 |
|
|
| 
|
 I sometimes check Facebook or MySpace for students that I am concerned about. Students have the ability to make this information private, yet they voluntarily disclose information about themselves to the public when they don't make their pages private—it's fair game. This information can often give me some insight into what's going on in their lives and their academic progress. In some situations, information from these sites has enabled me to find the necessary interventions that they need. In one recent case, viewing Facebook alerted me to a potential suicide risk. I worked with the student, his residence hall staff, and other professionals to get him the necessary help. You can never be sure, but in this case, Facebook may have saved his life. Often students feel shame, guilt, or are too depressed to initiate conversations about certain issues (alcohol and drug use, depression, sexuality, abuse, etc.). I often find students receptive to discussing these issues. Often they seem relieved to find someone to discuss issues that they are struggling with. If viewed with respect and discretion, Web sites like these can be useful advising tools. However, caution is necessary when viewing sites because information may or may not be true, or sometimes students will reveal information or put up false information about someone else without their knowledge. I do not report infractions without consulting with the student first.~ Mark A. Bellcourt, University of Minnesota, January 2, 2008 I do check Facebook to get a handle on my advisees. I also check it when students come to my office for exceptions to policies (due to being unable to meet deadlines). While students complain, loudly, that this invades their privacy, I suggest that if they want privacy, they should make their Facebook information private—but do not provide instructions about how to do so. The sooner our students learn that these social networking programs impact their lives, the better.Rather than report Jared for anything on his Facebook page, I would refer the relevant office to the Facebook pages so that they can make a choice about looking at it and then another choice about acting on it. Some departments have policy about this. Some people believe that they don't want to have to check one more thing on a regular basis and that it must be done across the board or not at all. I would discuss Jared's Facebook comments with him during our next advising session. It could be the very thing he needs to mature, to become educated and develop empathy and tolerance of others—developmental and a little intrusive advising is called for here—in my humble opinion. ~ JoAnn M. Schrass, University of Mary Washington, January 2, 2008 Should you have looked at your advisee's profile?In my opinion, it's out there and if he didn't set up privacy restrictions on it then there is not an issue of whether or not I should have. Companies, internships, and scholarships are now looking at these types of venues, and I feel that since this has the potential to impact his professional and academic career, then as his adviser I should be looking at his Facebook. When bringing it up with him, I would comment on the initial reason that I looked him up on Facebook (concern for his grades and that I care about him based on our developing professional relationship.) Now that you have, are your obligated to report him for apparent conduct violations? This question is a balance of establishing trust and deciding what is the primary goal. In my current position, I don't feel that my role is as “enforcer.” My primary goal is for the growth and development of the student (both in and out of the classroom). It's a matter of maintaining the student's trust to ensure the ongoing development of a professional relationship. Neither would I let my observation go without comment. I would make mention of the photos and posting at our next meeting in the context of a “teachable moment.” That being said, and in the context of April 16 at Virginia Tech, I can imagine disturbing content that would cause me to act and report disturbing behavior to the appropriate office. How will you relate to Jared the next time you meet with him, given his hateful remarks? His comments would certainly impact our relationship. Regarding the hateful remarks, I would need to think through how to phrase my comments to him, keeping my reactionary emotions at bay, while expressing how his statements impacted me personally and how it has impacted our working relationship. If I started acting aloof or avoiding him without saying anything, Jared may very likely not know why I've changed my behavior and an opportunity for growth would be lost. Depending on the comments and the level of threat they may indicate, I may first seek out a psychological counselor. I currently have several student “friends” on Facebook. My rule of thumb is if they ask me and I know them, I'll accept their offer (after reviewing their page). I don't invade and ask them to be my friend. My general observation is that my presence on their friend list makes them more aware of how they portray themselves. In many instances it has made me aware of constructive ways they spend their time (volunteer organizations) and their passions (environmental concerns, cancer, AIDS, etc.). I also feel that my Facebook should serve as a model of appropriate use of Facebook and content. ~ Christina McIntyre, Virginia Tech, January 3, 2008 My response to Jared is to get him into my office, under any necessary pretense. Once there, I show him the site, and tell him the following:
~ Jeffrey Heim, Pennsylvania State University Park, January 8, 2008 The key factor in how I'd proceed is the quality of the relationship I've established with Jared. If the quality is high, then I'd use constructive confrontation and have him elaborate on the conflict between his academic goals and his violation of university policies. This could have the effect of reconnecting with his academic vision (what he hopes will happen for him as a result of attending our institution), greater insight into pressures he is experiencing, and greater commitment to behaviors he can implement to help him deal with pressures or other circumstances. He may even recognize what role his Internet persona plays within his life.If we have a poor or inadequate relationship, then virtually anything I say or do is likely to be experienced defensively by Jared, disregarded or dismissed as something “not to worry about.” He may also learn to hide his persona or go underground with it, reducing even further whatever opportunity I might have to help. ~ Rey Carr, Peer Resources, January 22, 2008 The Mentor is published by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies Available online at www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/ Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright | © The Pennsylvania State University | All rights reserved | |
