Spring Break
Facebook ban reversed for student athletes
Rachel Abbey
Issue date: 7/5/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Student athletes can keep their Facebook profiles, provided they keep them for only friends to see and follow the athletic department's code of expected behavior, said Athletic Director Laing Kennedy.
The university had originally planned to ban the popular networking Web site to student athletes, but had a change of heart after reviewing the privacy measures available on Facebook.
"Do we really need to go this far with it?" Kennedy said, questioning the original ban.
"As long as student athletes give their coach and administrative staff access, that would provide enough safeguards."
The athletic department had previously expressed concern about athletes' personal information being available to the public, allowing for possible stalking situations. They were also concerned about athletes displaying innappropriate information on their profiles.
Kennedy said the department reviewed the code of expected behavior and came up with a way to monitor the students while still allowing them to be in contact with their friends on the site.
"Being a student athlete at Kent State is a privelege, not a right," Kennedy said.
The athletes are expected to keep their pages clean of provocative content, such as comments reading, "come party with us," Kennedy said.
"This is not a first Amendment issue," Kennedy said.
Athletes concede to certain terms when they choose to compete at Kent State, agreeing to follow these terms on and off the field, he said. They are expected to train and stay in shape, to attend class, do their work and graduate and also to respect laws and act professionally.
Kennedy said he had discussed the proposed ban with coaches and athletes but had not received complaints from student athletes themselves. He had received some from student organizations at other universities and faculty at Kent State.
These safety measures also give the university a position to stay on top of other networking sites, such as MySpace, Kennedy said.
Contact reporter Rachel Abbey at rabbey@kent.edu.
The university had originally planned to ban the popular networking Web site to student athletes, but had a change of heart after reviewing the privacy measures available on Facebook.
"Do we really need to go this far with it?" Kennedy said, questioning the original ban.
"As long as student athletes give their coach and administrative staff access, that would provide enough safeguards."
The athletic department had previously expressed concern about athletes' personal information being available to the public, allowing for possible stalking situations. They were also concerned about athletes displaying innappropriate information on their profiles.
Kennedy said the department reviewed the code of expected behavior and came up with a way to monitor the students while still allowing them to be in contact with their friends on the site.
"Being a student athlete at Kent State is a privelege, not a right," Kennedy said.
The athletes are expected to keep their pages clean of provocative content, such as comments reading, "come party with us," Kennedy said.
"This is not a first Amendment issue," Kennedy said.
Athletes concede to certain terms when they choose to compete at Kent State, agreeing to follow these terms on and off the field, he said. They are expected to train and stay in shape, to attend class, do their work and graduate and also to respect laws and act professionally.
Kennedy said he had discussed the proposed ban with coaches and athletes but had not received complaints from student athletes themselves. He had received some from student organizations at other universities and faculty at Kent State.
These safety measures also give the university a position to stay on top of other networking sites, such as MySpace, Kennedy said.
Contact reporter Rachel Abbey at rabbey@kent.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Anonymous
posted 7/05/06 @ 8:12 PM EST
What do athletes say about this? Come on, you know how to source a story
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