Drury’s Marketing & Communications office is once again hosting their annual photo contest on Instagram, “#DruryLife”. Students have a shot at a $5,000 grant that can be applied to any study abroad program Drury offers by participating in the contest. It is based solely on likes students receive after their photo is posted on the Drury University Instagram page. This raises the question: Is the contest fair to all students?

What is the purpose?

One of the goals of the contest is to increase student involvement and express what the “Drury experience” is. Emelia Equist of Drury’s Marketing & Communications office explained how photos entered in the contest are meant to represent Drury life.

“Student content is [a] genuine representation of Drury on social media. Student photos and captions create a slice-of-life story collection the campus community and prospective students,” Equist stated.

While the purpose of the contest is to advertise what it is like to be a student at Drury, current student Emily Schulze explained her perspective on the contest.

“I think this contest is more of just easy PR for Drury and if they are truly wanting to offer a scholarship, that the photos could be submitted privately with an attached short excerpt of why that student feels they are deserving of the scholarship instead of this public contest that pits students against each other,” expressed Schulze.

(Photo via pixabay.com)

For some students, the concept of receiving a scholarship based solely on the ability to get likes on Instagram seems questionable.

Who are the participants? Who isn’t participating?

All day school Drury students can enter the contest. They are encouraged to share photos that depict what the Drury experience is. Equist is excited about what the contest offers to students.

“This contest is an opportunity for students in all walks of Drury life to show their involvement on campus and demonstrate what it’s like to be a Drury student,” said Equist.

Although all students are encouraged to enter the contest and the winner is determined based on the number of likes they receive in one week, it tends to attract those who are more “popular” on campus, making the contest seem unfair to many students. Emily Schulze expressed her opinion on who is participating.

“For those in Greek Life, I feel that there is an unfair advantage because they seem to be active on social media where this entire contest takes place, but it is also applicable to athletes, and other tight-knit communities on campus,” explained Schulze.

The contest is designed to promote Drury by getting students to campaign for likes. While it may do this successfully, it may also have adverse effects on students.

“I feel this marginalizes students who are not involved on campus because their lack of involvement could be due to a financial issue, which should make them more worthy of gaining a scholarship for an opportunity they otherwise would not have,” said Schulze.

The contest is designed to give students an opportunity they may otherwise not have and Drury’s Marketing & Communications office is proud to offer this opportunity through the month of October. Students who wish to participate should send their photo via Direct Message to Drury University’s Instagram account (@druryuniversity).

Written by Elaine Choate.