On Friday, Oct. 26 a group of students created the Instagram page called SAUcrush (@saucrush). The page allows students to anonymously send pictures of their crushes with a message as to why they like them.
In less than a week the account has gained over 900 followers. The Accent reached out to the admin of the saucrush page through Instagram direct messages, and they provided information but wanted to remain anonymous. The inspiration of the account came after the creators saw their friend taking a video of their crush and thought it would be nice if students could send anonymous messages to the people they like.
The account has posted over 100 responses and has received over 500 comments on their pictures.
That same weekend, other accounts were created as a response. These accounts include @sauanticrush, @thesautea and @saucrushed. None of them are connected with SAUcrush and, despite the name, neither SAUcrush nor any of the other accounts are officially affiliated with Southern.
Other universities, including Andrews University (@au_crush), Walla Walla University (@wwucrush), Pacific Union College (@puc_crush), Southwestern Adventist University (@swau_crush), Burman University (@burmancrush) and Antillean Adventist University (@uaacrush) have had similar accounts made. In their bio, all accounts claim to be inspired by SAUcrush.
The account has been talked on Twitter with the hashtag #saucrush. It has also received a variety of responses from students on campus.
“I think it’s good entertainment,” Eliza Lee, an allied health junior, said. “It kind of connects us together in a humorous way. I think it’s been a while since we had something as entertaining as this at Southern…When I see my friends or people I know on the page I’m like, ‘Oh that’s so cool, look at you!’”
Not everyone seems to agree however, as the account has also received negative feedback.
“It’s kind of weird that people are anonymously posting,” said Camila Oleaurre, a freshman nursing student. “A lot of the posts I see seem to be just jokes and seem like something that would happen in middle school or high school. I think it’s making some people uncomfortable that they are being posted there without consent.”
The account promises to keep the sender’s identity a secret and claims to delete previous conversations to secure privacy. They also allegedly ask people to filter their messages if found inappropriate and delete comments when necessary. If someone wishes to have their pictures removed they can also message the account, and they will do so.
But concerns still remain.
“I think there are positives and negatives, but quite honestly I think it does more damage than good,” said Student Association President Rhidge Garcia. “I personally think that it should be discontinued because of the negativity it can bring. I think its super funny, but I do see the potential of it getting a bit out of hand.”
The creators of the account said that they never meant to harm anyone nor defame the name of the university. They see their account as bringing “humor, unity and a lot of good emotions and feelings from everybody.”