It’s crunch time for Buffalo’s students, who would all probably appreciate an encouraging word while taking exams and wrapping up final projects for the semester.

Maybe that’s why “compliments” Facebook accounts, to which anonymous compliments and kudos are posted, are flourishing at area universities.

Just two days since its creation, Canisius Compliments has amassed nearly 500 “friends.” No particular person or group is identified as the account’s moderator. UB Compliments, which posted first on Dec. 6, is up to more than 800 “friends.”

The accounts are based on a social experiment started by Queens University, according to both Facebook pages’ about sections. That social experiment inspired other colleges and universities to adopt the model. 

The concept is simple: Members of the respect colleges’ communities message the appropriate account with a “compliment or message of gratitude” on Facebook, and the moderator will post it anonymously to the page’s wall, according to instructions on the Canisius account’s page.

“So if there is something nice you have to say about someone but don’t feel comfortable saying it to that person’s face, inbox away,” the page’s description reads.

Know of other nearby colleges or universities participating in this social experiment? Share the links in the comments section below.