Sometimes we all do foolish things. Putting a picture showing oneself having a good time at a party on MySpace is probably considered routine by a lot of people. Who would think that it could change one's future?
A woman denied a teaching degree on the eve of graduation because of a MySpace photo has sued the university.
Millersville University instead granted Stacy Snyder a degree in English last year after learning of her Web-published picture, which bore the caption "Drunken Pirate."
"I dreamed about being a teacher for a long time," said Snyder, 27, who now works as a nanny.
The photo, taken at a 2005 Halloween party, shows Snyder wearing a pirate hat while drinking from a plastic "Mr. Goodbar" cup. It was posted on her own MySpace site.
Jane S. Bray, dean of the School of Education, accused Snyder of promoting underage drinking, the suit states.
The federal lawsuit seeks at least $75,000 in damages. Millersville spokeswoman Janet Kacskos referred questions to a state System of Higher Education spokesman, who declined comment.
There probably needs to be a class in middle school advising students of possible repercussions when placing questionable pictures and comments on the internet for all to see. I recently read where companies are starting to look on the internet when considering future employees. One man wondered why he wasn't getting job interviews until he realized it was due to comments he had previously made online. My mother used to say that you are judged by the company you keep. While this is still true, technology has added a new twist. Students need to be aware that some colleges and prospective employers are judging them by the pictures and comments they post.