Facebook info could land students in trouble with Judicial Affairs

By: Alexa Bonacquisti

Posted: 4/14/06

"Have I used Facebook since I've been here? No. But do I plan to? Yes," said Sheila Fleishman, director of Judicial Affairs.

Recently, students at several colleges have had disciplinary action taken against them because of the photographs that were posted. Others have been denied employment offers or had offers retracted because of questionable content listed on their profile. Institutions have expressed concerns that the personal information posted by students on this seemingly secure site might make them vulnerable to being stalked or harassed.

Fleishman was only appointed to her position two weeks ago; however, she is fully aware of Facebook and its relation to her job.

"I recognize Facebook as a tool, and in my department we have to be sensitive to and knowledgeable of its uses," Fleishman told The Triangle. "Pictures or information posted on Facebook that may contain pertinent information consistent with the facts of a particular incident may be used in our investigation."

She said that the University uses it in general and that University staff members do have Facebook accounts. A search conducted by The Triangle revealed that Fleishman does not have one yet. Several other staff members at the University, however, including Dean of Students David Ruth, Assistant Dean of Honors College Antonia McMenamin and Vice President of Enrollment Management Joan McDonald, do have active accounts.

Fleishman warns students to be cautious and careful of what they post online for all to see.

"We have an educational obligation as a student life program to present the negative side of Facebook," she said.

Fleishman held a comparable position at Rutgers University before coming to the University, but never used Facebook as part of her job there. She noted that Facebook and other similar Web sites are valuable tools, but they can pose issues for students, staff and employers.

Lauri Lenz, associate director of the Steinbright Career Development Center, told The Triangle that her department does not use Facebook in a negative way against students.

"We do have three or four people in our office registered for a variety of reasons," she said.

She explained that she recently set up an account to contact graduates so she could obtain feedback about their current jobs and any possible co-op connections they could provide. Lenz explained that in addition to contacting alumni, other staff members have set up Facebook accounts to see how and why students use the site.

Lenz did mention, however, that the SCDC has been learning from conferences that employers sometimes look at Facebook to gain a more complete picture of their prospective employee. Whether positive or negative, checking Facebook could ultimately provide another perspective for employers.

"Be careful about what you put online, because it could be jeopardizing," Lenz said.

Dean of Students David Ruth echoed Lenz's statements and explained some initiatives the University is planning.

"We have found that co-op employers are now using Facebook to make co-op hiring decisions, so we have formed a committee of staff members from Co-op, Student Life, and Public Safety to discuss ways to educate students about the use and implications of Facebook."