Your best old lady gal pal has found a new tool she plans to use to her advantage. On exploring a “internet,” I found this site on the Book Face, Face Book, called “SAC Confessions.” Oh my, oh my, was it interesting.

First off, no I am not the creator of this webpage. I know the snarky nature of the page sounds like something I would establish, but I cannot take the credit for it. I did find it very entertaining though.

A page like this shows that the school administration pulled off their goal of creating a more unified Anselmian community. Although I am sure many of my friends in the administration would not support the page, I believe that this page was only possible through their community building tactics.

Everyone on this campus knows what these SAC confessions are talking about. Everyone knows someone who has stolen a cup from Davison or complained about the nursing majors. We can all laugh and acknowledge the quirks of this place that only we understand.

If we had this page back in my day, I am sure you would see Ms. Pritchett up there quite a bit. I was quite the wild one way back when. I would hike up my petticoat and…well that’s a story for another time.

What is more interesting than the confessions themselves are the comments people post. There are some who will defend the school, their classmates, or the opinion itself.

Here is one that inspired a few comments:

“A girl told an entire class that no one should be allowed into this school, or even allowed to work here, if they aren’t Catholic. And no one disagreed with her. One of my teachers asked me on my way out of class on Ash Wednesday when I was going to church that day. I am not Catholic and I hate it here. I can’t wait to leave. Also, I say obscene things to scare tour groups whenever I see them, hopefully they won’t make the same mistake I did, and its funny.”

The comments were pretty kind, but also directly to the point. People pointed out that the person who posted this could leave the school and go somewhere without a religious affiliation. They also agreed, however, that there is an assumption that most students and faculty are Roman Catholic.

Although I am never one to shy away from opinion, I do not want to bring up these confessions to debate the merits of the arguments.

I wanted to bring this up to show contrasting views of community. This whole academic year has been focused on creating more school pride and a greater sense of community. The “We Are Anselmians” campaign was built around the idea of bringing people together.

Community is about sharing kindness and care for each other, but the other side of that is fighting and irritation. How many of you have siblings that you love but want to kill at the same time?

The “SACconfessions” page, from what my foggy, ancient eyes can see, is that darker side of community; the side that fights and vents and airs the family’s dirty laundry. Although some posts are nice and fun, others are a little more, how shall I say it? Risqué? Obscene yet hilarious?

This page shows that even though we care about one another as Anselmians we are allowed to fight and be disgruntled with each other. We are allowed to vent out frustrations, and share them with others. Not every part of a community is filled with dancing unicorns and singing flowers (people think those are happy right? I’m a miserable wench so happy things are not something I am too familiar with).

It is all a matter of balance between the two of them. The counter-balance to “SACconfessions” is the “Saint Anselm Compliments” page.

This page, although not overwhelmingly endorsed by Crier, was an effort to spread more kindness in the community after the tragedy in Connecticut last December.

Students posted nice things about each other and tried to spread more loving acceptance in the community. It was successful for a while, and liked by most students.

Here’s an example of one compliments post:

“To the girl who picked me up on the side of the road when I was walking back to campus late last night: thanks. You’re the true embodiment of Anselmian kindness. :)”

The two pages show the two sides of a community. Sometimes we help each other and make each other feel better, and other times we tear each other down.

Both pages provide for entertainment, disgust, and hilarity. All of my favorite things!

Before the confessions page becomes more popular and people say it goes directly against the message of the school I want to give it the Maude Pritchett “seal of approval.”

Next time you want to create a page like this though, ask for my consultation. I specialize in controversy.