Now that we are in 2013, you might be surprised to learn what stories were the most popular over the last 12 months on Union's news site.
The usual ones are included, such as Commencement and applications record.
But an analysis of web analytics found that a study led by Joshua Hart, assistant professor of psychology, suggesting that men’s insecurities about relationships and conflicted views of women as romantic partners and rivals could lead some to adopt sexist attitudes about women, got the most unique page views last year.
The study, which was published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, a peer-reviewed journal, was picked up by a number of national and international media outlets. But the story wasn't posted on Union's site until Dec. 20, a relatively slow news period when few people are on campus to read it.
One explanation as to why it was so popular, with nearly 2,000 more page views than the next most read story, was because it was shared on Reddit, a popular social bookmarking site, by a user who questioned the interpretation of some of the study's findings. The posting prompted a lengthy debate, with commenters taking sides.
The next most popular story was from February, about applications to Union reaching an all-time high, followed by Commencement, which featured Dylan Ratigan '94. The former talk show landed two spots in the top 10, as the story announcing he would be the Commencement speaker was the fifth most popular story of the year.
Union's award-winning news homepage garnered 58,000 unique page views last year, making it one of the College's most popular web pages.
The top 10 most viewed stories of 2012:
1. Delusions of gender: Men's insecurities may lead to sexist views of women
2. Applications to Union reach an all-time high
3. Ratigan to graduates: 'Lead us into the renaissance'
4. Updates on Hurricane Sandy
5. Talk show host Dylan Ratigan '94 to deliver Commencement address
6. Union to build new wellness center
7. Meet the 2012 Minerva Fellows
8. Insta-star: Union student a big hit on social media
9. Brain power: "Exergames" heighten health benefits for seniors, study by Union professor finds
10. Top engineer calls integration of liberal arts and engineering essential