One of the obvious reasons we are here at CSB/SJU is for our education. At a university with such great resources and facilities, I have become frustrated when trying to use them.
Our libraries have become overcrowded during busy hours of the day. It is annoying when I go to the library and find myself standing around waiting for a computer.
What becomes even more frustrating is strolling through the library and seeing a large number of the computers being used for Facebook. In an area designated for academics, such as the library, Facebook has no place.
It is no surprise that the majority of our school’s students have Facebook accounts.
According to the official Facebook web page, the average user spends 55 minutes on the website every day. I can’t say how many students spend this time on school computers, but a simple walk through the library is evidence enough that it happens.
A typical routine for many students is first to check their e-mails, to check their Facebook account and finally to get started on their work. Many times during the second step of the routine, students become distracted and take a lengthy detour. Here-in lies the problem our school is facing.
Students are occupying our limited number of computers to use non-academic websites. This leaves students who are eager to work standing around waiting on procrastinators.
It is unreasonable to suggest we block Facebook from school computers because the libraries are not always full. What I propose is that we create an unwritten rule saying: If the labs are full, don’t go on Facebook.
Let’s get our work done and move on out of courtesy for our fellow students. If you need to take a break from studying to check Facebook, then go ahead, do it on one of the many public computers outside of the library.
It is not right to occupy a library computer when other students need to get work done. It has never been acceptable for students to distract others and talk with friends in a library, so why should it be okay to socialize online when it harms the study environment of the library?
In a college setting where the focus should be on education, it makes perfect sense for the libraries to be used for educational purposes. I recognize that social networking plays an important role in getting a well-rounded college education.
However, there is a time and place for it.
Due to a large number of students sharing a limited number of school computers, we can’t avoid a crowded library. At the same time, it is painful to wait for a computer when there are numerous students logged on to Facebook.
When it comes down to it, Facebook wastes our time and occupies our resources. Let’s do something about it.
This is the opinion of David Kiesner, an SJU junior.