College students tend to use Facebook as a tool for procrastination from their studies, but some students at Binghamton University may now use the Web site to help focus academic careers.

Academic advisers from Harpur College of Arts and Sciences created a Facebook group last week in an effort to reach students within the school and keep them up to speed on important information through the popular site.

Within 24 hours of being created, the group had over 600 members from Binghamton University.

Ashley Brisco, a general academic adviser in Harpur and creator of the Facebook group, said that staff members initially were not expecting such high numbers.

“We were surprised that so many students would be accepting of the group,” she said. “We see it as something really helpful, so we are looking forward to it.”

The group’s page includes announcements of important dates throughout the semester and updates on deadlines, according to Brisco. Creators are also looking to add new features to the site down the road.

“We are thinking of coming up with a question of the week, according to what students are asking, or what time of the semester it is,” she said. “I think I will eventually open it up to some comments, there is no wall on the group right now, but perhaps eventually make a blog, or have students comment to each other regarding advising.”

Brisco hopes that the group will act as a source for students to become up-to-date on campus issues.

“It is a way to put relevant Web sites from around campus into one place so students can click the links to learn more about what they are interested in, one-stop shopping,” she added.

Larry Greenfield, director of Academic Advising for Harpur College, said members of the office have been “looking for a broader way to get info to students over the years,” and the online group is “just another way to do it.”

“This is such a new tool for the office that we are still figuring out how to use it,” he said.

The introduction of the Facebook page is not intended to be a replacement of the traditional e-mail system the office members rely on, but rather an additional source for students, Brisco said.

“[Facebook] is not better than e-mail, just a different way of reaching the students,” she added. “There will be information coming from two places so students are more likely to see it. Students may pay more attention to the information on Facebook, but that just depends on the person.”

According to Greenfield, the new component is one of several attempts by advisers to reach the student body.

“This site gives us the opportunity for us to meet the students where they are,” Greenfield said. “We know students do spend a lot of time on Facebook. We also go to residential halls, and do what we can to meet the students where they are.”

Senior psychology major Mara Linek said she joined the group because of the academic advantages it offered.

“I seem to spend so much time on Facebook compared to the Binghamton Web site anyway,” Linek said. “This seemed like a convenient way to keep on top of deadlines, and to socially be connected to an academic source.”

In the future the group may be broken down by year, and creators may generate a Facebook listserv for each class of students, so that if there is something relevant to a certain year only those specific students will be notified.

“I joined the group because the more reminders about important academic dates I get, the better,” said Laura Rafael, a sophomore psychology major. “I also joined in hopes to connect with more people with my same major that I may not be able to meet because I do not have class with them.”

There are also plans to put “something motivational on the Web site,” like “a pick-me-up,” or elements to show that advisers are “friendly and want to help,” Brisco said.

In addition to the new Facebook group, Harpur College recently set up a brand new Web site.

“This office has really tried a number of new things technologically, to make it possible for students to get information as quickly and as effectively as possible,” Greenfield said.