Facebook — Connecting students and faculty
by Sami Jo Freeman, posted April 17, 2009
It seems like every time college students launch their Web browser, they go straight to one of two things: Facebook or Mizzou Webmail. Facebook has become a staple in many students’ daily activities, but the surprising trend is that a large number of university faculty and staff are now joining the popular social networking site.
“I joined Facebook so I could network with other students and faculty at universities across the nation,” said Anna Ball, director of Undergraduate Studies for the Agricultural Education department.
Amy Smith, an agricultural education instructor, explains why many in the Agricultural Education department have joined Facebook.
“In the Agricultural Education profession, there are many faculty members across the country in the Facebook network,” Smith said. “It is nice to be able to stay in touch with them — and see what they are up to, so from that aspect, Facebook is nice.”
It is no secret that in the past few years, Facebook has spread from a primarily youth-dominated site to the older generations.
“I joined to simply keep in touch with former students, but have since found high school friends I have not talked to for over fifteen years and I can keep up with my 80 year old grandma and my parents,” said Becki Lawver, an agricultural education PhD student.
Professors across the university are also encouraging their students to add them to their friend list on Facebook. Steven Keller, associate professor of chemistry, first joined Facebook to put faces with student’s names. Keller, like many others, will never send a friend request; it is up to the students to add the professors. However, he has found that he can incorporate the tools on Facebook in an educational fashion.
“I make a group for my classes every semester,” Keller said. “I post interesting articles. I also like being able to get really fast feedback from students on something that I post on blackboard, or something that I did in class that day. I usually log on once a day. When I am at my desk, and it’s open, students can ask quick questions on chat and they can get answers right away.”
Nevertheless, students throughout the university have great concern about professors not only signing up for a Facebook account, but also adding them as friends.
“I believe it touches the line of allowing students to keep their personal and professional lives separate,” said Cheryl Ficken, a junior agricultural education undergraduate. “Many times I feel awkward having a professor as a friend. Facebook sustains relationships, but it does not create or build them.”
Professors are very aware of this concern, however, and recognize the boundaries that should remain between students and faculty.
“Perhaps it is okay to maintain relationships with students, provided you don’t cross the professional line,” Ball said. “The problem is, Facebook is the students’ social network, and while it’s OK for us to be on it, I’m not sure how much we can truly socially network with our students without crossing that line, and creeping them out.”
Perhaps students feel that they should be able to have their personal and professional lives separated, but even if Facebook is seen as a personal site, the content that student’s feel they should be able to post there, may not be appropriate.
“The content on some people’s Facebook profile does surprise me,” said Shane Kinne, a sophomore agricultural education sophomore. “I think people tend to be very naïve about the perceptions that others can build because of your Facebook content. Also, I think that as college students, we should already consider ourselves as professionals, and how we represent ourselves on sites such as Facebook, carries into our everyday life.”
Interim Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Bryan Garton, also warns students about the information that they post to their Facebook profile.
“Just because students think that their friends are the only ones with access to their Facebook account, there are still ways that others can gain that information,” Garton said. “Even if I’m not your friend on Facebook, I can have others pull up your profile and view your content. Information on the Internet just isn’t as secure as it seems.”
The one overwhelming concern between faculty and students is the amount of time that can easily be wasted on the site. Almost every student is guilty of browsing too many people’s profiles or checking for new relationship statuses.
“Be cautious of the amount of time you spend Facebooking,” Garton said. “You may go to spend two minutes checking the list of statuses, and the next thing you know, you have been distracted by someone’s new photos. Two minutes can easily turn into a half an hour.”
Clearly, there are various reasons for Facebook usage across campus, but Ginger Berry, development specialist for the Office of Advancement and Communication, offers another perspective on popular Facebook tools.
“I probably use Facebook the most for connecting with people,” Berry said. “It is an easy way to contact people when you have no clue how to get a hold of them. I also really like the ability to create events and invite people on Facebook. It is a great way to get an RSVP count and communicate an event to several people at the same time.”
Facebook has changed, undoubtedly, from a social networking site to so much more. Students and faculty are bridging the gap between generations, and are finding all the benefits that the site provides. Whether they maintain relationships with friends and family, or spread the word on important events, Facebook is becoming more and more useful. Instead of it only eating student’s time, positive interaction is being encouraged.
