Thursday, January 19, 2006»Page
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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
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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