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Syracuse University students and staff open their computers to showcase an eye-catching mosaic of stickers. While they may be focused on what’s on their screen, the other side commonly has a story.

From a Hendricks Chapel “be kind.” sticker to one bearing Woody Guthrie’s classic message “THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS” (made popular among Gen Z because of author and YouTuber John Green), stickers of all varieties represent the identities of the owners that “stuck ‘em.”

Sophomore Carter Moreland’s laptop is layered with stickers from front to back, a feat he’s been working on since he first purchased the laptop over eight years ago. A few stickers from brands he frequently shops from, like Apple and In-N-Out, litter the rectangular space alongside his SU-related stickers. Others have no relevance to him at all, and are just “miscellaneous.”

His favorite sticker is one he got upon admission to the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, an achievement he considers a major step in his life.

While some of his stickers have faded over time, others are brand new. One reads “Standard Meat,” which stands out to Moreland because it’s a conversation starter. Although he initially got the sticker from a family friend who owns the meat distribution company, he said people often ask about its origins.

Even SU professors have decorated their computers. When students sit down in Seth Gitner’s classes, they often come face to face with five stickers plastered on the associate professor’s laptop case.

There’s a few promotional stickers from Syracuse University, one of SU’s iconic mascot Otto the Orange and a National Press Photographers Association sticker. What really jumps out, though, is a comedic, yet stern reminder to his students: “Everything I say will be on the exam.”

“You know, my colleagues are like, ‘Where can I get that one?’” Gitner said.

Apart from sparking dialogue, Moreland, a political science major, said that a person’s laptop stickers speak volumes about the things they’re interested in. Most people have at least one or two stickers showing off a point of view, slogan or an organization, he said.

Gitner also pointed to the conversational nature of students’ stickers. He likened a computer sticker to the college equivalent of a framed picture hanging inside someone’s home.

“I feel like when someone has a sticker on their computer, I’m already finding out what they like, what they do,” Gitner said. “It just helps me to build a relationship with whoever I’m talking to, student or whoever.”

As an associate professor in the Departments of Magazine, News and Digital Journalism and Visual Communications, Gitner is always encouraging his students to build a rapport with their story sources. Laptop stickers, no matter how meaningless they might seem, provide an outlet for students to do this.

Although not a journalism student, freshman Gabriel Blanco recalled a time when his sticker from the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, which he’s on as a potential bone marrow donor, gave rise to a funny conversation with a friend. The sticker reads “Will you marrow me?” circled by hearts.

Blanco’s laptop, which he bought just before coming to campus, also showcases his journey since arriving on campus in August.

Starting with Halloween stickers and moving counterclockwise from the bottom-right corner of his laptop, Blanco’s stickers track other calendar holidays, like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Interspersed between the holidays are decals from SU events, and even a Minecraft wolf.

“I really see a timeline with it,” Blanco said. “It’s just really cool to see it grow throughout my time here.”

Since coming to campus, Blanco has been collecting stickers from various places, like organizations tabling in Schine Student Center or places he’d like to visit, such as Mount Everest. He rarely turns down a free sticker, bringing most of them home to his dorm.

“If I see someone is handing out stickers, I’ll just take one and save it for later,” Blanco said. “They’re literally everywhere.”

One of Blanco’s favorite stickers is a turtle that says “Oceanholic,” which displays his love for nature and animals. Other stickers portray scenes of mountains or encouraging messages like “You can do it!” and “Life is good.”

Because Blanco’s computer is so representative of his interests and experiences, he feels as though he can gauge similar things from others.

“My laptop says a lot about me and, because of that, I can know a lot about somebody else based on what they have on theirs,” Blanco said.

Regardless of major or school, laptop stickers remain a staple form of expression for SU’s community. Less conventional than clothing but just as expressive, these decals send messages big and small. As long as laptops remain a ubiquitous part of college life, they’ll stick around.

“I’m growing, you know? I’m like, ‘Oh, now this represents me,’” Gitner said.

Published on April 3, 2025 at 2:15 am
Contact Spencer: sphoward@syr.edu