Students Cautioned To Guard Privacy

Viruses are no longer the only thing computer users in dorms are cautioned against.

For the first time, campus computing workshops are warning dorm residents about the lack of privacy in online social networks such as Facebook and MySpace. Students must attend the workshops to gain residential Internet use privileges.

In addition to preparing students for privacy issues, the workshops also provide information on bandwidth and security.

"We want to raise awareness among residents," said Manager of Residential Computing Dedra Chamberlin. "Students need to realize everything is public until they make it private."

The college online directory Facebook has boomed in size since its creation in 2004 and now has 7.5 million users. Myspace, a social network geared toward general users, boasts more than 100 million members.

Facebook, MySpace and other similar networks can facilitate access to personal information such as phone numbers, addresses and screen names, leading to safety concerns such as stalking, Chamberlin said.

The increased usage of online social networks has also complicated relations between students and university officials on campus and in colleges nationwide, she said.

The sites, on which students post photos and exchange comments, can allow college officials to view documentation of student code of conduct violations-such as underage drinking.

Many universities nationwide are now struggling with how to enforce policies based on evidence obtained from online networks.

At UC Berkeley earlier this year, coaches of the track and field team reportedly discovered Facebook photos of athletes violating the team's policy barring alcohol consumption during the season. The coaches responded by holding a meeting about the policy and threatening the athletes with removal from the team.

"For me, it illustrated the consequences of putting too much information online," said junior pole vaulter Katie Morgan. "I felt violated that someone was checking up on me, but at the same time, I saw it coming."

Chamberlin said she hopes the workshops will encourage students to think about the information they are sharing online.

"If something happens, we don't want students to say 'how come you didn't warn us?'" she said.

Many students, however, said they are already familiar with the privacy dangers present in online social networks.

"I've heard it before," said incoming freshman Andy Stokols, who said he did not plan to alter his privacy settings based on what was presented in the workshop.

Sophomore dorm resident Carla Prado is also familiar with the privacy dangers posed by online social networks.

"I think what residential computing is doing is pretty effective," she said.

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