2008 Woodie Awards
Privacy on Facebook
Your profile may be more public than you think
Lillie, Jessica
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: News
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Recently, universities across the country have been cracking down on those using profile-creating Web pages, such as Myspace and Facebook. Universities have been using these Web sites as a means of preventing underage drinking and other behaviors against school policy. Currently, several other private schools in the state of Wisconsin use Facebook for exactly this purpose.
Word has gotten around that employers of all kinds are using Facebook to screen prospective employees, especially for very competitive jobs where placement is tough.
Lakeland staff has already discussed the use of Facebook for disciplinary action at Lakeland.
"We've made a real effort not to use Facebook," said Jim Bajczyk, director of residence life. "We want the site to be there mainly to build community between students."
However, at times, Lakeland staff uses Facebook for other purposes. When fights occur or disruptions take place between students and the staff hears unclear stories, they may turn to Facebook to find the truth.
Although the school does not want to use Facebook to 'catch' people acting against school policy, Bajczyk said they might use Facebook for other disciplinary reasons.
"We may use it with the RA's," said Bajczyk. "The RA's are role models, and if they're underage or they're of age and drinking with minors, they could be held accountable." RA's are informed of the possibility of this happening before they take up the position.
"We just don't have the time or the manpower to use Facebook," said Carl Constable, head of security. "We're not aggressively addressing Facebook as a means to addressing violations."
However, if the school hears something specific that is possibly life threatening or illegal, they may use Facebook as a means of shedding light on certain situations, and even evidence if it is a serious crime.
"But it's too unreliable a source. I would say no to using it," continued Constable.
Do other schools use this tactic for violation purposes? Constable said "It's a call other schools have to make. We deal with different students here. Our crime rates are much lower."
Word has gotten around that employers of all kinds are using Facebook to screen prospective employees, especially for very competitive jobs where placement is tough.
Lakeland staff has already discussed the use of Facebook for disciplinary action at Lakeland.
"We've made a real effort not to use Facebook," said Jim Bajczyk, director of residence life. "We want the site to be there mainly to build community between students."
However, at times, Lakeland staff uses Facebook for other purposes. When fights occur or disruptions take place between students and the staff hears unclear stories, they may turn to Facebook to find the truth.
Although the school does not want to use Facebook to 'catch' people acting against school policy, Bajczyk said they might use Facebook for other disciplinary reasons.
"We may use it with the RA's," said Bajczyk. "The RA's are role models, and if they're underage or they're of age and drinking with minors, they could be held accountable." RA's are informed of the possibility of this happening before they take up the position.
"We just don't have the time or the manpower to use Facebook," said Carl Constable, head of security. "We're not aggressively addressing Facebook as a means to addressing violations."
However, if the school hears something specific that is possibly life threatening or illegal, they may use Facebook as a means of shedding light on certain situations, and even evidence if it is a serious crime.
"But it's too unreliable a source. I would say no to using it," continued Constable.
Do other schools use this tactic for violation purposes? Constable said "It's a call other schools have to make. We deal with different students here. Our crime rates are much lower."
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