Friend request denied.
A recent study has found that college professors are reluctant to interact with students on social networking sites like Facebook.
The study, a survey of pharmacy professors conducted by Ohio State University, found 100 percent of respondents with Facebook profiles would not send friend requests to their current students.
About half of the respondents had Facebook profiles, and most respondents ignored friend requests from students, especially those from current students.
Kent Filbel, communication studies instructor, said online interactions between faculty and students create a slippery slope.
“The status between student and teacher must be protected,” Filbel said. “Students shouldn’t perceive inequality in treatment based upon online ‘friendships.'”
Some students agree with this ideology.
“I’d deny a friend request from a teacher. I don’t think it’s appropriate,” said Alyse Bagley, nutritional sciences freshman.
Others, however, see Facebook as a new and innovative way for students and professors to communicate.
“Facebook has changed the teacher-to-student dynamic in many ways,” said Danny Shipka, mass communication assistant professor. “Students don’t want to go to office hours. Facebook is a medium which is much easier for students to embrace than face-to-face communication.”
In addition to standard office hours, Shipka said he had “virtual office hours” where students can chat him on Facebook and ask questions. Shipka has been interacting with students on Facebook for the past five to six years.
There is always the opportunity for unhealthy relationships online, Shipka said. He noted, however, that he has never had a problem with student interaction on Facebook.
Marian Wilson, communication studies senior, said she views Facebook as a convenient way to keep in touch with old professors. Wilson uses Facebook to keep in touch with a professor from whom she is hoping to get a letter of recommendation.
Some apprehension from students and teachers to connect via Facebook seems to stem from fear of encountering unprofessional behavior.
“If you mistakenly post a status about bad class behavior, it could reflect badly upon you,” said Jordan Early, mechanical engineering sophomore.
T. Gilmour Reeve, vice provost for Academic Affairs, advised students and professors to keep all interactions professional.
“Facebook provides an opportunity for interaction, the same as through e-mail,” Reeve said.
Reeve offered several common guidelines for navigating online interactions and relationships.
“Stay on relevant issues,” he said.
 
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Contact Josh Naquin at [email protected]