Most of us don’t usually think twice about adding people on Facebook.
Whether it is from mere impulse or sheer boredom, there are numerous amounts of reasons why we add/friend request people, but some of the more common motives include having lots of mutual friends, meeting them in class, working with them and romantic interest. The list goes on and on.
But has anyone ever really thought about adding professors on Facebook? Is it really all that unethical, especially considering that teaching assistants can consider us their peers since they are students as well?
What some people don’t realize is that it is on a case-by-case basis on which professors and students can add each other on Facebook along with other social networking outlets.
It all really depends on the school’s policy, the teacher’s policy and whether or not the student is really going to add his or her teacher on Facebook in the first place.
“I think it’s fine if they want to do that,” Ian Espinoza, a journalism sophomore, said. “It’s weird, but it’s personal opinion if you want to be friends with a professor and see what they’re doing.”
It is unclear as to whether or not ASU even has a student to professor Facebook policy though.
I am “friends” with an adjunct professor at the journalism school, but that is merely for communication purposes, such as feedback on assignments.
Not for “liking” spring break pictures from Lake Havasu or chatting when we’re both “online.” No puzzling ethical predicament in that situation.
Even if no one sees an ethical dilemma behind it, and people were in fact allowed to connect via social networking with their teachers, it could get people into quite a few awkward, unusual and sometimes career-ending positions.
Teachers would have to draw the line at what is personal and what is professional, and whether or not they want to be that way on social media.
As previously reported in an article on ABC News’ Technology website, one teacher in Massachusetts was let go because she was posting on Facebook about her students, their parents and her job.
One teacher in Florida was suspended for five days because he posted a status that said he hated his job and his students.
Honestly, it came down to the decision of whether or not to add a teacher and see how they really felt about their career and their students or to just leave a hint of doubt as to what they do in their real lives is obvious.
It is better to be left doubting and wondering than to know how your professors see you.
Go ahead. Push the “Add as Friend” button at the top of your favorite history teacher’s profile.
Just be cautious, because being friends is always a complicated thing, especially when it’s with your professor.
Add Raffy as a friend at jermac@asu.edu
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