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 look upon this machine as a tool," he said of his computer. "I use this in my work. This is just a quick postal service."
Mark White, a lecturer within the department of kinesiology, said he has had a Facebook account for one and a half years and had found it to be a great tool in keeping in touch with friends and students. But it can be too invasive at times.
White has a policy that he will not add students as friends, he said, but will accept students who add him as a friend.
He said he decided to make a Facebook account because of pressure from his friends, and he checks it on a daily basis.
White said he isn't aware of any specific regulations regarding what he can or cannot post as a faculty member, but he is careful about the image he presents.
"I don't want to be a bad influence," he said.
Amber Epley, a junior sports management major, said she is friends with two professors on Facebook - Swim and Reuben May, an associate professor of sociology.
Epley said she it is a good thing for faculty members to be on Facebook.
"I think it helps them connect better with the students," she said. "If class is canceled, most [students] are going to check their Facebook before their e-mail."
Epley said May uses Facebook as a way to get to know his students better and sometimes sends them personalized messages.
"I think it makes them look more approachable to students," she said. "I don't think it's really weird - I think it's kind of cool."
Mark White, a lecturer within the department of kinesiology, said he has had a Facebook account for one and a half years and had found it to be a great tool in keeping in touch with friends and students. But it can be too invasive at times.
White has a policy that he will not add students as friends, he said, but will accept students who add him as a friend.
He said he decided to make a Facebook account because of pressure from his friends, and he checks it on a daily basis.
White said he isn't aware of any specific regulations regarding what he can or cannot post as a faculty member, but he is careful about the image he presents.
"I don't want to be a bad influence," he said.
Amber Epley, a junior sports management major, said she is friends with two professors on Facebook - Swim and Reuben May, an associate professor of sociology.
Epley said she it is a good thing for faculty members to be on Facebook.
"I think it helps them connect better with the students," she said. "If class is canceled, most [students] are going to check their Facebook before their e-mail."
Epley said May uses Facebook as a way to get to know his students better and sometimes sends them personalized messages.
"I think it makes them look more approachable to students," she said. "I don't think it's really weird - I think it's kind of cool."
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