The question as to whether or not Facebook has become a tool used by the administration to bust students has provoked and threatened much of the population at Guilford this semester. Rumors of R.A.s reporting students because of incriminating information and pictures on Facebook have driven many to edit their profiles.

After talking to Associate Dean for Campus Life Alyson Kienle and Director of Public Safety Reginald Hayes, it seems that for the most part, this concern is just a rumor. Thank God.

Hayes denied that information from student’s Facebook profiles is used to incriminate students, at least by Public Safety.

“We only respond to any incident when we are notified by Campus Life Staff, which includes R.A.s and hall directors,” he said. Hayes also said that they don’t talk to R.A.s about students’ Facebook profiles.

Kienle was a student at the University of Virginia last year and had her own Facebook profile. Now she has an account as a staff member at Guilford, but has only used it as evidence in one incident that involved a student complaint of harassment on Facebook.

She thought it was funny when I asked if they try to find incriminating facts on Facebook. “I don’t have time for that,” Kienle said.

All of this should be comforting to students, but it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be conscious of what they include.

Kienle did say that if by chance she or another staff member does come across something illegal, it can be used against the student. “Students should just be mindful of what they put out there,” she said.

After talking to these two staff members, I feel a lot better about Guilford’s policies on this issue.

I think it would be very disrespectful for the staff to look at Facebook profiles to try to get people in trouble. Even if a student doesn’t have anything incriminating in their profile, most likely they would prefer that their teachers don’t know the same details of their personal life that they share with their peers.

If a staff member honestly comes across information accidentally, I can understand their duty to report it. However, considering that Facebook is a database for individuals, it could be used as a Big Brother technique to make sure students aren’t breaking the rules.

What it comes down to is that students should take into consideration what they decide to include in personal profiles like Facebook. Everyone needs to keep in mind that these profiles are put out for the public to look at, and you never know who will look at it or how they will use the information they see.

Similarly, R.A.s and staff members should be respectful and avoid looking for reasons to get students in trouble.