Spring Break
Facebook friends
Texas A&M professors join online social community to connect with students
By: Kimberly Huebner
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: News
"I just like to interact with people and enjoy that a lot," he said. "Doing such in a round-about way of thumbing through Facebook and reading would seem to me to be rather dry compared to conversation face-to-face."
He has nothing against other faculty members being on Facebook, Vastano said.
"I think it is a personal choice for each of us to make," he said. "Although I must admit, I've never even considered Facebook. I like real people, right here, too much to just read a file about them."
Douglas Starr, a professor in the department of agricultural leadership, education and communications, said he created his Facebook account in 2005 when he was preparing to take a group of agricultural journalism students to Scotland. Facebook was a way for them to learn about each other before the trip because many of the students and faculty members on the trip were from different universities.
"Other than that, I have no use for Facebook," he said.
While he accepts people who add him as a friend, Starr said, he does not post personal information on his profile. He does not check Facebook unless he receives an e-mail notification of activity on his profile.
Starr said he prefers to use the Neo system to communicate with his students.
"Neo is far superior," he said. "I can contact selected students or I can contact all my students at one time."
Starr said he has several concerns about Facebook - he has found that many students, particularly women, post too much personal information and is concerned that students are posting things that will jeopardize future job opportunities.
"Whoever you work for - you represent that company, just as [students] represent Texas A&M now," he said. "A corporation will look and see what you write on your Facebook."
Despite this, Starr said he likes some aspects of Facebook. The students who traveled to Scotland posted pictures after the trip, which allowed him to see pictures that he did not take. Facebook helps him keep in touch with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter who live in Krum, Texas.
He has nothing against other faculty members being on Facebook, Vastano said.
"I think it is a personal choice for each of us to make," he said. "Although I must admit, I've never even considered Facebook. I like real people, right here, too much to just read a file about them."
Douglas Starr, a professor in the department of agricultural leadership, education and communications, said he created his Facebook account in 2005 when he was preparing to take a group of agricultural journalism students to Scotland. Facebook was a way for them to learn about each other before the trip because many of the students and faculty members on the trip were from different universities.
"Other than that, I have no use for Facebook," he said.
While he accepts people who add him as a friend, Starr said, he does not post personal information on his profile. He does not check Facebook unless he receives an e-mail notification of activity on his profile.
Starr said he prefers to use the Neo system to communicate with his students.
"Neo is far superior," he said. "I can contact selected students or I can contact all my students at one time."
Starr said he has several concerns about Facebook - he has found that many students, particularly women, post too much personal information and is concerned that students are posting things that will jeopardize future job opportunities.
"Whoever you work for - you represent that company, just as [students] represent Texas A&M now," he said. "A corporation will look and see what you write on your Facebook."
Despite this, Starr said he likes some aspects of Facebook. The students who traveled to Scotland posted pictures after the trip, which allowed him to see pictures that he did not take. Facebook helps him keep in touch with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter who live in Krum, Texas.
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