Diversity University

Office of Orientation
Getting to Know you:

Facebook
Brian Clarke Jahquan Hawkins Robin Zazove

Victoria Zeter

What is Facebook ?
Facebook is advertised as an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools.

Our goal is to help students:

Discern when, where, and for what purposes is the use of this technology appropriate. Understand the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the technology. Address safety concerns and issues. Become aware of the consequences of indiscriminate use Teach use of built-in features such as security setting

Advantages
Establish social connections with students at your school and at institutions across the country Connect with like minded individuals, and individuals with similar interests Stay in contact with old friends

Disadvantages
Facebook and similar websites can become a major distracter from academics. There are limited hours in a day. Time spend online is time taken away from study, extracurricular activities, and other social interactions

Concerns

Students have the opportunity to isolate themselves from opinions and ideas that are challenging or make us uncomfortable. Students can isolate themselves from people who they feel they would rather not know. Students social skills may suffer. Individuals can avoid the discomfort of real-life social interactions

Security Risks
Use caution when posting personal information. Information of a personal nature can make students vulnerable to predators.

Risks
Students online disclosure of illegal activities, such as substance abuse, can be used if students come under investigation for related offenses. Potential employers may use facebook to discover information about students

Concerns

Encourages egocasting Student use stereotypes to describe themselves The information posted may be false and/or misleading Advertisers and marketers may gain the ability to tap into more information about individuals than they have ever had.

Potential Benefits

Student government can share information and keep students up to date on campus issues Student organizations can advertise and connect with among each other and with their members Increase faculty/ student interaction

Facebook: The Facts

Diversity University Orientation 2006

Basics

Facebook is an online social community for college students. Started in 2004 by students at Harvard University Currently used by more than 11.1 million students 9th most visited site on the internet. 250 million hits every day Used by 85%of students at more than 2,000 colleges

Basics

Only those with email address ending with .edu can register, including students, staff, faculty, campus police Facebook is NOT affiliated or operated by university officials Users can post photo and personal information like major, classes, interests, involvements, etc.

Facebook can be addictive!

Facebook can be as much of a tool as a distraction from classes and face to face interactions. 75% of students sign in at least once every 24 hours Average user logs in 6 times per day

Protecting Your Privacy

Read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy when creating an account to know your rights and responsibilities Send email to host instructing them not to share your information with third parties Browse the site to adjust privacy settings (ie who can view your profile, what information is public, etc) Do NOT post information that you do not want anybody to have access to.
Cell phone numbers Residence hall rooms/address Class schedules

What you choose to post is public information

Your profile is a social resume that can have both positive and negative effects. On-campus employers and offcampus employers can and do look at profiles when hiring student employees in some cases. Be cautious when posting pictures or information that involve illegal activities (ie underage drinking, parties, drugs, etc).

Be selective in your profile.

Although the 1st amendment allows you to post any information you choose, be aware of the consequences of the decision
Student conduct policies (ex. picture of keg in residence hall) Local laws Libel (written representation of person that is unfavorable) Defamation (to harm anothers reputation) Illegal activities (drug use, hate speech,

Facebook Tutorial Goals

Create awareness of what Facebook is. Identify what constitutes a good Facebook page. Highlight benefits to having a Facebook page. Identify behavior which is considered detrimental or undesirable while using Facebook. Create awareness of consequences for lewd behavior while using Facebook

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How long has The Facebook been in existence? A: 2 years. Facebook was created in February of 2004?

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How many users does The Facebook have worldwide? A: The Facebook has roughly 9.4 Million users worldwide

Facebook Tutorial

T/F There is a high school version of The Facebook? A: True; The high school version was launched in September 2005

Facebook Tutorial

Q: Can I sign up for The Facebook using my personal email account? A: Accounts can only be set up using an .edu email address

Facebook Tutorial

Q: Is The Facebook all fun and games? A: Facebook serves many practical purposes. The Facebook can be used as a website, a directory, an online community, an expression of self, a social calendar and an information network.

Facebook Tutorial

Q: Can anyone view my profile on The Facebook? A: If you do not designate, while setting up your privacy restrictions, who can see you in a search or who can see your profile, anyone on The Facebook can view your profile.

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How do old friends find me on The Facebook? A: A user can search for people they know and request to be their friend. Once the invitation is accepted, the new friend can then view your page.

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How often do college students utilize The Facebook? A: 65% of users log on daily; 85% log on at least once a week; 93% log on at least once a month.

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How aware are colleges/universities of The Facebook? A: Colleges and universities are very aware of The Facebook. Orientation Leaders and RAs are now hosting workshops on how to protect yourself on facebook. In addition, campuses have begun to use The Facebook in the discipline process, holding students accountable for lewd pictures, quotes and party RSVPs .

Facebook Tutorial

Q: So whats the big deal with The Facebook? A: Although The Facebook has many practical purposes, students sometimes misuse the network by;
Stalking/sexual assault Glorifying sex, drinking (often underage), and occasionally drugs Creating negative groups-one representing all

Facebook Tutorial

Q: Why are college administrators concerned about The Facebook? A: Its how students communicate, it takes up a lot of their time, facebook helps perpetuate stereotypes, it can be used as a tool to connect with students

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How are universities handling violations of the student code of conduct on The Facebook?

A: Universities are handling violations in different ways:

Banning access from the campus network Officially filing violations Creating special task forces to monitor facebook usage Random facebook searches

Facebook Tutorial

Q: How can student organizations positively use The Facebook? A: Organizations can use Facebook to:
Spread info about recruitment events Make announcements Share chapter information Raise internet safety awareness Gather information on potential new members Communicate with members and potential new members Contact classmates regarding study dates

Issues for Faculty and Staff

Profiles Students who view faculty/Staff profiles will create their perception of them from what they see It is addicting and could take them away your work Using Facebook in any way may cause risk to you and the university It may not be well received by other colleagues Becoming friends with the students may be unprofessional and inappropriate Using Facebook may expose you to evidence of students doing illegal acts Users of Facebook can post pictures up of you without your knowledge or consent The university does have the power to monitor what is posted on Facebook

Academic Issues

Utilizing a Facebook group as a discussion group for an academic class needs to be monitored by the owner of the group to ensure only comments are specific to the class are posted Postings to the message board can be seen by all Facebook users unless it is turned off by the owner Students may use Facebook as the only form of communication Using Facebook is a choice and is not mandatory to join as a member of the university Requiring all students to join a Facebook group for a class may be forcing them they dont have to or want to do Facebook is not university sponsored, so your actions on Facebook may not be endorsed or supported by the University Administration

What We Learned

Facebook is a communication tool that is used daily by a large number of students and faculty and staff could benefit from the ability to reach students quickly, unfortunately there are too many risks involved with using Facebook, and they outweigh the rewards. Facebook can be a useful way to stay in touch with friends and meet new people in a time when technology is such a popular means of communication. I did not know much about Facebook until this project. I was not aware of how students used it and how frequently they do so. I now realize how widespread its use is, and given the shear amount of time and energy that students devote to it, it is bound to affect their lives in some way. Whether positively or negatively, this remains to be seen.