Facebook stalkers
They're for real - and they're working for SJS. Am I the only one that finds this creepy? I was discussing this with friends tonight, and they weren't offended that we as GW students are held accountable to the University for things we do in pictures posted on facebook. I find it difficult to imagine that I'm alone on this, though.
Investigating students because of what they appear to be doing in a photo posted online is quite another thing. Legally, students put themselves at risk whenever they post anything online, just as anyone does. But does that low expectation of privacy extend to the University's surveillance as well? SJS is not, after all, a branch of the criminal justice system. There has never been any indication to me in University policies that I've read that I should expect such intrusions, nor has online conduct ever been clearly stated as within the jurisdiction of the University's disciplinary office.
Here's the problem - SJS is actually charged with a shocking degree of responsibility for students' actions, according to the mission statement (cached because their link is broken):
Detrimental, not illegal; that's a pretty broad conception of what SJS should be about. It would be easy for the overzealous staffer to read this and feel that they have some sort of duty to report every apparent infraction they see in students' facebook profiles. I suppose it may be a philosophical difference, but I don't think such overreaching is positive, as it only serves to increase distrust of SJS and its employees. Also, it seems like it teaches students the wrong lessons about privacy, namely that they should be content that they have none. A responsible policy would be to leave students alone for what may or may not be illegal behavior pictured on non-University web sites.
(Full disclosure: this all may just be selfishness speaking, of course, since my facebook profile depicts me in an illegal act.)
Investigating students because of what they appear to be doing in a photo posted online is quite another thing. Legally, students put themselves at risk whenever they post anything online, just as anyone does. But does that low expectation of privacy extend to the University's surveillance as well? SJS is not, after all, a branch of the criminal justice system. There has never been any indication to me in University policies that I've read that I should expect such intrusions, nor has online conduct ever been clearly stated as within the jurisdiction of the University's disciplinary office.
Here's the problem - SJS is actually charged with a shocking degree of responsibility for students' actions, according to the mission statement (cached because their link is broken):
Through its programs, services, and resources, SJS teaches and supports community standards and fosters positive relationships while holding students accountable for behavior detrimental to their academic, personal or social development; their peers; and the larger community.
Detrimental, not illegal; that's a pretty broad conception of what SJS should be about. It would be easy for the overzealous staffer to read this and feel that they have some sort of duty to report every apparent infraction they see in students' facebook profiles. I suppose it may be a philosophical difference, but I don't think such overreaching is positive, as it only serves to increase distrust of SJS and its employees. Also, it seems like it teaches students the wrong lessons about privacy, namely that they should be content that they have none. A responsible policy would be to leave students alone for what may or may not be illegal behavior pictured on non-University web sites.
(Full disclosure: this all may just be selfishness speaking, of course, since my facebook profile depicts me in an illegal act.)
posted by onlooker at 12:20 AM
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