'Toilet Talk' Was Newsletter to Be Read on the Can - Southern Vermont College Dorms

 

In a pre-smart phone era, SVC students caught up with campus news during their most vulnerable moments.

College students have always been busy, so the SVC Residence Life Department came up with an ingenious way to keep everyone up to date on campus happenings: posting a newsletter directly across from the toilet!

Toilet Talk dates back to the early 2000s, before the days of smartphones, tablets, and social media. Back then, a trip to the bathroom offered a rare moment free from digital distractions, making it the perfect opportunity for the Residence Director to share important news with students living on campus.

The topics reflected everyday life in the residence halls. One issue tackled the SVC fire extinguisher policy, while another outlined spring break housing guidelines. Students were also tempted with free food and phone cards if they volunteered for the annual Phone-a-thon. Whether it was reminders, campus policies, or upcoming events, Toilet Talk made sure students stayed informed—even in the most unexpected place.

Publications like Toilet Talk have largely disappeared in today's connected world, replaced by emails, text messages, and social media posts. Still, it's hard not to smile when looking back on those simpler days at the foot of Mt. Anthony, when life moved at a slower pace and the evening's biggest decision might just have been choosing between a Bud Light and a Busch.

Bennington, VT Mansion - Mount Anthony
by Fiedler_Mundt