Scrolling down her computer screen, Dean of Student Life Alwina Bennett looks at her account on thefacebook. The site which started in February 2004, came to Brandeis in September and allows members to post pictures of themselves, along with other personal information to serve as an online directory that connects people through social networks, according to thefacebook's Web site.As she checks her profile, Bennett sees that she has five friend requests, other Facebook members who want to add Bennett to their list of friends. "Let's see who wants to be my friend."

The first name on the list read "Santa Claus." These fake names often pop up on thefacebook and at Brandeis also include Justice Louis Brandeis.

"Nope, sorry, don't do with fake people," Bennett said.

Next was Aroni Kestenbaum '08. "Do you know him?" Bennett asks before directing her attention to the next person requesting her friendship.

Third is Director of Student Development and Judicial Education Shawn McGuirk, who has posted a fake picture, as many Facebook members do. "[McGuirk] thinks he looks like Bill Murray. I wonder if that's really Shawn-I'm gonna just check." As Bennett peruses his profile, she decides "that sounds like him. I have three friends in common with him. All right, I'm willing to be Shawn's friend. I'll confirm Shawn."

The fourth name was Ezra Sternstein. Bennett exclaimed "oh the bookstore person" and accepted the friendship.

Bennett read the name "thefacebook whore" with disdain. "You know, why would anybody have that as their name if they wanted me to be their friend? I'm going to be friends with Aroni," referring to the student she asked about earlier.

Bennett also had two requests to join groups and she reasoned against signing up for either. "It's a little late to support Alison Schwartzbaum for Senator, and Books for Africa...they have to pick them up on a more regular basis for me to support them."

-Abra Lyons-Warren