SFU’s emails and updates are a running joke among students and it’s not hard to see why. Our inboxes become flooded with useless emails every time the administration attempts to give us information. I choose my words carefully — SFU attempts to send us meaningful updates, but rarely succeeds. Their emails are a convoluted mess of unclear, vague words stamped with an official email signature to make them look important.
Their recent “what to expect for the spring term” update is filled with fluffy words that contain no real specifics. After stating self-declared vaccination rates, the email reads, “As we return to normal in-person teaching, research and engagement activities in the spring term we will foster rich, in-person connections with students.”
What does this tell me? Nothing. I might as well not have opened the email, because while I might infer we’re returning to a completely in-person semester (or are we still “transitioning?”), this simple statement is not written nearly as clearly as it should be. Instead, it’s dressed up with fancy words that obscure its true meaning. It doesn’t give me any specifics on what to do regarding COVID-19 breakouts, accessible learning, or any other of the myriad issues SFU has been plagued with this semester.
It’s honestly no wonder students have largely given up reading and opening these emails — they aren’t doing what a well-written email should do: communicate information effectively. Now, rather than anxiously opening the next email hoping it contains a sliver of useful information, I will peacefully allow my inbox to overflow, knowing I won’t be missing anything.
