<p>Currents mids/parents... does anyone know the regulations regarding the use/possession of a web cam during the Academic Year by plebes? My best friend's girlfriend wants to send him one (after the summer clearly) so they can talk but wants to make sure it is permitted and/or won't bring unwanted attention to him. Anyone have experience with this??</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>my son used on couple of occasions to help his younger brother in math problems, use "windows messenger". seemed to work the best.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>I would say this is a company-by-company decision for plebes. If a company does allow webcams for plebes, the webcams MUST be stored (locked) away when the MIDN is not in the room. This regulation applies to anyone in Bancroft Hall with a webcam.</p>
<p>Also realize that if a company takes away instant messaging for plebes, then it is going to be very hard to use a webcam!</p>
<p>Ooops, i didn't read your post carefully. I'm not sure about "plebe ac year".
Mine was 3rd class when he did, sorry.</p>
<p>This is the scoop according to my Firstie son. He THINKS you can have them, but they have to be turned off and secured during the day. However, all bets are off for the plebes. Their company will define their computer usage rules. I know my son wasn't allowed to use his IM until almost Christmas when he was a plebe. </p>
<p>The best thing would be to wait until Ac Year starts and then see what your friend's company says about it. </p>
<p>One thing, you friend's girlfriend needs to understand that her boyfriend probably won't have time to chat on the computer or phone and if he does, he's going to find himself in trouble because that usually means he's NOT doing something else.</p>
<p>A gentle reminder, this in not going to be your average college experience!</p>
<p>lets try to be optimistic! maybe he will be a part of the 2% club...</p>
<p>
[quote]
If a company does allow webcams for plebes, the webcams MUST be stored (locked) away when the MIDN is not in the room. This regulation applies to anyone in Bancroft Hall with a webcam.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>How come? Is it a matter of theft prevention or some privacy concern? :confused:</p>
<p>more of a security factor....</p>
<p>I think it is more of a privacy concern. If it really was a security concern, then USNA wouldn't allow pictures to be taken inside of Bancroft Hall, nor would they allow webcams, at all.</p>
<p>Our son's company granted the plebes IM access around mid-september....first just emails, then IM's....
around november web cams were granted to the plebes in his company....
much depends on where you land!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies and information everyone!</p>
<p>As someone who went through the application process this year (see my other thread on reapplying), I read up to make myself aware of any and everything and I have been preparing her for a while now. So trust me, she is WELL aware of all of the hurdles. I even explained the 2% club to her. Let me just say that girls crying is not a pleasant thing to experience! </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>My son's had IM the entire AC year but he and the gf decided that they would waste too much time corresponding that way. Instead, he called the gf a few times a week, just before going to the library to study. Both GF and my son got stellar grades, both are involved in EC's at their respective schools and we feel the relationship helped him tremendously through the year. It can be done, and it can be done healthy.</p>