Officials encouraging students to engage with MSU through Twitter, other outlets.

College students are seeking social web sites for their primary source of news and communication now more than ever.

Social Stampede is a way for Midwestern State to engage with the students through social media.

“We want to encourage more students to get involved with their college community,” said Matthew Steimel, social media coordinator of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Steimel first began as a student assistant and then became a full-time school official in September of 2012.

“My office really handles the Instagram and Twitter sites while the Facebook group page of Midwestern is managed by the Information Office,” Steimel said.

This social media account started in May of 2012 and now already has 1,173 followers on Twitter.

“When the site reaches 1,500 followers we will begin giving out surprises and will hopefully be doing the same thing once we reach 2,000 followers,” Steimel said.

“These efforts will hopefully allow the administration to let students know of their presence through social media,” Steimel said.

Social Stampede is prevalent on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“Not only do we stay relevant through digital interactions, but we also provide halftime promotions at sporting events like Midwestern basketball games,” Steimel said.

Sometimes it is easy for social media web sites to get involved with personal student affairs, but Social Stampede tries to keep it MSU related and education friendly.

“We don’t do advertisements and promotions for businesses such as Denim and Diamonds or Stage West Night Club because those are situations and events that do not involve Midwestern,” Steimel said.

Because this particular method to get MSU involved with students through social media is relatively new, some students don’t feel the connection yet.

“It’s a start, but I don’t feel connected with the university because all they focus on is giving away stuff,” said Alejandro Franco, freshman in accounting.

Social Stampede promoters have been giving away shirts to establish this social media movement.

Some students don’t feel like social media sites are an effective way for the university to connect with students.

“I don’t understand the point of hash-tagging with the university through Social Stampede because I don’t care to interact with MSU through social media,” said Ashli Delozier, senior in nursing.

The Social Stampede hopes to promote its efforts to be able to network with students by getting engaged with more events and receiving more followers.

“This is my first semester in this position at MSU so it’s a learning experience for me, but we ultimately want to encourage student involvement,” Steimel said.

Students can get involved with Social Stampede by using #SocialStampede, #StangGang, and #MSUPride on Twitter and Instagram or by going to the MSU Facebook page.