The Case of the Facebook Pictures
The Orientation Committee has spent most of the spring and summer finishing their plans for Fall Orientation, where they will welcome next year's incoming class of freshmen and transfer students . They even hosted a number of summer orientation events, which allow prospective students to have a first look at the campus in June and July .The Orientation Committee was able to meaningfully connect with a number of incoming freshmen, even becoming Facebook friends with them in order to stay in touch throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall semester . Two weeks before school starts, the Orientation Committee decides to hang out off campus and have a few drinks to relax and celebrate all their hard work . No one who is underage drinks, and no one goes over the legal limit .
Shortly thereafter, some pictures from that night are posted on Facebook . A prospective student is viewing the pictures on his home computer when his mom spots them . She is very upset to see "such behavior" from students at this University and refuses to allow her son to attend in the fall . She calls the president's office to angrily complain about the situation and he, in turn, calls you, the Orientation Committee Advisor, and tells you to "handle the situation ."
> What would you do?
I would talk to the kids and tell them that if they got caught again that they would be expelled but for their behavior I would suspend them for 1 week from attending school. They need to know that it is wrong and not to be doing those things with people watching at all times.
ReplyDeleteI think this is not a problem because no one underage is drinking. No one is going over the legal limit so it is not a problem. 'Such behavior' doesn't really seem like a problem. I can see why she was concerned, but calling the school principal and angrily complaining was taking it too far i believe.
ReplyDeleteI really wouldn't know what to do. They really didn't do anything wrong. The underages didn't drink and the ones that could didn't drink over the legal limit. I would talk to them about how you shouldn't put things on Facebook or the internet.
ReplyDeleteIf I was that mom I would probably feel the same way. How would I know the underage students didn't drink off the camera? It's hard to tell. I would probably talk to the students and make sure that they know what to post on facebook and what not to. If someone tags you, untag yourself, ask them to delete the picture, etc. You're not just representing yourself, you're representing your school, family, and friends. What you do can effect someone else. Because of those pictures the college lost a possible student. I do believe that the mom kind of led to conclusions and that's a little too far fetched to immediately shut down the idea of going to the school.
ReplyDeleteI would explain that it was completely legal and that no one was hurt or broke to law. I would advise them that they should be careful about what you post online. They can have fun but be responsible. Make smart choice and take down the picture and keep online clean.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think for one am proud to hear everything was legal. Two, I would tell the student if they are going to go drinking legally try not to post pictures with alcohol in them and set a good example while drinking.. aka responsibility. I when then call the parent and tell her what happened and how the kids are responsible about their drinking if allowed too.
ReplyDelete