Freshman Class Creates Controversial Facebook Page

Incoming freshmen this year may have been surprised by the amount of information people are willing to share when it comes to the class's Facebook page.

The page, titled "Lyndon State College Class of 2016," is unlike many that have come before it.

The first "hint" that it is not a school created page is the red solo cup icon when typing it into the search box. There are also restrictions to be part of the group.

The rules state, "Rules here are pretty simple: You must be going to Lyndon, you should be from the Class of 2016 or a transfer student (exceptions can be made), you can't be staff/faculty, you can't be an RA, you can't be a peer leader. Pretty simple."

Some freshmen think the page isn't worth posting on.

"I think it is really stupid . . . why would you post this kind of stuff on Facebook where everyone can see it?" said freshman Lynne Haynes. "For fun, I would read all the silly stuff people would say on there while I was at home over the summer and show it to people, too. They would laugh."

Haynes also said that the page gives LSC a bad reputation.

From chatting about where the best parties will be this weekend, to video taped rap battles in a freshman residential hall lounge, the list of things people will talk about on the site can be riveting. One student posted, "In desperate need of a cuddle buddy come to Arnold 4th floor 408. I have a medical disease where if I don't cuddle, I'll die."

And although many admit that posts are humorous, some could be interpreted as concerning - such as "how to avoid getting in trouble after coming back from a party," and statements that bash the work done by LSC's own public safety officers.

Some students know that this social networking site is not necessarily private. One female student went on to post, "You people are stupid to think that other people can't get on and see this such as public safety...it's called hacking." This sparked another student to reply, "So? Freedom of speech. I'm an American, I can say whatever the f--k I want."

Community members are concerned that the page might lead to the judgement of not only the class of 2016, but the student body and college as well. So far, there are only about 200 members on the page - about half of the incoming class.