Facebook the Leading Online Academic Distraction

EVANSTON, IL – Millions of college students across America are addicted to something. It’s not pornography, it’s not gambling, and it’s certainly not their textbooks – it’s their Facebook accounts. Last month, 30 billion pages were viewed at Facebook.com, an online social networking site popular among college students. Although many of its almost 18 million users agree that Facebook is an incredible social tool, a recent study indicates that it is the most prevalent online addiction on American campuses.

And maybe the most prevalent academic distraction, too.

“Facebook is a great social asset, but when you log on, one thing leads to another,” said Teddy McClain, a sophomore at Northwestern University studying human development. “You can easily be consumed by it when you shouldn’t be, like when you should be doing schoolwork.”

The study, conducted at Bridgewater State College, shows that 51.3% of college students rank Facebook as the number one online addiction on campus. 81.4% rank it either first or second. Other common distractions, such as instant messaging and video games, accounted for considerably smaller percentages.

“I use other computer programs and sites, but not anywhere near as much as I use my Facebook,” said Amy Foran, another Northwestern sophomore. “Facebook has allowed me to stay in contact with tons of people, but at the same time it’s a virtual black hole. It sucks away countless hours from my schoolwork.”

Daniela Karidi, a Northwestern teaching assistant for Statistics in Communication Sciences and Disorders, does not believe Facebook is particularly addicting compared to other potential distractions.

“I don’t think it’s different from any other distracter,” said Karidi, 31. “I don’t think that specifically, Facebook is a different distraction than AIM or checking email. There are a percentage of people who are easily distracted and will do it, no matter what the distraction.”

Sally Chung, a Northwestern freshman, feels that Facebook does, in fact, maintain certain attributes that make it more distracting and addictive than other online outlets.

“The problem with Facebook is that it’s not one of those sites that you can just check for one thing,” said Chung, 18. “Person to person, picture to picture, wall to wall, it’s a series of connections. It’s really ridiculous.”

Facebook.com’s formal features may not be the only reasons for its seemingly distractive nature throughout academia. Some students believe that at least part of the blame lies with the universities themselves, as they do not always create an incentive to avoid distraction.

“Five minute breaks turn into distraction,” said Chung. “[Facebook] is a lot more entertaining than reading texts. It doesn’t help that there’s no real check on reading. Nobody checks in big lecture classes.”

David Stehura, a Northwestern sophomore, feels that many colleges’ insistence on the use of technology may be another outside factor that facilitates Facebook and other online distractions.

“A lot of our work requires computer access and it’s hard to resist logging in [to Facebook] for the distraction,” said Stehura, 19. “It comes with the times, but if you’re schoolwork calls for a computer and the Internet, you are more likely to be tempted.”

While most students and educators agree that Facebook serves as a leading distraction from schoolwork, it is unclear just how much of an effect it has on academic performance.

“[Facebook] definitely has not helped me, but it hasn’t severely hindered my academic life,” said Sarah Kessler, a freshman at Northwestern.

McClain, 19, however, feels that Facebook has clearly hindered her academic efforts, and those of other students she knows.

“I constantly use Facebook as a mechanism to avoid doing my schoolwork or other things,” said McClain. “I’ve heard so many people say, ‘I’m going to stop going on Facebook tonight and do my work.’ But really they don’t.”

Sophomore Amy Foran says she knows of only one sure way to not be distracted by Facebook – not having one.

“[Facebook] is very distracting for many of my peers,” said Foran. “In fact, many people deactivate their accounts for finals week, just so that they are not in a position to deny the temptation to check their accounts. It’s really the only way.

“As a social networking site, [Facebook] is useful for its purpose,” she said. “It allows you to keep in touch with people that you would probably loose contact with otherwise. But it can be distracting and detrimental to your academic life.”

Plus: Laptops in the Classroom

Hand in hand with the recent Facebook epidemic is the issue of laptops in classrooms. According to the Bridgewater State College study, over 30% of college students either always or sometimes bring their laptops to class. Of those students who always bring their laptops, 24.2% of them reported that they “seldom” or “never” use their computers to take notes.

“In class, it’s very easy to find yourself distracted,” said Northwestern sophomore Amy Foran. “It’s easy to do other things instead of doing work or taking notes. I think that’s the reason most students bring their computers to class.”

It has become common practice across America for some professors to ban laptops from their classes, and the Bridgewater study suggests that such an approach may be beneficial. The study revealed that 47.8% of students found the presence of others’ laptops to be at least somewhat distracting.

Northwestern teaching assistant Daniela Karidi, though, feels that the benefits of using laptops in the classroom outweigh the cons.

“In spite of the potential distractions, laptops in classrooms are necessary,” said Karidi. “In an imaginary perfect world, you would disconnect to the Internet.”

AIDS Study Shows Increased Risk for Heterosexuals

EVANSTON, IL - A recent study conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation indicates that heterosexual men account for a growing proportion of new AIDS cases in America. Despite common misconceptions, the foundation’s analysis illustrates a clear decrease in cases involving homosexual men, and an increase in cases involving women.

According to the study, heterosexual transmission was responsible for 31% of newly diagnosed American cases in 2005. Heterosexual transmission accounted for only 3% of cases 20 years earlier.

This increase in heterosexual exchange is coupled with a 22% decrease in transmission between homosexual men over the same period. Between 1985 and 2005, cases attributed to sex between men fell from 65% to 43%.

“Those numbers don’t really surprise me at all,” said Rachel Hirsch, a sophomore at Northwestern University. “AIDS doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t choose a community to infect. Everybody has to be cautious, not just homosexual men.”

The study also indicates a large increase of AIDS cases involving women. In 1985 women accounted for 8% of American cases. In 2005, 27% of new AIDS victims were women, and of those women two thirds were African American.

Jasmyn Jones, the president of Northwestern’s HIV/AIDS Literacy Organization, says she is aware of the inaccuracy of certain stereotypes surrounding the AIDS epidemic.

“Evolutionarily, HIV/AIDS is associated with white gay men,” said Jones, 20. “But it has become a disease that affects women – and even more – minority women.”

According to the Kaiser study, homosexuals did account for 58% of men diagnosed with AIDS in 2005. However, 42% of male transmission was heterosexual. Such a high proportion demonstrates the misleading nature of calling AIDS the “Gay Disease.”

Krissy Schanbacher, another Northwestern sophomore, says she has heard erroneous references to AIDS for years and hopes studies like those of the Kaiser Foundation will help to reduce faulty stereotypes.

“False precepts die hard,” said Schanbacher. “A lot of people who make sweeping generalizations about those affected by the AIDS virus are usually just uninformed. The truth is right there if you aren’t too ignorant to see it.”

Marcus Randle, the Program Coordinator for the Carepoint Adult, Child & Family Association, says he has numerous homosexual and heterosexual clients. Many are also women who are involved in high-risk sexual relations with men who have HIV or AIDS.

“The stereotype is incorrect at this point,” said Randle. “The gay community has spent 25 years fighting the disease and they are actually on the forefront of the battle against it. They have the most knowledge and have seen the most people die from AIDS.”

Fans: Confidence in the Cubbies?

EVANSTON, IL - Although the Chicago Cubs spent over $300 million this offseason, their league-worst 66-96 record has left some fans weary of high expectations for 2007. With preseason games set to begin, an informal poll of Evanston residents indicates that some fans are more confident in the new-look Cubs than others.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” said Alex Obal, 19. “I mean, they lost 96 games last year. That said, they added a lot of talent through free agency and they play in the least threatening division in baseball.”

In a 2006 season marred with injuries, the Cubs hobbled to their worst record in 7 years. Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, two of the most prominent pitchers on Chicago’s roster, combined for only 13 starts. Derrek Lee, who had won the batting title the year before, missed 112 games after fracturing his wrist in April.

The Cubs were very active this offseason in an effort to avoid another horrid season. Chicago’s winter shopping spree was highlighted by the signing of Alfonso Soriano, arguably the biggest bat on the market, to an 8-year, $136 million contract. The Cubs also added starting pitchers Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis for a total of $61 million, and signed Mark DeRosa to play second base.

“Personally, I’m psyched,” said Chenfei Lu, 21. “Last year a lot of things went wrong, but most of it was uncontrollable. If the pitching stays healthy, the addition of Soriano can really bring the Cubs to the next level.”

Pitching health seems to be a key issue among even the most optimistic of Cubs fans. Rhine Misso, a self-proclaimed Cubs enthusiast, says that if Prior and Wood can stay off the disabled list, he expects the Cubs to be playing in October.

“Realistically, with a healthy pitching staff, they should have a 20-game win increase,” said Misso, 20. “Saying that, they had 66 wins last season. 86 wins should be good enough to win the [National League] Central or put them in a wildcard spot.”

Healthy pitchers or not, many fans are only cautiously optimistic about the 2007 season, with last year’s 96 losses still lingering in their minds. The Cubs, after all, have not won a World Series since 1908.

“They had a great offseason, but it’s the Cubs, so I try not to get too excited,” said Ashley Lipinski, 19. “I like our odds, but odds have gotten the better of this team for almost 100 years.”

Scott Gannon, a lifelong Cubs fan, shares similar sentiments, and recalls other occasions when the Cubs seemed to have all the pieces together.

“They’re heartbreakers, man,” said Gannon, 23. “The Soriano pickup is huge, and [new manager Lou] Piniella is a great leader. Realistically, I think they can win 85 games. You want them to win, but it’s hard to put any money on it after all that has happened.”

Transfer Student: NU vs. UofC

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Name, year, hometown, major – the standard four-part introduction at college orientation. Efficient and continuous, the introduction’s predictability can only be broken by the likes of a transfer student. Suddenly, why and from where are two more vital issues. Transfers are just inherently interesting, and at Northwestern, a transfer from the University of Chicago is the most intriguing of them all. That student goes by the name of Katherine. Sort of.

Known legally as Carolin Louise Garcia Fine, the Evanston native had her name unofficially changed to Katherine as an infant.

“Six weeks after I came home from the hospital my parents decided that Carolin just didn’t fit,” said Fine, whose government documents still say Carolin.

Her name would not be the last major change of her life. After spending her freshman year at the University of Chicago, Fine decided to transfer into Northwestern.

“I met with the head of the [Northwestern classics] department when I was considering transferring,” said Fine. “The meeting with her got me really excited about the program and made me really want to go there.”

Katherine, 19, has already become an active sophomore at Northwestern. She is the Vice President of Member Education in the Delta Gamma sorority and she works part time as a research assistant. Fine considers herself extremely physically flexible and has mastered French, Spanish, and Latin.

A student of the classics and a sucker for anything antique, her dream is to one day work as an archaeologist.

“I've wanted to be an archaeologist since I saw Indiana Jones when I was eleven,” said Fine. “There's just something so exciting about trying to answer ancient questions and solve mysteries.”

To many Northwestern students, Katherine is a mystery herself. An eyebrow seems to rise every time she explains her shift from Chicago to Northwestern, two supposed rivals in an arms race for prestige. Is Chicago really as tough as they say? Do the students really think they are better? Nearly every day she is horded with questions.

“I think that a lot of [Chicago] students tried to act like there was a big rivalry between Chicago and Northwestern, but it seemed like it was one sided on Chicago’s part,” explained Fine. “It seemed more like Chicago students were trying really hard to act like they were a lot better academically and intellectually than Northwestern, but really Northwestern is just as tough.”

Very few students have spent extended time on both sides of the Chicago-area academic battlefield. Fine has come to terms that her introduction is just going to be that much longer for the next three years.

“If Katie’s not watching a Cubs game, reading a book, shopping, or knitting, she’s probably laughing with somebody about some Northwestern night,” said fellow transfer Ruben Navarro, who came from University of California, San Diego. “I wonder if she has less work here.”

National Student Debt Soars

EVANSTON, IL - Adam Arents mailed his first student loan payment this month. Like millions of other recent college graduates, he is beginning an uphill battle against debt.

“I always expected to be in debt,” Arents said. “Now I’m starting to feel the pinch.”

Arents, a 2006 graduate from Northwestern University, owes $15,000 in student loans over the next ten years. Others will not be as lucky.

Mathew Nusko, a current Northwestern sophomore, estimates that his debt will reach almost $180,000 by the time he graduates in 2009.

“I’m paying for everything entirely through loans,” Nusko said. “It’s just the way the system works. They overcharge you for your education. I come from middle-class America, but you can’t really do anything about it.”

With private school tuition rates on the rise, students and their parents are facing increasing pressure to borrow the money they cannot provide upfront. According to a 2004 study by the National Center for Educational Statistics, half of graduating seniors that attended private universities for four years have at least $19,500 in loans. One-fourth of the students have at least $28,000 in student loans.

Such findings have compelled organizations such as StudentPIRG, a grassroots movement founded in 1978, to focus on raising student awareness and confronting legislators about the rising price of education.

“The loan burden has just become overwhelming,” said Sasha Rosen, a campus organizer for StudentPIRG. “Students graduate and they have to push back marrying, having kids.”

Rosen also contributes to StudentDebtAlert.org, one of several new sites that offer a forum for the discussion on student debt. According to Rosen, anti-debt organizations like these recently achieved a tremendous legislative victory when Congress voted to cut federal interest rates on student loans in half on January 17^th.

Instead of relying solely on legislative action, some students choose to take matters into their own hands. All too often, however, this is not the case.

“There should be a mandatory class in college where students need to learn all the circumstances about student loans,” said Erin M., a team leader at EdAmerica. “It’s different case by case.”

According to Erin, who declined to release her last name due to company policy, students should consider options to alleviate debt such as consolidation, deferment, unsubsidized loans and forbearance.

“Students don’t take the two minutes it takes to learn about their loans,” Erin M. said. “Knowing about student loans is the difference between a $45,000 loan and a $30,000 loan.”

Northwestern, like most other private universities, maintains lists of preferred student lenders, such as EdAmerica or Sallie Mae. Students who have multiple loans often consult outside lenders that promise lower interest rates.

Charles Anderson, a student loan advisor with Student Lending and Consolidations, said the goal of the company is “to help people to consolidate college loans between lenders and students.” Anderson says that in general, federal loans are safer.

“I used to be very doubtful [of non-preferred lenders],” said Tatiana Rostovtseva, a sophomore at Northwestern University. “But if they can afford advertising, I don’t think they are a scam. If I were ever in a bunch of debt, I would use them.”

Other students are not as quick to trust these companies.

“I would never use one of those [get-out-of-debt-fast] sites,” said Akif Irfan, a Northwestern sophomore. “I feel like when it comes to issues with money, those are the times you want to stay away from less official resources.”

Regardless of how they choose to pay it off, debt is just a fact of life in the eyes of many students.

“I’ll be paying off my loans until I’m 46,” Rostovtseva said. “I’m used to being poor. It’s not really big deal.”

And as for Adam Arents, student debt has not detracted from his private school experience. He may not enjoy his first paycheck, but he has no regrets.

“I got a lot out of my education at Northwestern,” Arents said. “I worked with a lot of smart people and I had access to many resources. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would have done the same.”

*Medill students Paula Thornton and Libby Clarke co-wrote this story