Thursday, January 19, 2006»Page r-.S*' 'ifc;.'^;' r*tiff’ stvr,^ , '' !» friends postings on Facebook like Webshots. logging on anymore, ebook has turned into a iustrators, not just a to !he Internet is a public ^ lose privacy rights to |e online. purees of information be (Its? i so. At North Carolina, ^re written up for drink- pms after the resident [1 photos on Facebook. tifan open forum with i^ted a stir around cam- i| of California, Santa ^ isidential officials pub- lat on-campus students f photos online. *ivices over s^around the | iauncheci | 'opi site. J jTation recognizes that ^'book are available, but j,jn most cases they not consis- e n t 1 y looking for violations of school policy. Residence Life Jerrid Freeman, Elon’s associate director of residence life operations and information management, said that Residence Life is aware of Facebook, but doesn’t use it as a judicial tool. “We know it’s out there, but we aren’t gomg to sit on the computer all day and look for it,” Freeman said. He said that he and Niki Turley, director of residence life, are registered on Facebook. “There’s been a couple of times when we In a 24-hour time ^ period, Facebook 300 milHon page views. have heard of big parties and talked to the area directors about it,” Freeman said. He has also told his staff members to be careful about what they post. At anotiier school, RAs were fired after they jomed a Facebook group that was created to vulgarly write about a Residence Life administrator. Currendy, Freeman uses Facebook not as a judicial device, but rather as a conversation tool. The staff is attending a National Housing Conference in February and there is a Facebook presentation. “I don’t think (students) know how many people are looking,” Freeman said. “We remain a little aloof with the issue and hope students don’t haphazardly do things that would put them at safety’s risk.” Greek Life Greek Life also uses Facebook as a second ary source of information when sororities and fraternities engage in questionable behavior. “For a judicial situation, such as for an unregistered event we wouldn’t go looking for it (photos) but if someone were to give it to us.. .we’re not, not going to use it,” Melissa Komasz, assistant director of Greek Life said. ' Facebook is also affect ing recruitment. “A lot of freshmen are on Facebook as soon as they get an e-mail address,” Komasz said. ‘ They are looking at what people do inside and outside of Greek Life before they are even at school.” “Pi Chis,” the nickname for recruitment counselors, were allowed to keep their Facebook profiles, but had to restrict viewing to their fiiends and leave any groups that could hint at their affiliation. Greek students can also find out more about potential new members without ever meeting them from photos, profiles and messages from friends. “You don’t want all your fiin pictures out there, you want pictures that show what you are 90 percent of the time,” Komasz said. Athletics The Athletics department does not regular ly log on, but after hearing other schools that are actively pursuing Facebook, Barbara Boyette, assistant athletics director, director of Academic Progress and Life Skills Development sent out an e-mail that told stu- dent-athletes to be cautious about what they post on the Internet. “It’s the profile, it’s the stuff that you put out there, it’s public domain...and you’re a representative of the Elon Athletics depart ment,” Boyette said. According to Clay Hassard, senior associ ate director of Athletics for Administration, Compliance and Campus Relations, neither the NCAA nor the Southem Conference has issued statements about online information. There is no policy within the Elon Athletics department, but Hassard said, “We encourage our student-athletes to be very cautious..” /^cehook traffic on the entii^ web/1 I one spot behind ] The Wall curiosity obsession Judicial affairs A school-wide committee is currently exploring the ethics and responsibihties with in technology. “Safety is our biggest con- cem,” Jana Lynn Paterson, associate dean of students siad. “We have people that monitor Web sites.. .but we let students have their pri vacy.” Anything that had to do with threats or harassment, as well as Elon logo misuse would definitely be investigated. Though Chuck Gantos, director of Campus Safety and. Police, could not specify exactly how the police conduct investigations, he did comment that online resources could be used. “It’s not just Facebook, but also Ebay,” Gantos said. “Ebay can be helpful to track down stolen items.” As with every new technology, it is yet to be seen what the real consequences could be as students post their private information in this public forum. Corttact Krista NaposM at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247 profiles change If you profes sors dr employers use facebook? ' , 'j Carroll Martin (Bon) said at 1:10pm December 9th, 2006 "I wouldn't change much. I don't like how people can put pictures without you knowing it, though " Message Christopher Woods (Elon) said at 1:05pm December 9th, 2006 "I would change some of the groups I am in and anything inap propriate on my wall." Message Marisa Pinero (Elon) said at 12:15pm December 9th, 2006 "I wouldn't change my profile, but if people put pictures of me, I would detab them." Message Chsivanne Hubbafrd at 12:10pm Decen^er 9th, 2006 "I would take out any posts on my V wall. I don't like the fact that any one can go on Facebook." Message Pave Carrithers (Elon) said at 9:36pm December 6th, 2006 "I would take out the thing about my flabby butt, that's about it." Message Phillip Sholes (Elon) said at 8;20pm December 6th, 2006 "I already blocked faculty and staff because I heard a rumor that they were busting people." Message