2008 Woodie Awards
Prying parents become Facebook phenomenon
Screening profiles for roommate suitability
Chris Stroud
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Forum
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"Good Morning America" recently broadcast a story about a mother who printed off the Facebook profile of her daughter's potential roommate. It was 44 pages long and she demanded a change. Syracuse University finally gave in to the demand, but this is the exception, not the rule. "USA Today" says that colleges across the country are receiving more and more similar requests and some see this as an attempt to circumvent discrimination laws. Housing officials at some universities say race, religion, income, background and sexual orientation also play a part in parents' decisions.
Syracuse University has formulated a response to such requests. "We do not move students. We do not discriminate at all," said Syracuse University housing director Robin Berkowtiz-Smith. Most of the schools contacted by USA TODAY say they have not made roommate changes as a result of such calls from parents.
Facebook can be a great way to meet new people and even find out about a new roommate. The problem however, is that now parents are also checking out the profiles of potential new roommates and some do not like what they find. Administrations across the country have to deal with parents that demand a room re-assignment because they do not like what they are seeing on the potential roommate of their son or daughter's page. SBU also has encountered this phenomenon. However the University has a more accommodating housing situation and according to Housing Coordinator Chris Keller, "If possible, room re-assignments are made."
Many students do not realize that some of the things posted on their profiles can get them in to serious trouble. Companies and schools are allocating larger resources to search the Internet for information on prospective students and/or employees for inappropriate information on social networking sites resulting in serious misfortune for more than one student. SBU does not have an official policy concerning Facebook, but if something is brought to the administration's attention, disciplinary action will and has been taken.
Syracuse University has formulated a response to such requests. "We do not move students. We do not discriminate at all," said Syracuse University housing director Robin Berkowtiz-Smith. Most of the schools contacted by USA TODAY say they have not made roommate changes as a result of such calls from parents.
Facebook can be a great way to meet new people and even find out about a new roommate. The problem however, is that now parents are also checking out the profiles of potential new roommates and some do not like what they find. Administrations across the country have to deal with parents that demand a room re-assignment because they do not like what they are seeing on the potential roommate of their son or daughter's page. SBU also has encountered this phenomenon. However the University has a more accommodating housing situation and according to Housing Coordinator Chris Keller, "If possible, room re-assignments are made."
Many students do not realize that some of the things posted on their profiles can get them in to serious trouble. Companies and schools are allocating larger resources to search the Internet for information on prospective students and/or employees for inappropriate information on social networking sites resulting in serious misfortune for more than one student. SBU does not have an official policy concerning Facebook, but if something is brought to the administration's attention, disciplinary action will and has been taken.
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