Brighton students left uneasy over ‘Spotted’ webpage

University of Sussex students are concerned about a Facebook page designed to post secret messages University of Sussex students are concerned about a Facebook page designed to post secret messages

A Facebook site designed to provide love in the library is causing a stir among academics.

Spotted is designed to allow people to secretly post messages to fellow students they have seen in the library and taken a shine to.

But the University of Sussex’s students’ union has received complaints from library users who say they are avoiding the building as they feel uncomfortable.

Messages on the Facebook page include the innocently worded: “To the tanned brunette sitting in the upstairs social area, you remind me of a mature Princess Jasmine, can I be your Aladdin and fly you away on my magic carpet?”

But many more are considerably cruder, leading to complaints from the student body.

The students’ union confirmed it had had a “significant amount” of people contact it over the past two to three weeks.

A member of the university’s Women’s Group said: “When I was first introduced to Spotted it made me feel horrific.

“I feel like I can’t go into the library.”

Students’ Union president Kelly McBride said the content of the site went against the university’s zero tolerance policy on discrimination and harassment.

She added: “The issue is also on the radar of NUS as Spotted pages have increasingly been cropping up at institutions across the UK.

“We have alerted the university to students’ concerns, and would like to work with them to address any issues that may arise.”

Students uneasy

The University of Sussex Library tweeted: “We’ve heard that some students are uneasy about using the library as a result of Spotted: University of Sussex Library Facebook page.

“We are determined to do what we can to ensure that our users do not feel compromised when studying in this building.

“If you are concerned whilst using the library, please visit the Info Hub or Reception Desk where our staff would be pleased to advise.

“We all want the best possible study environment here, so please be considerate of the feelings and privacy of others.”

The students’ union said it did not know who ran the webpage, which also has similar sites for several universities, including Brighton.

Talking point: To what extent are 'spotted' pages fun or harassment? Share your views by commenting below or write in to The Argus letters pages letters@theargus.co.uk

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Comments(22)

rubberflipper says...
2:37pm Wed 6 Feb 13

While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!

Crystal Ball says...
3:03pm Wed 6 Feb 13

So the only place someone will be spotted is the library? What a bunch of sensitive little flowers they are.

mimseycal says...
3:38pm Wed 6 Feb 13

Precious people ... for pity's sake. The only difference is that they are not just thinking it but posting it, anonymously, on some website. How sad is that!

Sussex jim says...
3:44pm Wed 6 Feb 13

If I saw a young lady that I fancied, I would go over and talk to her, face to face. What's love on a website?
(Not now,of course!)

theleftygiraffe says...
5:01pm Wed 6 Feb 13

rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
A university Women's Group is a group designed to try and support specifically women at a university, seeing as many consider them to be discriminated against. No need to try and slur them with your misconceptions on politics or sexual preferences.

AmboGuy says...
6:27pm Wed 6 Feb 13

theleftygiraffe wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
A university Women's Group is a group designed to try and support specifically women at a university, seeing as many consider them to be discriminated against. No need to try and slur them with your misconceptions on politics or sexual preferences.
Well that told you, consider yourself a very naught little boy.

Roundbill says...
9:26pm Wed 6 Feb 13

Do it to other Metro-reading commuters, it's cute & romantic: do it to other Facebook-using students, it's oppressive and stalky. Funny old world...

PorkBoat says...
9:59pm Wed 6 Feb 13

What an oversensitive, pathetic bunch of...students. "Oooh, I daren't go in the library in case someone sees me!". Turn the hoses on them!

D360 says...
10:32pm Wed 6 Feb 13

This is called "missed connections" in the Metro and other newspapers and local radio worldwide, get over it and stop moaning

Bad enough that such a thing as the "University’s Women’s Group" exists, let alone the Argus went to them for comment.

I like the quote concerning the "university’s zero tolerance policy on discrimination and harassment." That is the first time I have heard of this policy from a University notorious for discriminating and harassing any person, company or organisation that doesn't subscribe to their militant, ultra-left agenda.

medianscore says...
10:31am Thu 7 Feb 13

theleftygiraffe wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
A university Women's Group is a group designed to try and support specifically women at a university, seeing as many consider them to be discriminated against. No need to try and slur them with your misconceptions on politics or sexual preferences.
What a pathetic attempt to try and hide the blatant sexist attitude of a bunch of Marxists.

The University has always had a very active female proportion of students who have always been inclusive. That's what the University has stood for since its conception back in the 1960's.

I entirely agree with the top comment because women are NOT discriminated against at Sussex. So stick that in your nickers!

whereisthe...? says...
12:40pm Thu 7 Feb 13

rubberflipper says...

and

medianscore says..


Absolutely spot on. Nice to see some common sense come back to the boards, and see people not afraid to say it too. Seems almost impossible to debate issues surrounding women openly, and frankly, without childish attacks in response.


Lately, feminism seems to have become a front for some rather bitter, damaged people to lash out and tell everyone to do everything their way. The definition of feminism is EQUALITY. Its getting harder and harder to find ANY feminists who understand this, and instead want favouritism for EVERYTHING.

Peteinblack says...
2:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
I think your post is at least as daft.

So all women who object to being sexually harrassed or subjected to lewd comments by boorish men must be 'Communists' or 'Lesbians'?

I think you reveal far more about yourself and your narrow-minded views with such a ridiculous comment.

The type of men who slag of Feminism are precisely the kind of men who make Feminism necessary - an irony which, I suspect, most such men don't have the wisdom to appriciate!

Peteinblack says...
2:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

theleftygiraffe wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
A university Women's Group is a group designed to try and support specifically women at a university, seeing as many consider them to be discriminated against. No need to try and slur them with your misconceptions on politics or sexual preferences.
Well said!

Peteinblack says...
2:38pm Thu 7 Feb 13

whereisthe...? wrote:
rubberflipper says...

and

medianscore says..


Absolutely spot on. Nice to see some common sense come back to the boards, and see people not afraid to say it too. Seems almost impossible to debate issues surrounding women openly, and frankly, without childish attacks in response.


Lately, feminism seems to have become a front for some rather bitter, damaged people to lash out and tell everyone to do everything their way. The definition of feminism is EQUALITY. Its getting harder and harder to find ANY feminists who understand this, and instead want favouritism for EVERYTHING.
You claim that it is 'almost impossible to debate issues surrounding women openly, and frankly, without childish attacks in response.'

Yet surely 'rubberflipper's' post (which you are defendig) is a classic example of such attacks - any woman who wants equality, and not to suffer sexual abuse, must be a 'Communist', 'lesbian or 'man-hater'.

PorkBoat says...
3:46pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Peteinblack wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
I think your post is at least as daft.

So all women who object to being sexually harrassed or subjected to lewd comments by boorish men must be 'Communists' or 'Lesbians'?

I think you reveal far more about yourself and your narrow-minded views with such a ridiculous comment.

The type of men who slag of Feminism are precisely the kind of men who make Feminism necessary - an irony which, I suspect, most such men don't have the wisdom to appriciate!
What "men" like you don't realise, is that you think you will make women like you, by sucking up to them and grovelling and toadying to their every whim. In reality, women detest wimps like you, they laugh at you and your pathetic attempts to ingratiate themselves. What they really want, even if they won't admit it themselves, is a **** who treats them like ****. They'll go back time and time again to men like this,and when they are all shagged out, in 20 years time, they'll click their fingers, and someone like you will come scurrying along, like a faithful puppy that's been waiting for it's master. Then they'll settle down, get fat, and nag you til you die.

Peteinblack says...
3:52pm Thu 7 Feb 13

PorkBoat wrote:
Peteinblack wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
I think your post is at least as daft.

So all women who object to being sexually harrassed or subjected to lewd comments by boorish men must be 'Communists' or 'Lesbians'?

I think you reveal far more about yourself and your narrow-minded views with such a ridiculous comment.

The type of men who slag of Feminism are precisely the kind of men who make Feminism necessary - an irony which, I suspect, most such men don't have the wisdom to appriciate!
What "men" like you don't realise, is that you think you will make women like you, by sucking up to them and grovelling and toadying to their every whim. In reality, women detest wimps like you, they laugh at you and your pathetic attempts to ingratiate themselves. What they really want, even if they won't admit it themselves, is a **** who treats them like ****. They'll go back time and time again to men like this,and when they are all shagged out, in 20 years time, they'll click their fingers, and someone like you will come scurrying along, like a faithful puppy that's been waiting for it's master. Then they'll settle down, get fat, and nag you til you die.
Meanwhile, for those of us who have evolved, left the cave behind, and progressed to the 21st Century..........

Peteinblack says...
3:55pm Thu 7 Feb 13

PorkBoat wrote:
Peteinblack wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
I think your post is at least as daft.

So all women who object to being sexually harrassed or subjected to lewd comments by boorish men must be 'Communists' or 'Lesbians'?

I think you reveal far more about yourself and your narrow-minded views with such a ridiculous comment.

The type of men who slag of Feminism are precisely the kind of men who make Feminism necessary - an irony which, I suspect, most such men don't have the wisdom to appriciate!
What "men" like you don't realise, is that you think you will make women like you, by sucking up to them and grovelling and toadying to their every whim. In reality, women detest wimps like you, they laugh at you and your pathetic attempts to ingratiate themselves. What they really want, even if they won't admit it themselves, is a **** who treats them like ****. They'll go back time and time again to men like this,and when they are all shagged out, in 20 years time, they'll click their fingers, and someone like you will come scurrying along, like a faithful puppy that's been waiting for it's master. Then they'll settle down, get fat, and nag you til you die.
Maybe this pearl of wisdom reflects the kind of women you associate with - like attracting like?

Presumably you like your women all 'girlie' and submissive so you can pretend to be a 'real' man.

PorkBoat says...
4:00pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Peteinblack wrote:
PorkBoat wrote:
Peteinblack wrote:
rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
I think your post is at least as daft.

So all women who object to being sexually harrassed or subjected to lewd comments by boorish men must be 'Communists' or 'Lesbians'?

I think you reveal far more about yourself and your narrow-minded views with such a ridiculous comment.

The type of men who slag of Feminism are precisely the kind of men who make Feminism necessary - an irony which, I suspect, most such men don't have the wisdom to appriciate!
What "men" like you don't realise, is that you think you will make women like you, by sucking up to them and grovelling and toadying to their every whim. In reality, women detest wimps like you, they laugh at you and your pathetic attempts to ingratiate themselves. What they really want, even if they won't admit it themselves, is a **** who treats them like ****. They'll go back time and time again to men like this,and when they are all shagged out, in 20 years time, they'll click their fingers, and someone like you will come scurrying along, like a faithful puppy that's been waiting for it's master. Then they'll settle down, get fat, and nag you til you die.
Meanwhile, for those of us who have evolved, left the cave behind, and progressed to the 21st Century..........
Women like a "caveman". The only ones that don't are lesbians and Communists who don't know what Cognitive Dissonance is.

whereisthe...? says...
10:21pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Feminism definition - "EQUALITY for BOTH sexes." Look it up.


Anything else is sexist, whether you call yourself a 'feminist' or not.

Simple.

mimseycal says...
10:42am Fri 8 Feb 13

That may well be the definition however there is no doubt that in practise Feminism tends to be more partisan.

cheskin88 says...
8:46am Mon 4 Mar 13

rubberflipper wrote:
While I do think that this idea is daft I couldn't help notice this input:

"A member of the university’s Women’s Group"

Surely they mean, a member of the University's feminine, Marxist, Communist or lesbian group.

If such a group existed called the University's Men's Group, it would be labelled as sexist!
There is less need for a Men's Group because that is called society. Pretty much every avenue is mostly male dominated, politics, music, theatre, sport and business. Also, have you not heard of gentlemen's clubs?

mimseycal says...
8:59am Mon 4 Mar 13

Too much over-sensitivity. I'd be far more inclined to see gender equality as an overall aim if there were less feminist groups and more humanity groups.

Feminist this and feminist that only serve to highlight a divide which in turn cannot be addressed because the groups themselves carry the divide on.

Humanity against Violence
Humanity for Equal Pay

Etcetera and so forth.

click2find

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