Does your Facebook account need a dose of Proactiv or other leading dermatologist cream? Are your chapter members involved in the latest Facebook craze?
You can find pictures of almost anything. There’s pictures of people with bongs full of beer and pictures of people with bongs full of smoke. And hell if you smoke out, why not just throw some pictures on Facebook of you and some friends taking hits from the hookah. There are pictures of some girls that should keep their clothes on and others that are getting more press than the Iraqi war and debuts in Playboy because of the clothes they are taking off.
Search and you’ll find the pictures of college students at their finest. And don’t think that just because you’re drinking out of a red or yellow cup and not holding a beer can that people don’t know what you’re doing. And while you’re at it, put down your collar, and no guys should not wear pink. Yes, I’m a member of the group: “Is it cold in here? then put down your collar!”
So I’ve admitted it. I too am caught up in the Facebook craze. But I’d like to think that I am doing it somewhat responsibly. You won’t find my fraternity letters posted somewhere that they shouldn’t be such as on a girl’s breasts as the collegehumor.com pictures would attest. Nor would I be embarrassed at explaining anything on my profile or photos to a future employer. But sadly, I don’t think such is the case with many of my peers, including many of my fraternity brothers that may not get the job they wanted or wind up in some type of trouble because of a “blemish” that shows up on their Facebook account.
Besides, it’s no secret now that people are using Facebook to find out a lot of information about students. Employers have admitted to using it. Even police officers have admitted to using it. Some people are just idiots. One guy at my school listed himself as a frequent drug user and actually had information on his Facebook wall about making a drug deal.
There have even been cases where universities have expelled people for the things they have said on their Facebook account. A student at Fisher College in Boston learned that the hard way after he made comments on his Facebook account about a police officer. Faculty and staff of universities can join Facebook as well. They’re email address ends in .edu too.
And, there is the positive side to Facebook (aside from checking out Jenn Sterger). Yes you can use it to network with your college friends and keep up with high school friends- even those you wish you’d never really see again. But, chapters have also found creative ways to use Facebook as recruitment tools. It’s a sure and quick way to find a recruit’s phone number, address and other personal information. Maybe they can become the next Bluto or Otter in your chapter. Maybe they can become much more.
But as for the fraternity, yea, Umm… I’m gonna go ahead and just ask you to uhmm yea, just use some common sense when making reference or posting pictures that represents our organization in any type of public forum. We get enough bad publicity as it is from the brothers who are wanna-be porn stars, successful bank robbers and those that like to intoxicate Babe the pig. Plus, what are the legal issues chapters could face when and if Facebook photos that someone just slapped on the net reveal evidence of underage drinking at our chapter houses? Facebook really can be a public relations nightmare. Let’s not give Uncle Thompson a heart attack.
The bottom line here is to just be smart and have respect for oneself. Realize the impact of your actions. We’re supposed to be the balanced men but some of these Facebook pictures show balance to be the one thing we’re lacking. Just what would your mother say? Okay, so maybe it’s not quite that serious.
But then there’s the flip side. We each have freedom of speech and expression to do as we will. Write what you wish and put up any pictures that you want.
Just remember that somebody might be using your own handy-work to write your letter of recommendation later or to decide whether to hire you.
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