Facebook - Privacy Violation?

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

The beer may be down, but there still might be alcohol in the picture. In fact, it might not even be in your place setting.

Maybe I was brought up with a different outlook on alcohol. Alcohol was and still is considered a "grown up" drink in my family, but it was never condemned or considered a bad thing. I watched my parents drink wine at dinner and I was given a wine glass with grape juice or apple juice so I could be "just like the grown ups." When I turned 19 (the legal drinking age here), the juice was replaced with the real thing. My official 19th birthday was wine and dinner with my family. I don't understand why other people weren't brought up the same way. Maybe if people thought about things this way, we'd have fewer problems.

That's nice and all, but the rest of the world DOESN'T revolve around your family. I used to think it would solve all of the world's problems as well until I started hanging out with European students. I don't know anyone else who can get so completely plastered and start again at 8 in the morning. Binge drinking isn't a US problem. Nor is drinking underage. But both are huge problems for greek organizations.

There is a REASON the code of standards states that alcohol cannot be associated with our letters. Too many bad eggs ruined it for the rest of us. Greeks have a hard time dealing with the constant onslaught of negative publicity for binge drinking and underage drinking as it is. It does not help to be drinking in your letters.

Blanket rules in schools, clubs, greek organizations, etc. are there for a reason. No one can wiggle their way out, that way. Better safe than sorry.

There are bigger things in the world to get upset about. If it is THAT important for alcohol to be prominent in your life that you can't just keep some pictures on your bulletin board or coffee table, then you are not in a healthy place mentally. I don't care where you're from or who you are, it is a VERY small thing to ask that you not put alcoholic photographs on facebook. If you can't handle it, maybe you don't need to be a part of ANY organization or team. Part of teamwork is making small compromises and sacrifices so that the individuals can work as a group.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

That's nice and all, but the rest of the world DOESN'T revolve around your family. I used to think it would solve all of the world's problems as well until I started hanging out with European students. I don't know anyone else who can get so completely plastered and start again at 8 in the morning. Binge drinking isn't a US problem. Nor is drinking underage. But both are huge problems for greek organizations.

There is a REASON the code of standards states that alcohol cannot be associated with our letters. Too many bad eggs ruined it for the rest of us. Greeks have a hard time dealing with the constant onslaught of negative publicity for binge drinking and underage drinking as it is. It does not help to be drinking in your letters.

Blanket rules in schools, clubs, greek organizations, etc. are there for a reason. No one can wiggle their way out, that way. Better safe than sorry.

There are bigger things in the world to get upset about. If it is THAT important for alcohol to be prominent in your life that you can't just keep some pictures on your bulletin board or coffee table, then you are not in a healthy place mentally. I don't care where you're from or who you are, it is a VERY small thing to ask that you not put alcoholic photographs on facebook. If you can't handle it, maybe you don't need to be a part of ANY organization or team. Part of teamwork is making small compromises and sacrifices so that the individuals can work as a group.

You know, I think you have some issues yourself. In any case, sometimes, the photos aren't even from the person's profile. The person could have been tagged and from someone who didn't realize that it was wrong to have alcohol associated with letters. Honestly, I think some people DO have issues with alcohol and yes, I agree with 33girl that it's probably because of religion/culture. Of course, it's very difficult to change things because culture is so ingrained in us :-(

You know what I'd do if *I* made the rules? As long as the person isn't WEARING LETTERS/Letters aren't in the photo, then it should be okay. But I don't make the rules. I just don't think some of the regs are all that considerate of some cultures at times. It's only a personal opinion...that's all.

In any case, I guess I really shouldn't be saying anything, since I'm alum and it doesn't exactly affect me.

[33girl]

The US/Canadian thing as far as Greek regs in general has been going on for a long time and I know we've discussed it on here. I know our policy just used to say follow the laws where you are re alcohol. Now since the states all got blackmailed into passing the 21 law, it's undergrads can't have alcohol, period. That would be fine except that the US isn't the only country that has fraternity & sorority chapters. I'm sure it hasn't helped any of the Greek orgs get more of a foothold in Canada.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The US/Canadian thing as far as Greek regs in general has been going on for a long time and I know we've discussed it on here. I know our policy just used to say follow the laws where you are re alcohol. Now since the states all got blackmailed into passing the 21 law, it's undergrads can't have alcohol, period. That would be fine except that the US isn't the only country that has fraternity & sorority chapters. I'm sure it hasn't helped any of the Greek orgs get more of a foothold in Canada.

Actually, that isn't necessarily fine even if Canada didn't have GLOs. People travel, and people take pictures when they travel. You probably won't be wearing a lettered shirt while you're in Italy, but you may still have something GLO-related in your profile.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

You know, I think you have some issues yourself. In any case, sometimes, the photos aren't even from the person's profile. The person could have been tagged and from someone who didn't realize that it was wrong to have alcohol associated with letters. Honestly, I think some people DO have issues with alcohol and yes, I agree with 33girl that it's probably because of religion/culture. Of course, it's very difficult to change things because culture is so ingrained in us :-(

You know what I'd do if *I* made the rules? As long as the person isn't WEARING LETTERS/Letters aren't in the photo, then it should be okay. But I don't make the rules. I just don't think some of the regs are all that considerate of some cultures at times. It's only a personal opinion...that's all.

In any case, I guess I really shouldn't be saying anything, since I'm alum and it doesn't exactly affect me.

My only issue here is that I have sense enough to realize that it's not going to kill me to not post every single picture that I want to post on facebook. Fortunately, I'm able to accept that being part of a group means making small sacrifices and compromises. This is a VERY small thing to ask.

Right, they could be tagged by someone else. You untag them. Unless they were drinking in letters, drinking underage, or are absolutely out of control, no one's going to bring them up. They can't control who has a camera at the bar.

You just can't explain why it is THAT important. We're talking facebook. I know it's fun to make photo albums, BUT your friends probably aren't going to cry themselves to sleep at night if they miss that one picture from the bar or that one picture on vacation.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

My only issue here is that I have sense enough to realize that it's not going to kill me to not post every single picture that I want to post on facebook. Fortunately, I'm able to accept that being part of a group means making small sacrifices and compromises. This is a VERY small thing to ask.

Right, they could be tagged by someone else. You untag them. Unless they were drinking in letters, drinking underage, or are absolutely out of control, no one's going to bring them up. They can't control who has a camera at the bar.

You just can't explain why it is THAT important. We're talking facebook. I know it's fun to make photo albums, BUT your friends probably aren't going to cry themselves to sleep at night if they miss that one picture from the bar or that one picture on vacation.

It might not only be about friends. It might be about family too. Think about that.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

It might not only be about friends. It might be about family too. Think about that.

Oh. My. God.

Is there such a thing as an I'm-gonna-poke-my-eyes-out smiley? I need one.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

It might not only be about friends. It might be about family too. Think about that.

Guess what? Back in the day people did things like get photos printed and mail them. Or make photo albums. Why in god's name is it going to kill you to not post this stuff on FACEBOOK?

Are you just bored and want to argue? Because otherwise you don't seem like you have the right attitude to be in any organized club or team. This is beating the dead horse into a pulp. You chose to go greek, and part of that is making small sacrifices. This is absolutely 100% a SMALL sacrifice. If you need things to be YOUR way ALL the time, a sorority is definitely not for you. If the sorority and your sisters are important enough to you, you can handle this little issue. It's not all about YOU.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

Guess what? Back in the day people did things like get photos printed and mail them. Or make photo albums. Why in god's name is it going to kill you to not post this stuff on FACEBOOK?

Are you just bored and want to argue? Because otherwise you don't seem like you have the right attitude to be in any organized club or team. This is beating the dead horse into a pulp. You chose to go greek, and part of that is making small sacrifices. This is absolutely 100% a SMALL sacrifice. If you need things to be YOUR way ALL the time, a sorority is definitely not for you. If the sorority and your sisters are important enough to you, you can handle this little issue. It's not all about YOU.

Check your PMs please.

[33girl]

This kid is awesome.

And he made a very good point.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

My only issue here is that I have sense enough to realize that it's not going to kill me to not post every single picture that I want to post on facebook. Fortunately, I'm able to accept that being part of a group means making small sacrifices and compromises. This is a VERY small thing to ask.

Right, they could be tagged by someone else. You untag them. Unless they were drinking in letters, drinking underage, or are absolutely out of control, no one's going to bring them up. They can't control who has a camera at the bar.

You just can't explain why it is THAT important. We're talking facebook. I know it's fun to make photo albums, BUT your friends probably aren't going to cry themselves to sleep at night if they miss that one picture from the bar or that one picture on vacation.

I agree.

[adpiucf]

For Pete's Sake. You joined the sorority chapter. This is a rule at the chapter. If you don't like it, there's the door. There's no fundamental right to post photos of yourself with alcohol on the internet. Period.

No one is trying to deny anyone's legal right to drink or to take photos. But everything that you post on the internet has the potential to become public, even if you keep your profile on private.

You know how during recruitment you want your sorority to be seen as the best and most desirable? This ties into all of that. We want to have a clean-cut image. By passing and enforcing this rule, your sorority is attempting to take part in a larger public relations and image building campaign to show its community, its members, its members parents and others that sorority women are not a bunch of drunken slobs, contrary to media stereotypes.

If you don't like the rule, try to change it through the proper channels OR get out of the sorority. I don't see this rule being changed even if it comes up for a vote. Back in my day, we didn't have Facebook or MySpace and we still had rules that you couldn't have photos of members with alcohol. You never knew who could get their hands on them and make snap judgments about your sorority.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

You know what I'd do if *I* made the rules? As long as the person isn't WEARING LETTERS/Letters aren't in the photo, then it should be okay. But I don't make the rules. I just don't think some of the regs are all that considerate of some cultures at times. It's only a personal opinion...that's all.

Assuming that the person is of legal drinking age, I'm in agreement with the rule that you'd make, assuming, of course, that there wasn't anything else wrong with the picture.

A photo of a legally adult young woman with a glass of wine really isn't that big a deal one way or the other. I don't think a GLO is harmed by it.

On the other hand, as I mentioned above, I can see why it's a easier to say all alcohol photos are forbidden to avoid trying to regulate which are acceptable and which are not. Who would want to take on that job? Keg stand, no; champagne at wedding toast, yes; shooters at spring break, probably not; etc, etc, etc.