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So I’ve recently been introduced to the concept of LipDubs, when a group of friends invited me to participate in one (unfortunately I was unable to take part due to conflicts).
In order to prepare, though, my friends pointed me to a sample video to give an idea of what would be involved. Being the librarian that I am, one example just wouldn’t do and I had to find others for a good sample.
What I did notice is that these libdubs have taken on a meme-like nature for college and university campuses as a means of showing school spirit!
What’s particularly inspiring about this is that it’s radically different from the school spirit that we’re so used to. Sure, there have been pep rallies and screaming and cheering at school events; the things we think of when we think ‘school spirit’. These things are still here of course, and heck, they’re even featured in some of the videos out there in some part.
Think about this though. These lipdubs are showing a wide cross section of the student population on the campuses. Whether they be in athletics, fraternities/sororities or lone students joining the fun. They showcase parts of the campus that you don’t usually get to see in the brochures (though some of those show up too). Not to mention, a lot of them integrate a showing of things that would be impossible to seamlessly integrate in the normal libdub fashion (for example, different campus event footage). AND! Pretty much everyone looks like they’re having a great time doing it.
What a fantastic way to showcase the creativity and talent of a campus. I personally don’t know if any of these have been initiated by administration or (as I suspect is the case) are student initiated projects, but if students come to you wanting to put together something like this, I know I would be 100% behind them, and I hope you would be too.
One thing that that may become an issue with libdubs for college campuses is where songs glorify sex, drugs, drinking etc and the school may not want to promote these things by endorsing a libdub where the song or actions of the students in the video aren’t exactly in lines with these (see the UQAM video below). However, if students are to be successful, especially with more elaborate setups (like the ones involving, helicopters maybe??) Administrative support is essential. And what better way to get prospective students excited about your institution?
Here are some great examples of College and University libdubs for you.
University of British Columbia – Particularly notable in that this is the most extensive lipdub I’ve seen so far. It definitely goes places that I haven’t seen others go.
Hochschule Furtwangen University (Germany)
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Boston University – an example of a less ‘scandalous’ song selection and actions in the video.
Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego (KUL)
CC Image courtesy of thelastminute on Flickr
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This year’s WTD revolves around investing in teachers during this time of economic disparity.
