Best Practices Among Student Affairs Professionals Using Online Networking Communities
Jennifer T. Roberts-EdwardsDoctoral StudentSam Houston State University
Since their inception, Facebook.com and Myspace.com have been popular among undergraduate students. However, the popularity of these online networking communities has been spreading to the younger generation of student affairs professionals. There is no reason that student affairs professionals should not use these websites, however one should use caution in determining how much personal information to disclose. The following advice should be considered when creating a facebook or myspace account.
Do not post personal pictures that you would not want administrators, colleagues, or students to view. One of the most prominent features of these websites is that they allow their users to post pictures of themselves. Users have the ability to create photo albums based on the hobbies or activities that they may participate in outside of the work environment. A student affairs professional works very hard, and some of the professionals play very hard as well. Do not provide others with insight into your personal life that you do not want them to know.
Watch the comments your friends may leave on your page. A myspace or facebook profile enables a user’s friends to post comments on their page. Among student affairs professionals, these comments are usually based on a person’s life before their current career. However, if the professional does not regulate their friend’s comments on their page, an unwanted comment may appear that might provide further insight into the ways a student affairs professional decides to spend his or her time outside of the work environment.
Choose an appropriate song for your page. Myspace.com has a feature that enables users to post a song that plays when their page is accessed. Generally, student affairs professionals enjoy many different genres of music, but some music may not need to be broadcasted to their administrators and students.
Be cautious when disclosing your personal information. It is very easy for users of online networking communities to believe that only their friends view their profile, but any Internet user has the ability to view any profile. Users of myspace.com may post their favorite quotes, movies, television shows, and even how frequently they consume alcohol. Student affairs professionals should use caution in posting personal information that might potentially affect their current or future career.
Choose to make your profile private. Almost all of the online networking communities have a feature that allows users to make their profile inaccessible to people who are not their “friends.” Student affairs professionals may choose to exercise this option to keep their personal information from being viewed by people they have not given permission. This privacy may be intercepted if student affairs professionals decide to add their students or co-workers as “friends.” These new “friends” can show others the information that they have accessed.
Promote your office’s programs and services. One of the untapped features of online networking communities by colleges and universities is the promotion of the programs and services that their students can access. Student affairs professionals can use these websites to their advantage by creating a public profile with their student services information posted. They might want to post their office hours and location, the mission statement and vision of their office, and upcoming programs. On a personal level, the student affairs professional may want to post the degrees that they have obtained or are working towards in the education section on their page. This may inspire students to obtain an undergraduate degree or work towards a graduate or professional degree after graduation. In addition, students need to know that their advisor or student affairs professional is human and has a life outside of work. A student affairs professional may want to post family pictures or list a few personal hobbies on their page. These few pieces of information may help a student open up to a student affairs professional about things that the two may have in common.
Overall, myspace.com and facebook.com are great ways to help student affairs professionals market themselves and the services that their offices offer to their students and the greater university community. However, professionals in the higher education environment should use caution in posting too much personal information that may be viewed by others. A student affairs professional should adhere to their personal and professional values when interacting with others in online networking communities.