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TechnographJuicy Campus fuels rumors, hurt feelings
Anonymous online 'burn book' has many worried about effects
By Jill Lowthian
Posted: 2/13/08 Section: News
For gossip lovers on campus, Juicycampus.com may become their new home page. However, for others, the Web site may bring feelings of embarrassment and anger.
The Juicy Campus Web site allows college students to anonymously post their thoughts about anything on multiple blogs. The Web site recently added the University to its database of 58 colleges nationwide.
Matt Ivester is the founder of the Web site, which launched in October 2007. He said the Web site was meant for entertainment and light-hearted gossip.
"I think on college campuses across the country, there are hilarious, entertaining and fun stories being made every day," Ivester said, "And Juicy Campus is a great place to collect those stories."
Despite this goal, a number of posts on the Web site may not seem like light-hearted entertainment. Some of the posts made to the Web site recently include "scoring cocaine on campus," "rankings of sororities," a list of students with STDs and many other posts that include students' names.
Justin Randall, Illinois Student Senate president and senior in LAS, said he heard about the Web site last week.
"A few people came to me a little bit concerned about the potential ramifications of an anonymous online burn book," Randall said.
Because of the amount of negative posts made by students, Randall said the Web site will cause more harm than good.
"I think it has the potential to do a lot of harm within personal relationships with people," Randall said. "It kind of creates this whole controversial he-said-she-said nature between people."
Despite his view of the Web site, Randall said there are no actions he can take to stop the postings.
"Frankly there's nothing as an institution that we can do because we can't track down who said the things," Randall said.
Randall said he plans to research the University Student Code in hopes of finding a way that the Student Senate can regulate the use of the Web site.
The Juicy Campus Web site allows college students to anonymously post their thoughts about anything on multiple blogs. The Web site recently added the University to its database of 58 colleges nationwide.
Matt Ivester is the founder of the Web site, which launched in October 2007. He said the Web site was meant for entertainment and light-hearted gossip.
"I think on college campuses across the country, there are hilarious, entertaining and fun stories being made every day," Ivester said, "And Juicy Campus is a great place to collect those stories."
Despite this goal, a number of posts on the Web site may not seem like light-hearted entertainment. Some of the posts made to the Web site recently include "scoring cocaine on campus," "rankings of sororities," a list of students with STDs and many other posts that include students' names.
Justin Randall, Illinois Student Senate president and senior in LAS, said he heard about the Web site last week.
"A few people came to me a little bit concerned about the potential ramifications of an anonymous online burn book," Randall said.
Because of the amount of negative posts made by students, Randall said the Web site will cause more harm than good.
"I think it has the potential to do a lot of harm within personal relationships with people," Randall said. "It kind of creates this whole controversial he-said-she-said nature between people."
Despite his view of the Web site, Randall said there are no actions he can take to stop the postings.
"Frankly there's nothing as an institution that we can do because we can't track down who said the things," Randall said.
Randall said he plans to research the University Student Code in hopes of finding a way that the Student Senate can regulate the use of the Web site.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Laura L. Hollis, JD
posted 2/13/08 @ 9:50 AM CST
It's not about "banning it" or not "banning it." Why should there have to be some legal policy about it? My recommendation to the students on this campus would be to act like grownups and not post insulting, humiliating content about others. (Continued…)
LOL
posted 2/13/08 @ 12:12 PM CST
Why must the Justin or the University take action against this website? How can Justin find a code to regulate the use of a website that everyone has a right to use? You cant ban someone from using a website. (Continued…)
OMG
posted 2/13/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
I'm sorry this isn't news and the Daily Illini shouldn't be a shill for this website. I know you guys are discontented to reality in your ivory tower but try to keep news relative to the general student body and not just the Greek Houses. (Continued…)
Juicy Lover
posted 2/13/08 @ 2:55 PM CST
Dear Daily Illini,
I had never heard of this juicycampus.com until you wrote your biting expose about it. However, in light of your jouralism prowess, I am now fully in love with this juicy campus. (Continued…)
LOL
posted 2/13/08 @ 7:10 PM CST
Message to DoucheBoy,
Who are you to analyze me ? What are your credentials ?
high school student
posted 3/27/08 @ 11:35 AM CST
i think this website is so funny and need to make one about high school LOL......NO LMAO.......
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