and success.
“The compliments mean so much more because they’re anonymous,” Link said. “It’s nice to hear things from your friends and family, but there’s something flattering about getting one from someone you aren’t that close with. The anonymity adds to the fun!”
On a more serious note, the Compliments team references the recent violent tragedies stemming from gun violence that have occurred at schools and universities as a reason to reach out to those who may feel unappreciated or isolated.
“Perhaps the tragedies we witness too regularly involving disenfranchised teens with guns might be prevented if those teens feel valued,” a post on the “Fordham Compliments” Facebook page said. “We truly do believe that every person has the power to make a difference. ‘Fordham Compliments’ is just one little blip on the screen, but if one compliment leads one person to be kinder to just one other person, it has achieved its purpose.”
Looking towards the future, the founders of Fordham Compliments said, “We hope that this helps foster a community more willing to compliment in the ‘real world.’ We are also satisfied if this small site remains a unique oasis of honest support.”
