Hofstra "gossip" pages need to stop
Photo courtesy of Ben White via Unsplash
The Hofstra “gossip” Instagram accounts need to stop. Accounts such as @hofstrabeef, @hofstramissedconnections and @hofconfessions are ridiculous. We’re all at an age where we should be able to have a civil conversation on the malice or drama felt toward each other.
Posting it anonymously only stirs the pot and creates more drama and gossip. If you don’t like someone, then stay away from them; don’t hide behind the anonymity of your screen and slander someone. As college students, we are all adults. There is no reason that members of the Hofstra community should resort to submitting secrets and stories to be posted on social media. Be a grown-up and handle the situation with maturity, because we, as students, are far too old for “playground gossip.”
Especially seeing that the gossip is typically about something personal or private, as an outsider, I don’t need to know these things. If you take issue with something that someone is doing, just say something to them; the student body doesn’t need to hear about it.
The information being published is typically not just personal but also vile. Several of the accounts have posted about having intercourse inside and outside of multiple class buildings. I take issue with posting this to social media, because some of these actions aren’t legal.
They are classified as serious misdemeanors and are punishable with jail time and up to $500 in fines. There are serious consequences to many of the acts that have been featured on these pages.
These pages also use the logo of Hofstra University as their profile pictures, inadvertently linking the university to the pages and their content. All that does is cause issues because the university does not allow their logo to be used in such a manner. Hofstra’s logo is supposed to represent the school and what it stands for, and these pages posting vulgar and obscene things are not what Hofstra represents.
Given that our mascot is the Pride, our school’s logo should represent the pride our students have in attending Hofstra University, which is far and away the opposite of what these pages promote.
I also don’t take kindly to people posting about what they are doing in bed or elsewhere without a discretion warning. These pages are public, so anybody, including people under the age of 18, can see this content whenever and wherever they want. This can be seen by incoming students or potential new students, and it may scare them away from the university as a whole.
The pages also frequently post statements submitted about sexual assault or Title IX allegations, things that aren’t to be taken lightly. This can also be problematic for both student organizations and the university, as both must jump through hoops to verify what’s real and what’s not.
Many posts also include the names of individuals in statements that are submitted, which is a complete and utter invaision of privacy.
Some poor kid could be minding their own business and suddenly their actions are subject to public scrutiny – so now Hofstra students must be wary of their every move.
Some of the messages posted are merely people complaining about roommates or classmates being annoying and reveal personal information that makes the person recognizable.
Obviously, if one’s actions are horrid they’ll be judged by the student body, but if it’s something menial than these posts are obnoxious.
We are more mature than this. If you take issue with something going on at Hofstra, then report it to people in leadership positions who are equipped to handle conflicts or speak to the person directly.
All posting it online does is create drama rather than actually solve any issues. Can we all act our age and stop resorting to anonymous gossip?
