The Feb. 22 editorial, “Knowing the Limits,” characterizes the Facebook committee’s charge as one “to determine what boundaries should be set for Ithaca College’s use of the networking site.” This is not our focus. We have been asked to examine: 1) What policies and/or protocols, if any, we should develop to guide our actions as an institution in relation to community members who use these sites; 2) how we as educators might help students better understand their rights, risks and responsibilities in using this technology; and 3) if there are ways the institution can utilize social networking sites to better serve current students or prospective students.

As for using Facebook in criminal investigations, as a matter of policy the college does not actively monitor anyone’s electronic activity. Academic freedom and freedom of speech are real values in our environment. Not unlike events in physical space, we will react according to policy and law when violations come to our attention, but we are not seeking to enhance our ability to “catch” students engaging in misconduct.

The students on the committee are quite sophisticated when it comes to electronic social networking and are doing an excellent job representing their peers. If the committee develops recommendations that our student representatives feel need broader student input, then we will most certainly seek it. Our plan is to develop protocols, educational materials and uses of social networking sites that will help us all utilize this technology to its best advantage.

Doreen Hettich-Atkins
Co-chair, Facebook Taskforce
Coordinator of Special Services and Programs, Student Affairs and Campus Life

Michael Taves   
Co-chair, Facebook Taskforce
Executive Director, Information Technology Services