Chris Hughes, spokesman for Facebook, stated “In general, faculty and administrators are able to consider Facebook a forum of expression for their students, and they are legally able to regulate their behavior or use that information to make decisions. It's certainly not what we designed Facebook to be used for, but there's not much we can do about it.” Students weighed in about administrator’s rights to take action against students. “F*ck No”, Josh Manley, a math major at SUNY Potsdam said. Potsdam student Christine Larsen stated, “No because Facebook is not strictly SUNY Potsdam. It is a place where college students can express themselves without persecution or fear of being reprimanded.” Student Olivia McIlravy-Ackert agrees, “I started the group on Facebook because a friend of mine was told to take down a group they had created. I wanted students to know that it was still ok to speak their minds on Facebook and that they don't have to give up their freedom of speech. Facebook is a place for students to connect to one another, and just be themselves. Of course, students should pick and choose how much they want to share and put on Facebook. But, they shouldn't feel restricted or pressured by faculty and staff members to not say. One of the questions Chip Morris asks when researching material on Facebook is whether or not the material identifies demeans or ridicules an identifiable member of the community. Campus administrators do not peruse Facebook looking to identify and charge students for violations. But this is also not to rule out creation of an account by the administrators and coming across pictures or other evidence that may do so. Much in the vain of the FCC, campus administrators may not act unless a complaint is brought to them. And much like in cases dealing with the FCC, context is key. A Facebook group such as “I hate Hippies” is acceptable. A Facebook group named “I hate Kevin Pettograsso because he’s a dirty whore” is not acceptable. Photos in your profile or group showing you violating campus policy, regardless of whether or not you posted the photographs may also lead to charges being brought against you. Students should also look out for language that may constitute harassment such as consistent verbal abuse towards another student in your profile. The use of a campus email address to access Facebook, a concern of the University of New Mexico and other institutions, also makes you responsible for any violations committed of the acceptable use policy. Pictures of underage drinking and drug usage also constitute violations of other campus policies as well as state and federal law.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Aaman
What's the difference between facebook and yahoo, or AIM?
Further, are college students so stupid as to not realize that everything is public in this new,hyper-real world? Privacy is so 20th-century:)
2 - -E
Facebook isn't an instant messaging service. It is much more like a bbs where the conversation can be somewhat real time, but through "private messages." You create a profile with as much or as little info about yourself as you like (some simply put their city of residence, others put their address and phone number). It is like Friendster or Myspace, only a bit more exclusive in that it is for students or alumni and not just anyone.
3 - anonymous
This is a very informative artical. I think it should be shown to everyone of FB. I have countless friends with wasted pictures at parties and whatnot...