Bored with sitting idly at a bar waiting for someone to approach you? Frustrated with failed attempts to gather enough courage to finally talk to that special someone in your English class?
There is finally another option for those of you envying friends with dates on their arms, and it’s only a click away.
Internet dating sites have become part of the vocabulary of computer-savvy collegiates at Fairfield and all over the country due to the advanced technology of the 21st century, as well as the extensive use of computers by college students. However, Fairfield students have mixed reviews about using the sites to meet potential dates.
Because of the strong social atmosphere found on campus, some students think the personal approach is best.
“In a school like Fairfield, everyone is so close. It’s easy to find someone,” said Kristine Stark ’07.
Kate McCulley ’06 thought college students were less concerned with dating and being in relationships in general.
“College students don’t seem to date when there are more favorable options like going to the bars,” she said.
Other universities seem to have a different opinion of online dating, however. The U-Wire has carried college newspaper stories this year from Ball State University in Indiana, the University of Indiana and the University of Oklahoma detailing their involvement in the Internet dating scene. Many of the articles promoted the use of Internet dating sites and encouraged fellow students to use them.
Computer use has become so important in the lives of students that The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that four universities developed their own inter-campus dating sites. According to The Chronicle, Wesleyan University has Wesmatch.com, the University of Florida supports DatingGators.com, Georgetown University established GeorgetownSingles.com and the University of Washington developed HuskeySingles.com.
These inter-university dating sites allow students to post pictures and profiles online and test their compatibility with other students on campus. In this way, the first step of personally interacting with fellow classmates is no longer necessary, giving even the most anti-social students the opportunity to form connections without even having to leave the dorm room, an option not tested by some Fairfield students interested in meeting through personal interaction.
Some Fairfield students weren’t entirely against Internet dating, and most could understand the reason for it, as many students reported using the Internet for more than four hours daily.
“Internet dating in college is probably due to the immense amount of time that college students spend on the Internet,” said Justin Littell ’05. “It’s much more time than any other age group I would assume.”
Other students agreed that increased use of Internet dating seemed logical.
“The digital age is so here, so now,” said Stark. “If you do it right and through secure places, I think that’s good.”
Alan Watkins ’07 thought finding relationships through the Internet was a good idea.
“My friend met his fiancé through the Internet,” he said. “I’ve had a girlfriend or two from there, The Internet allows you to meet people from the comfort of your own home, which is nice, especially for people who aren’t that social.”
So what is the reason for this phenomenon at Fairfield and in college campuses across the nation?
“Talking to a stranger online provides students with anonymity,” Judith Primavera, professor of psychology. ” They don’t have to worry as much about impressing people with their appearance or how they speak.”
Kristen Voigt ’05 felt the same way.
“Some students may have problems approaching others face-to-face because of social insecurities,” she said.
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