When Elon students log onto Facebook, they never have to fear a shortage of sorority photos or a scarcity of Instagram campus shots.
As of late, they’ll also never again go without a consistent flow of heartwarming statuses about their peers, thanks to Elon Compliments, a Facebook page with nearly 2,500 friends that “aims to spread joy and love to the Elon community,” according to the organization’s profile.
In order to start spreading this love, all one has to do is “inbox a compliment or a message of appreciation that you may have about a member of the Elon community, and have it published [on the page] anonymously.”
But the posts are more than just an average compliment. These posts often have the power to brighten a student’s day.
“Elon Compliments specifically has a way of making students feel as if they have made some sort of mark at Elon,” said sophomore Elsa Putur. “Even better, someone has taken the time to highlight how you make the Elon community a better place simply through your actions and presence on campus.”
The creators of Elon Compliments don’t wish to reveal their identity at this time, but they wish to clarify they are not the same individuals behind Elon Crushes, the latest kindhearted Facebook page.
“We have decided to keep the secrecy going for a bit longer, and will not reveal our identity at the present time,” Elon Compliments said. “Although we will say that this is a group of four friends working on the page together.”
The tradition of forming a compliments page began last September at Queen's University in Canada. Since then it has spread to hundreds of campuses across the United States, from Columbia University in New York to Tulane University in Louisiana.
The page seemed to have reached Elon just in time when a majority of students were in dire need of compassion and cheer: fall finals week. The creators of the page cite the Emory University compliments page as their direct inspiration for starting the group.
Although posts have slowed from a flood to a steady stream since the page’s initial creation in December, students are optimistic about the long-term effects Elon Compliments has had on campus.
“Elon Compliments really speaks to the sense of community and friendliness on Elon’s campus,” Putur said. “The compassion of Elon Compliments inspires more students to take on more random acts of kindness.”
And no need to fear: The Elon Compliments team assures the student body they have no intention of retiring any time soon.
“We hope to continue running this page until the messages stop coming in,” Elon Compliments said. “So keep on sending in your compliments, Elon.”