The Undergraduate Assembly passed a proposal in favor of an online facebook during their annual pre-Super Bowl meeting yesterday afternoon.
The proposal allows for students' PennCard photographs to be displayed alongside information -- such as e-mail addresses and phone numbers -- that is presently displayed on the online directory.
Unlike the current directory, photographs will only be accessible after PennKey log-in.
The decision was nearly unanimous, with only one dissenting vote.
Yale University, Washington University in St. Louis, Williams College and the Wharton MBA program have already instituted similar resources.
According to UA member Wesley Nakamura, who authored the proposal, the online facebook "would help to foster camaraderie and community."
The College sophomore also said that the online facebook "wouldn't replace the traditional facebook;" rather, it would act as a "supplement."
Nakamura cited some of the cons of the old print facebook.
"The [original] facebook tends to turn into a 'meat market,'" he said, referring to the fact that some flip through the pages to judge their peers' photographs.
But some students seem to have more serious issues with the new technologically advanced way of getting to know their classmates.
"The concerns that people have listed are privacy and stalking," Nakamura said.
To try to alleviate this concern, students will have the choice to opt out of the photo component of the online directory.
In a recent survey conducted by the UA, 25 percent of the 474-person respondent pool said that they would strongly consider not having their picture included.
However, over 71 percent of the students sampled said that the directory would be beneficial, and over 78 percent said they would use the directory.
"The overwhelming majority of the respondents are in favor of this proposal," UA Chairman and College senior Jason Levy said.
But the UA may face opposition from sources other than students.
"As it stands right now, [the University] can't use your PennCard picture online," said Nakamura, citing a current University privacy clause.
But Levy seems confident that the UA can convince the administration to modify this policy and accept their proposal.
"We're going to go full steam ahead to try to make sure this proposal is implemented," he said, adding that he is prepared to challenge the administration.
"We have reason on our side," he said. "Anything that they bring up we have really good counters to."
Levy also advocated the proposal because "the cost [of implementation] will be minimal as the University already has every person's PennCard picture."
