Elder Jeffrey R.Holland’s address on August 23 continues to generate a tense environment both online and in public here at BYU. Many upset individuals say the controversy casts a shadow over the first week back into a traditional fall semester. But when you think about it- is there anything more traditional than BYU shooting themselves in the foot with negative PR? As in an actual arrow forged from the very flames of public relations hell itself? 

Causing negative PR seems to be our most celebrated tradition. And with a $10/hour salary, no one parties harder than the BYU social media team. But all the drama in the last year has taken quite the toll on these employees. 

“Yeah, some days are hard,” admits social media intern Katie Reber. “I wish I didn’t have to go to therapy over a little blue bird, but I love my job. And I know this will all be worth it once I graduate with my degree in communications.”

“You could say I would rather dismantle a bomb than open Twitter, but I guess that’s just part of the gig when you agree to join a fast-paced work environment,” says another social media intern, Austin Holmes.

Both Reber and Holmes worry they will not survive the next inevitable digital lashing for BYU before they can graduate in 2022.

“After the rainbow Y controversy, we’ve installed a panic button that’s been extremely helpful,” explained Reber. “I mean… all it does is turn off the comments on our posts… but man does that do wonders.”