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Policies on social networking

What is your school's policy on social networking sites, such as professional sites like this one or ones like Facebook or Twitter? Are teachers allowed to friend students, as another means of mentorship? Can teachers be friends with directors?
Before changing careers into massage, I taught business at a state university. Faculty and Administration were encouraged to 'friend' students on FB and MySpace to build comraderie and as another means for students to 'connect' with us. I am currently at a privately owned massage school. We are now not allowed to friend current students, the administration or other directors. We are not allowed to 'friend' anyone above us or below us due to the boundary issues and dual relationship issues. I'm not saying this is a good or bad policy. It is what it is. I'm just interested in hearing what other schools do in this age of technology.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael McAleese on January 18, 2010 at 11:47am

I own a small school out side Chicago. I do not have a problem with "Friending students". We do have a Facebook site. My Instructors are also on it. It is the new way of staying in Contact fast. We do set Boundaries still with in reason.

Mike
www.sohmar.com

Permalink Reply by Noel Norwick on January 18, 2010 at 12:34pm

Here in Los Angeles, CA, I have worked at 4 massage schools: two of which have such restrictions (despite numerous repeated violations, seemingly unsuccessfully given that restraining orders have not been sought nor legal "cease & desist" judgments issued) and two that actively support all levels of school staff "friending" the school, students, other staff and management (justified by the free PR and the fact that "friendship" must be freely confirmed).

Permalink Reply by Kristie Hogan on January 18, 2010 at 12:58pm

The Edmund Morgan School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy in Cornelius, NC (www.NCmassageSchool) does not "friend" students on Face Book. After they graduate, then we can become "friends". But, due to boundary issues and dual relationship issues, no "friends" while students. I do have a personal Face Book, but we also have our school Face Book. The students can definitely be a part of the school's Face Book. But, not my personal Face Book until after graduation.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Sims on January 18, 2010 at 6:20pm

Hi Kelly
several schools on Maui don't have a policy, and i am friends with current and former students, as well as other professional colleagues like teachers and administrators, including principals & owners. i even have clients as friends. it seems to me the teacher-student relationship is no different just because it's an electronic medium. for me, websites set up to share information among like-minded folks, or kindred spirits are very helpful.

dual relationship issues? i don't understand how facebook compromises the integrity of the teacher-student. do you? is there something else at risk?

Permalink Reply by Kelly Grounds on January 18, 2010 at 6:37pm

Hi Jeff,
My understanding on the dual relationshio/FB thing is this: People tend to reveal more information on FB or Myspace than IRL. A teacher could be in a position to 'judge' a student on what political candidate they 'fanned' on FB, give more attention or better grades to those students who 'chat' with them and things like that. Heaven forbid, a teacher might give a favored grade to a student who helps them out on some online game. :-) So, the school is protecting the students and the teachers. This policy is for our benefit. Personally, I'm not sold on it but I can understand the thinking.
I taught ethics for an MBA program and I am amused/horrified at the length LMTs have to go to in order to maintain their 'relationship boundaries.' Dual relationships happen everywhere, IRL. Your church friend may also be your Mary Kay uplink or your supplier for products or your doctor. My school is very strict on maintaining boundaries and avoiding dual relationships at all cost. Coming from the corporate and business world, this is very difficult to achieve. And in a business that relies so much on networking and word of mouth, I'm not sure this is the right tactic.
My school does have a FB page, but it also includes the cos, nails and other programs. The massage program is sort of the red headed step child.

Jaya Jeff Sims said:

Hi Kelly
several schools on Maui don't have a policy, and i am friends with current and former students, as well as other professional colleagues like teachers and administrators, including principals & owners. i even have clients as friends. it seems to me the teacher-student relationship is no different just because it's an electronic medium. for me, websites set up to share information among like-minded folks, or kindred spirits are very helpful.

dual relationship issues? i don't understand how facebook compromises the integrity of the teacher-student. do you? is there something else at risk?

Permalink Reply by Jeff Sims on January 19, 2010 at 2:59am

thanks for the thoughtful response Kelly. you write that "People tend to reveal more information on FB... than IRL." i chuckle at the three letter acronym.

here's my take on this. i don't like rules (this is probably what attracts me to the discussion). people tend to sometimes behave inappropriately. they learn a dysfunctional behavior and stress seems to challenge their consciousness. some teachers make poor subjective assessments or engage in inappropriate behavior -- facebook doesn't do it. and social networks are not unreal life; facebook is not literally face-to-face, but it seems very real to me and we must all be responsible for our thoughts, words, actions and postings.

my $0.02

Permalink Reply by Kelly Grounds on January 19, 2010 at 9:10am

Oh, I agree people need to be responsible for their actions, online or face to face. And some teachers/students do tend to 'speak before thinking' in both places.
Here's another policy of my school regarding social networking; If you have a link to the school's official FB, MS or other pages, your profile cannot contain any pictures or references to alcohol, sex, or behavior that could compromise the school. Even pictures of your family at the beach are banned if they are wearing swimming suits. Now, my hobby is brewing beer and vinting wine. I did both of these long before becoming a massage therapist. I also assist my daughter's swim team, which are heading to the state championships. But I am banned from discussions and would have to delete half my stuff if I linked to the school page, which I have not.

Jaya Jeff Sims said:

thanks for the thoughtful response Kelly. you write that "People tend to reveal more information on FB... than IRL." i chuckle at the three letter acronym.

here's my take on this. i don't like rules (this is probably what attracts me to the discussion). people tend to sometimes behave inappropriately. they learn a dysfunctional behavior and stress seems to challenge their consciousness. some teachers make poor subjective assessments or engage in inappropriate behavior -- facebook doesn't do it. and social networks are not unreal life; facebook is not literally face-to-face, but it seems very real to me and we must all be responsible for our thoughts, words, actions and postings.

my $0.02

Permalink Reply by Jeff Sims on January 19, 2010 at 10:55pm

you have tremendous patience Kelly. i am counting my blessings yet feeling sad thinking about suppressing inquiry and self-expression. politics... 8-|

Kelly Grounds said:

Oh, I agree people need to be responsible for their actions, online or face to face. And some teachers/students do tend to 'speak before thinking' in both places.
Here's another policy of my school regarding social networking; If you have a link to the school's official FB, MS or other pages, your profile cannot contain any pictures or references to alcohol, sex, or behavior that could compromise the school. Even pictures of your family at the beach are banned if they are wearing swimming suits. Now, my hobby is brewing beer and vinting wine. I did both of these long before becoming a massage therapist. I also assist my daughter's swim team, which are heading to the state championships. But I am banned from discussions and would have to delete half my stuff if I linked to the school page, which I have not.

Jaya Jeff Sims said:
thanks for the thoughtful response Kelly. you write that "People tend to reveal more information on FB... than IRL." i chuckle at the three letter acronym.

here's my take on this. i don't like rules (this is probably what attracts me to the discussion). people tend to sometimes behave inappropriately. they learn a dysfunctional behavior and stress seems to challenge their consciousness. some teachers make poor subjective assessments or engage in inappropriate behavior -- facebook doesn't do it. and social networks are not unreal life; facebook is not literally face-to-face, but it seems very real to me and we must all be responsible for our thoughts, words, actions and postings.

my $0.02