Facebook, a Tool for Public Testimony?
I’m sure it’s not the first time Facebook has been used as a tool for public testimony, but it’s the first I’ve heard of it. In the January 6, 2010 Walton Reporter (not online), an article discusses the State University of New York holding forums as part of the SUNY-wide strategic planning process. These forums address the university’s future direction and role for the State of New York, and include gathering observations, suggestions, ideas, comments and engaging a wide range of stakeholders. Here’s where Facebook comes in. If you can’t attend the hearings, you can provide direct input through Facebook, and input provided in this way will be accepted throughout the entire strategic planning process. Any input received before the start of the strategic forum will be read aloud, time permitting. To submit this input, utilize the “Discussions” tab at www.facebook.com/generationsuny. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of this, but SUNY is to be congratulated for indeed making use of available tools, giving more people a voice. Now the next question is will these comments (indeed any forum comments) be taken seriously? All too often the public process is perfunctory and the powers that be are merely going through the motions. But that’s another story. Additional info regarding SUNY’s strategic planning process is available at www.suny.edu.
