Published on February 27, 2015 | by MacKenzie Thomson Photography by Meagan Dolmage
0GuHu grasping for attention
The Guelph-Humber lecture hall is buzzing with sounds of GuHu members setting up for the ‘Miss Representation’ screening that is to begin at 6:15 pm.
Looking at the clock and back at the almost empty auditorium, one can pose the question that since this event is so geared towards media students, why are they not the ones filling the empty seats?
With all the hard work that GuHu puts into their events, numbers are still low. Even with the upcoming executive elections for GuHu, not all of the positions will be filled due to little interest.
GuHu Media Society, which was created back in 2011, is comprised of three divisions – radio, television and public relations. GuHu’s mission statement on their website clearly outlines their dedication to bringing together media students from all streams “to work with and aid one another.”
Kirk Jennings, the president of GuHu media tell us that the society is giving media students this opportunity in many different ways,
“From videography to photography, GuHu is giving media students the opportunity to work with the equipment they wouldn’t normally get their hands on until third or fourth year,” said Jennings.
“GuHu gives students the means to produce media, as well as get a leg up on the competition in their Guelph-Humber careers.”
The focus on giving these tools to media students is evident, but the question still remains as to what members of GuHu are doing to get the society’s name out to the Guelph-Humber community and what they are doing to recruit more members.
Media student Catherine McCabe says that even after spending three years at Guelph-Humber, she still has very little knowledge about what GuHu has to offer.
“It’s been explained to me a little bit in the past, but I’ve never really seen the appeal to it,” said McCabe.
Jennings says that his team is always hard at work making sure Guelph-Humber students have all the information necessary to access the benefits of GuHu.
“We’re always advertising, making posters, posting on social media – we make sure we are well represented,” said Jennings.
GuHu’s Vice-President of Communications and Public Relations Meagan Dolmage, who runs all of the social media accounts for GuHu says that getting the word out can be a tricky if you’re not there to do it in person.
“GuHu just rebranded itself last year, and we like to do most of our promoting in person at Get Involved fairs. It can sometimes be difficult to do when members have other commitments outside of GuHu,” said Dolmage.
While GuHu is active and present on their social media account, a lot of the information on their website looks as though it has not been updated since 2012.
Regardless, the members themselves have nothing but positive things to say when it comes to the GuHu experience.
“I really like that GuHu incorporates hands on experience that you don’t get in the classroom. You really get a chance to see the sides of all streams.” Said Dolmage.
“And that’s enough,” she says, that the group helps students’ futures as media professionals and she hopes more media students get involved.
About the Author
MacKenzie Thomson MacKenzie is a third-year journalism student at Guelph-Humber. In her spare time she loves to Netflix-binge and eat burritos
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