Oxford looks to Facebook for evidence

Published: July 17, 2007 at 3:30 PM

OXFORD, England, July 17 (UPI) -- Authorities at Oxford University in Britain are using photographic evidence posted on the social networking site Facebook to discipline students.

The proctors, Oxford's disciplinary body, are mailing the downloaded photos to students as evidence of breaches of the university's code of conduct by undergraduates celebrating the end of exams, The Guardian reported Tuesday.

Fines of nearly $200 are being doled out to students deemed to be guilty of "trashing" fellow students -- a practice that involves covering a comrade in champagne, confetti, flour, raw meat, octopus and other foodstuffs.

The Oxford University Student Union is advising students to set their Facebook privacy settings to keep the proctors out.

"While the Student Union does not condone unruly, violent or disorderly behavior, we believe that the privacy of our members should be protected and that disciplinary procedures at all levels within the University should be fair and transparent," said Martin McCluskey, president of the union.

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (8 min)
Manufacturing showed growth in November (15 min)
Carolina's Corvo put on injured reserve (17 min)
Pending home sales on record streak (18 min)
Construction outlays flat in October (24 min)
Vandeweghe takes over winless Nets (40 min)
Home prices increase in Britain (54 min)
fark
Seven inventors who need a kick square in the balls
Needy kids who would like a free toy for Christmas, take one step forward. NOT SO FAST, illegal...
Yet again proving that priorities can be totally out of order, among the gems found in Vincent Van...
Like many a Farker, new Sam Adams Utopia beer is already banned in 13 states
South Africa announces new policy of treating all HIV-positive babies. As opposed to their previous...
The next time you get stuck in a toilet, make sure you try the Handel