Spring Break
URI students get taste of 'juicy' gossip on Web site
Greg Gentile
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: News
10/30/08 - Gossip is something that all college students take part in. So why not make a place on the Internet for college students to gossip about one another?
JuicyCampus.com just had their one-year anniversary on Oct. 24. Creator Matt Ivester, a Duke University graduate, created the site as a place for college students to post crazy "hijinks" and stories of their college life in an anonymous forum.
But some students don't see it as a place to post college stories and harmless gossip. University of Rhode Island freshman Heather Girgenti called it "a modern day burn book."
Some believe the site pushes the boundaries of free speech, angers many adults and students, and is sparking controversy at college campuses throughout the country.
As of now, URI has roughly 300 posts on JuicyCampus.com. The topics range from the "sluttiest girls on campus," to hazing stories, to who has STIs and the "biggest butterfaces."
Those who post on the site remain completely anonymous. People can gossip and spread rumors about whomever and whatever they want while hiding behind the shadow of their computer screens.
Ivester said he made the site anonymous because he felt students would be more likely to tell stories - especially the "juicy" ones.
"[It is] completely unethical," said URI journalism professor John Pantalone. "You have the right to speak your mind, but not to humiliate people."
Some of the students at URI share the same thoughts as Pantalone. "There is no truth in it," junior Kim Errico said.
Pantalone said the site is an inappropriate use of the First Amendment.
When JuicyCampus.com first appears on the screen, there is an immediate warning that pops up explaining the content is inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18.
According to Reno vs. American Civil Liberties Union, age discrimination is illegal. "We don't want minors," Ivester said.
Pantalone said Ivester may have created a warning knowing "he is doing something he shouldn't be doing."
JuicyCampus.com just had their one-year anniversary on Oct. 24. Creator Matt Ivester, a Duke University graduate, created the site as a place for college students to post crazy "hijinks" and stories of their college life in an anonymous forum.
But some students don't see it as a place to post college stories and harmless gossip. University of Rhode Island freshman Heather Girgenti called it "a modern day burn book."
Some believe the site pushes the boundaries of free speech, angers many adults and students, and is sparking controversy at college campuses throughout the country.
As of now, URI has roughly 300 posts on JuicyCampus.com. The topics range from the "sluttiest girls on campus," to hazing stories, to who has STIs and the "biggest butterfaces."
Those who post on the site remain completely anonymous. People can gossip and spread rumors about whomever and whatever they want while hiding behind the shadow of their computer screens.
Ivester said he made the site anonymous because he felt students would be more likely to tell stories - especially the "juicy" ones.
"[It is] completely unethical," said URI journalism professor John Pantalone. "You have the right to speak your mind, but not to humiliate people."
Some of the students at URI share the same thoughts as Pantalone. "There is no truth in it," junior Kim Errico said.
Pantalone said the site is an inappropriate use of the First Amendment.
When JuicyCampus.com first appears on the screen, there is an immediate warning that pops up explaining the content is inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18.
According to Reno vs. American Civil Liberties Union, age discrimination is illegal. "We don't want minors," Ivester said.
Pantalone said Ivester may have created a warning knowing "he is doing something he shouldn't be doing."
