Athletes warned about Facebook

Elizabeth Pacheco Sports Editor

For students across the nation, The Facebook has become a common feature of both college and high school culture. What was first a simple means of communication between college students is now a widespread online community. Earlier this year, students’ eyes were opened to the site’s potential dangers when a news feed that tracked the movement of every single Facebook member was added. Student outrage rose with the site’s new “stalker-like” characteristics, but members continued using the site as more privacy controls were made available. Dangers still remain, however, especially for college athletes. Across the country, college and university athletic departments are taking action to prevent student athletes from publicizing quotes, interests, or pictures that are harmful both to themselves and the reputation of the institution.

While no serious incidents have arisen here at Vassar, the Athletics Department is not willing to take any risks. In an Oct. 11 e-mail to lacrosse teammates, Laura Burnett ’07, Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) warned, “Don’t wear VC athletic apparel when you go out partying, and don’t post incriminating pictures of yourself or teammates on Facebook. FACT: Angel [Mason] looks through our Facebook accounts every Monday morning to see how the weekend went.”

As head of Vassar Athletic Operations and a moderator for SAAC Mason is responsible for keeping athletes aware of the dangers of social Web sites such as Facebook and Myspace. “Athlete safety is the major concern right now. Students are listing their dorm address, phone numbers, e-mail, and other personal information on a Web site that is accessible to practically anyone,” said Mason. “While Vassar has no specific policies addressing Facebook use, we want to take preventive measures instead of having to react if a situation arises.”

Besides athlete safety, schools are also concerned with how Facebook profiles represent their institutions. The Vassar Student-Athlete Handbook states: “To represent Vassar is an honor, and student-athletes selected for this prestigious privilege have special responsibilities and an obligation to uphold the level of moral and ethical standards expected within the College community.” Mason noted that when athletes compete, they are presenting an image of Vassar to outsiders. If athletes have inappropriate Facebook profiles then the reputation of the school is potentially undermined, said Mason.

Examples of incidents where a school’s reputation was risked because of athletes’ actions on The Facebook include one this past May, when two Louisiana State University swimmers were banned from the team after athletic officials discovered that the athletes were members of a Facebook group that posted comments offensive to their coaches. The University of Colorado had a similar incident when an offensive tackle from the football team and a cross-country runner were charged with sending racist messages to another athlete via Facebook. The football player was suspended from the Champs Sports Bowl, and the runner quit the team.

Many athletics departments are concerned about photos posted on Facebook of athletes who are engaging in underage drinking. Although Vassar’s Athletic Department does not have specific consequences for inappropriate Facebook use, student-athletes who are underage and pictured in Vassar apparel with alcohol will be subject to regular consequences. As the Vassar Student-Athlete Handbook states, “All Vassar student-athletes must bear responsibility to act in accordance with local, state and national laws. They may be subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate College authorities for the following actions of personal misconduct in connection with a Vassar athletics activity or representation.” Included in these actions is “lewd or indecent conduct, or obscene conduct or obscene expression,” and the “use, distribution, or possession of alcoholic beverages.”

Other colleges have started taking preventative measures against Facebook. This year, Northern Kentucky University included a Facebook-use policy in its own student-athlete code of conduct. At Loyola University Chicago and Kent State University, athletes are forbidden to belong to the site, and last December, Florida State University athletes were given 10 days to clean their profiles. While the NCAA has not developed a policy dealing directly with Facebook, the organization is aware of the situation and has taken action to educate athletes on proper use of social networking.

Nearly two-thirds of college students have Facebook accounts. Mason advises athletes to create a profile void of inappropriate material, or more specifically, “something Mom could see without being embarrassed.”