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Diversity College. Online Issues Affecting Students. Jasmine H. Buxton Jasmine P. Clay Lauren A. Teso Indiana State University. Task Force Members. 2 professional Residence Life staff members Assistant Director of Information Technology Campus Police Officer 2 student Orientation Leaders.
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Diversity College Online Issues Affecting Students Jasmine H. Buxton Jasmine P. Clay Lauren A. Teso Indiana State University
Task Force Members • 2 professional Residence Life staff members • Assistant Director of Information Technology • Campus Police Officer • 2 student Orientation Leaders
Task Force Objectives • Develop and Implement a session on online issues to present during new student orientation • Identify topics for an online Facebook.com “tutorial” for students to complete before accessing the school’s computers • Present mock-up to the Dean of Student Life and all Director’s within the Student Life Division
What’s facebook.com “Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools.” Launch date: Wednesday, February 4, 2004 Retrieved from http://www.facebook.com/about.php
Facebook.com Overview • Available at more than 2,600 schools nationwide • 9.4 million users nationwide • Must have a valid school email address to register • Users can post a variety of information on their pages from cell phone numbers, home and school addresses, class schedule, etc on their page • Ability to join interest groups • Post messages on the “walls” of others
Why use Facebook.com • Stay connected with friends at other schools • Connect with members from other schools • Send messages to other members • Form safe interest groups on lifestyle or concerns • Post and look at pictures • Everyone else is on it • Attention/Popularity
Regulations • Do not harm or intimate others • Presenting obscene material is prohibited • No misrepresentation of self • Use of another person’s account to access the system without permission is prohibited
Issues Associated with Facebook • Harassment • Stalking • Unwanted attention • University personnel/Campus Police have access to the site • Appropriateness of pictures and comments
Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is any conduct, physical or verbal, that is sexual in nature and which has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s or group’s educational or work performance or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive educational or work environment.
According to Facebook “You are solely responsible for our interactions with other Facebook Members.” Despite rules, sexually explicit pictures and other offensive material still exist.
The Office of Information Technology at Diversity College strives to provide adequate and innovative technology to all on-campus users. In the Student Handbook, which each first year student receives, Section VII states all on-campus computing policies. Information Technology
Freedom of Expression Diversity College respects all students’ freedom of expression; however, if at anytime freedom of expression endangers another student either physically or verbally, Diversity College will take action if deemed necessary. Freedom of expression includes but is not limited to interaction through personal interaction, flyers and online services.
Purpose of Online Tutorial • Ensure student understanding of computing policies • Ensure student understanding of consequences associated with violating policies • Address recent issues on campus and attempt to help avoid these problems in the future
Tutorial Content • Student and Staff Input • Visited website to obtain a better understanding • Address major issues associated with the site • Address common misconceptions of similar on-line sites
Email Issues Student’s gain access to facebook.com through their school e-mail account. Student’s must first remember that school e-mail accounts are a privilege, not a right.
Sample Questions How does campus policy define sexual harassment? A. Any physical advance that is sexual in nature B. Any conduct physical or verbal that is sexual in nature C. The act of physically violating another person
Sample Questions What is one way the Office of Information Technology warns students to protect themselves against harassment? A. Not providing too much personal information on public profiles B. Not talking to anyone they don’t know online C. Not posting any information about themselves
Sample Questions Facebook.com messages can be seen as harassment if the context is reason to support the accusation. A. True B. False
Tutorial Questions Other tutorial questions will address: ~ stalking ~ appropriateness of pictures ~ using other members accounts without permission ~ freedom of speech and expression
Measuring Success • Monitoring group membership on sites • Monitoring complaints/issues associated with the websites • Providing incentives for student survey participation, every semester • Creative programming on online issues
Faculty/Staff Issues • Be cautious of the content on student’s pages in which they are associated • Be cautious with the information they put on their pages • Remember that you are a role-model • Beware of the image that you are portraying to your students
What the committee learned • Students share a lot of valuable information on the internet • Students may not aware of the consequences of their actions • Despite warnings, inappropriate information will be posted • It is our responsibility as educator outside the classroom to help student understand the changing world
References http://dawgnetnews.com/archive/060129/3462.html http://www.villanovan.com/media/paper581/news/2005/11/18/verge/facing.the.facts.about.facebook-1108785.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.villanovan.com http://facebook.com http://chimprawk.blogspot.com/2006/01/student-life-on-facebook.html http://www.indstate.edu/humres/affactdiversity/documents/ISUPolicy%5B1%5D.sexHarass.doc