I am on the board of a student organization. During a meeting, we discussed issues about Facebook and how some students were using it during class and using profanity. The instructor told us not to discuss anything outside of the meeting but to warn our peers. I warned a friend to not post inappropriate things. I think I also deleted some posts but do not remember exactly what.
The instructor asked me whether I had deleted something and I keep telling her that I don’t remember exactly what I deleted but she says that she does not believe me. She told me that if I do not admit that I did delete these specific posts, she will ask IT to find out who did. If it was me, she says that I will be expelled.
I do not know what to do. I really do not remember what exact posts I deleted. She says that deleting anything shows that I lack integrity because she told us not to take any action. She said it will be two write ups, one for deleting something on Facebook eventhough she told us not to do anything and second for lying to her. She also says that two write-ups means that I will be kicked out.
She says that once she gets IT involved, it will be out of the department and the issue will become a university issue and I will be kicked out for sure. Thus, she keeps forcing me to admit that I deleted these specific posts.
So my questions are:
Can IT really find out who deleted a post on a Facebook group?
Can they really kick me out just for deleting something on Facebook (that I did not post)?
She sound a bit extreme. Can't you get another mediator, someone like her supervisor or any other get peer, to be involved? And as for the write ups - why don't you write an account of your side of the story? Pretty much what you've done here but more formal, and specify that you don't remember which posts you deleted or not. You could hand it to the mediator to help resolve the issue.
No, they cannot find out who deleted a post on Facebook unless you used the campus network. Their monitoring tools may be able to detect who accessed Facebook when and where on campus but even then it is unlikely they can prove anything.
They cannot unless you were giving out confidential information or bullying someone. There is a thing called cyber crime.
Can they really kick me out just for deleting something on Facebook (that I did not post)?
They're not going to kick you out for deleting something on FB. It seems the teacher is telling you that the school has a policy that they can kick you out if you get 2 write-ups.
This is something you should be able to easily verify by reading your school handbook/policy. Somewhere among the school policies it should be actually written that the school can expel you for getting 2 write-ups. If you are unable to locate this on your own, simply go to the registrar's or dean's office and flat out ask them for a copy of the school's policy regarding expulsions.
Meanwhile, do NOT admit to anything. Stick to what you've told her so far…..that as far as you can remember, you did not delete those specific posts. If she threatens to get IT involved, tell her that's a decision only she can make and if she feels this situation warrants getting IT involved, then there's nothing you can do to stop her.
Also, if the teacher brings this up again, let her know that from now on, you would prefer that she communicate with you regarding this matter through e-mail OR letters because you would like to have written records of all communication and avoid any misunderstandings. Politely refuse to have any further face-to-face/phone conversation with her regarding this. Afterwards, send her an e-mail repeating this.
Like Paheli said, if this teacher is serious...STOP any verbal communication with her. And communicate only through email so there's a record. She sounds like a bully to me so don't admit anything and have everything in writing.
If it was your own facebook page you edited or deleted from, the school has no right to stop you. However, if you deleted something posted by others on say, the school's official webpage, then they may have a case. Or if you deleted anything that you had posted on behalf of the school, that might be an issue too. You should check if the school has any policy related to this.
Re. what IT can find out - it depends. They can find out if you accessed facebook.com on a particular day(s) and time. I don't think they can find out what specific actions you took on facebook. If they're really serious, they may contact facebook to get more detailed access logs, but companies like facebook require a strong reason (like a police case) for them to share user info. Someone merely making a request will not cut it. I seriously doubt your university will go to these lengths to make trouble for you.
As Paheli said, definitely communicate with this instructor in a written form only. Save all emails you've sent and received from her (yes, she does sound like a bully!). Also get someone to mediate so you can present your case fairly. Good luck!
She said she will write me up once and the faculty will not be allowed to write me any letter of recommendations anymore.
My new question is:
Do grad schools call previous colleges to ask questions? Because now she was telling me that if any schools call, they will not recommend me.
