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		Online Social Networking: Training Our Staff as Role Models Submitted by Tim Shaal, Residence Hall Director, Bowling Green State University Social Network Theory talks about nodes and ties. The idea is that nodes are groups or individuals. The ties represent relationships between the groups or individuals. A small network has tight ties often formed through regular interaction or close interpersonal relationships. We might think of these nodes and ties as friends. A larger network often has weak ties. These nodes and weak ties might be thought of as acquaintances. While these ties are weak, due to the potential lack of close relationships, they can be beneficial for personal development due to a potentially wider knowledge base. Today we see social networking taking place online. Services like AOL Instant Messenger, MySpace, Facebook, Xanga, and others are creating conversations among student affairs professionals across the country. These conversations revolve around how to address the way students interact online. Articles have been written about the implications for student affairs practice. We have heard about the dangers these services have for stalking, identity theft, roommate conflicts, discipline, and hiring practices by future employers. Some professionals fear the services because potential arising from these sites lie on the edge of the unknown. Concerns sometimes deal with how to address the problems in a developmental way that will not infringe upon student rights. What do you do with that Facebook picture that shows an underage student playing what appears to be beer pong? How do you address the Resident Advisor who is pictured with his or her residents, all of whom are holding red cups? Is there any proof of what exists in the cups? Is an admission by a student or staff member enough to hold them accountable when physical proof doesn’t exist? It is hard to say if there are clear developmental, legal, or ethical answers to the above questions. This is a new topic that we will continue to explore as technology changes and advances. However, there are some important things to consider in terms of online social networking. Our students are looking for ways to connect with one another. Online Social Networking provides them an opportunity to do this. In her book Big Questions, Worthy Dreams, Sharon Dalloz Parks talks about the concept of the Commons. The commons is an idea that people in a community share in their development in terms of the way they interact. Often times a centralized location plays a role in these interactions. These interactions in this centralized location shape our development. Parks acknowledges that the commons has both positive and negative elements by saying, The commons is not a pristine romantic image. Whether in the form of Main Street or the wharf; the church, synagogue, or mosque; the bodega or the stoops of the brownstones; the city square or the ball field, the practice of the commons is always a mix of sins and graces. But wherever there is consciousness of participation in a commons, there is an anchored sense of shared life within a manageable frame. (pg. 10) It is important to consider for one moment that online social networks may be taking the place, in some way, of the formal brick and mortar commons. Many positive things may come out of this if students feel that they matter in their community. No longer does a student feel marginalized socially because they have interacted with Suzy or Tommy on MySpace, making them more comfortable approaching Suzy or Tommy in the bathroom. At the same time, as the Internet takes on the role of the commons, challenges or sins will arise. The question is in what way do we address these challenges? In his article, Addressing Online Behaviors, Dan Oltersdorf talks about five things we can do to address how our students interact online. The very first point he makes is that we must “proactively educate staff members and students. This includes discussing what is or is not appropriate to post online, and what implications there are for staff members who do post information that could undermine their position or even result in disciplinary action. (p. 15)” As residence life professionals prepare for training or look for topics to discuss as staff development, consider discussing online social networking. These training and staff development sessions provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of role modeling as a responsibility or expectation for resident advisor staff. Consider making online social networking a part of your training by relating it to role modeling and ethics. If you decide to make online social networking a topic of your training, here are a few considerations. Expectations of Resident Advisor Staff Discuss the expectations your office has in place for resident advisor staff regarding role modeling and ethical behavior. Often times these expectations are set forth in a contract or work agreement that the resident advisor signs. These expectations usually include the importance of role modeling and the need to uphold university policy as well as state and federal laws. Discuss the outcomes and implications of not abiding by these expectations. Discuss Student Perception Talk with your resident advisor staff about student perception. While a picture may show you holding a red cup, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are breaking policy. As a staff member, you may have actually been holding a cup of Kool-Aid. The question here is about perception. When a resident sees the infamous red cup, what perception do they have of the action depicted by the picture. This can be a tricky topic for discussion, especially with resident advisors who are of legal drinking age. Again, discuss how students might interpret such pictures. Remember that role modeling doesn’t just include issues related to alcohol and drugs. It can also include behavior on the floor such as pranks, the way your treat others, or how you communicate. If students perceive that you are breaking policy as a staff member, it might mean you lose credibility with residents living in your community. Discuss How You or Your Office Approach Online Social Networking If you are on the cutting edge of this issue, you may already have a policy or expectation about online social networking. If so, explain this policy to your resident advisor staff. If you don’t have a policy, talk about ways that you or the office utilize services like Facebook or Xanga in terms of job action. Be upfront with your staff and tell them if you have an account with one of these services. Explain that you may occasionally look at their profiles, especially if they are listed as a buddy or friend. Set out expectations about your view on acceptable online behavior. Many professional staff won’t post a picture or information on their Facebook account. This can appear “shady” to staff and residents. Be upfront with your staff. Create a basic account with limited information and explain how you utilize your account. Talk with your staff about ways you can utilize the account to build community as a hall director or senior staff member. Take the time to role model appropriate online behavior for staff and residents by using your own account. Discuss Community Building Using Online Social Networking Online social networking can provide opportunities for staff to address developmental issues with residents. Residents might post a comment that doesn’t consider diverse people or backgrounds. This could create an issue for residents of the floor who read the comment and take offense. How would you expect a staff member to utilize that comment as a learning experience for residents? What are other ways that staff can utilize these services in building community? Discuss with staff how they can promote their programming efforts online. Can they post pictures of floor programs or create groups for the residents of a floor to join, communicate, and monitor? Explain that they can leave messages for residents saying tonight there will be a program in the lounge at 7:30pm. In his article, Dan Oltersdorf’s fourth point is “If you can’t beat them, join ‘em.” (p.15) Dan talks about hall directors who are currently utilizing these services in effective ways. It’s true that these services will continue to develop and advance as evidenced with the addition of photo albums to Facebook. Please recognize that “there are certainly opportunities to use this technology in positive ways, but be aware of possible pitfalls.” (Oltersdorf, 2005, p.15) We must continue to train our staff on these pitfalls. At the same time we must train them how to utilize these services to assist in the development of our students and communities. References Oltersdorf, D. (2005). Addressing online behaviors. Talking stick, 23, pp 14-15, 44 Parks, S.D. (2000). Big questions: Worthy dreams. San Francisco: JosseyBass About The Author Tim Shaal is currently a full time hall director at Bowling Green State University. He received his Master of Science degree in college student personnel from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Tim began in Residence Life as a Resident Assistant. He worked as an Area Coordinator at a small liberal arts college before entering Shippensburg University as a Graduate Hall Director and continuing his education.