Facebook profiles: be careful what you post
Megan Ward
Issue date: 10/26/05 Section: News
Watkins could not comment on student judicial matters or specific incidents regarding the Facebook. "What I can tell you is that there is no intent on the University's part to monitor Facebook. However, if a complaint is brought to a student judicial body or officer of the University-just like with any issue-the judicial body or university officer has an obligation to follow up on a complaint," said Watkins.
Some student leadership committees have made it a point to scrub their Facebook profiles of inappropriate references. Although there isn't any kind of set policy, head dorm counselor Ligia Abreu encourages dorm counselors and residential advisors not to post anything they wouldn't want their professors to see. "I'd hope they'd know better," said Abreu.
Abreu said that a few freshmen did "get in trouble" for posting things on Facebook, such as pictures of drinking in the dorms. Watkins did not confirm the allegation.
Student Judicial Committee President Josh Broome hasn't heard anything about pictures of drinking in the dorms, and he doesn't know if anything posted on Facebook could ever be reviewed by the SJC because there is no precedent. Broome said he thinks there is a difference between catching someone in the act and seeing an incriminating picture. "I would be shocked," said Broome in reference to the SJC issuing violations to students because of information posted on Facebook.
In regards to stalking or criminal privacy issues with the Facebook, Watkins said there have not been any at W&L. Her concern lies with students not thinking about what they say.
"While it may be funny in a college context, things are being said you wouldn't necessarily want a future employer to know," said Watkins. "I have talked with alums who learn things of our students through Facebook--these are the same alums who are later in a position of hiring our students. My advice, think about what you say."
Some student leadership committees have made it a point to scrub their Facebook profiles of inappropriate references. Although there isn't any kind of set policy, head dorm counselor Ligia Abreu encourages dorm counselors and residential advisors not to post anything they wouldn't want their professors to see. "I'd hope they'd know better," said Abreu.
Abreu said that a few freshmen did "get in trouble" for posting things on Facebook, such as pictures of drinking in the dorms. Watkins did not confirm the allegation.
Student Judicial Committee President Josh Broome hasn't heard anything about pictures of drinking in the dorms, and he doesn't know if anything posted on Facebook could ever be reviewed by the SJC because there is no precedent. Broome said he thinks there is a difference between catching someone in the act and seeing an incriminating picture. "I would be shocked," said Broome in reference to the SJC issuing violations to students because of information posted on Facebook.
In regards to stalking or criminal privacy issues with the Facebook, Watkins said there have not been any at W&L. Her concern lies with students not thinking about what they say.
"While it may be funny in a college context, things are being said you wouldn't necessarily want a future employer to know," said Watkins. "I have talked with alums who learn things of our students through Facebook--these are the same alums who are later in a position of hiring our students. My advice, think about what you say."