Dehlia Bailey loves a good away message.
When the senior communication major signs on to AOL Instant Messenger each day, she makes it her goal to see what all her friends are up to
"I read everyone's away messages," the senior communication major said. "I like when people have different lyrics up. It makes you think."
AOL Instant Messenger - or AIM - is a phenomenon on college campuses nationwide. Coupled with the service's popularity, the cornerstone of AIM has become the away message.
Away messages can simply state the generic, "I am away from my computer right now," or offer a customized and more detailed account of daily events planned. More often they are used to showcase the emotions the person is feeling.
But students like Caitlin Mahon, a junior environmental engineering major, are frustrated with the state of away messages.
"If there are song lyrics there, it's just a waste of my time," said Mahon. "I don't think these people are pathetic, but they have way to much time on their hands."
According to Marion Fitzsimmons, a clinical psychologist from Hillside Family of Agencies in Rochester, long intense away messages say something about the students who post them.
"The people who put their whole life story in their away messages are definitely reaching out for emotional support," said Fitzsimmons. "They are emotionally needy."
Some who put on elaborate and revealing messages agreed with Fitzsimmons.
Michael Deeb, an undecided freshman, posts song lyrics to both express himself and garner support from friends.
"I put on sad or happy song lyrics depending on my mood. I do it so my friends know how I'm feeling," Deeb said. "And I'll admit I like to be the center of the attention."
Dr. Thomas Feeley, an associate professor in the Department of Communication who has a concentration in family medicine, said it is not just attention-seekers and emotional powder kegs who are prone to posting these types of messages.
"People in general like to advertise their values and likes, and they hope to have some sort of influence on you," he said.
Fitzsimmons says students forget that away messages are a public forum. She said that privacy should cross students mind before they post a message.
"People need to know the boundaries of what to reveal to others. Everyone doesn't need to know everything," Fitzsimmons said. "There are some things that you should just be telling your best friend, not putting in a publicly displayed message."
Although some away messages may seem too personal or expressive, many students admit that they enjoy reading them.
"Song lyrics offer some deep philosophical thought that help you learn what is important to that person," said Eric Caruana, a senior chemical and biological engineering major. "They may think that they are deep thinkers if they put a quote from Confucius in the quote.
Whether it is for expression, attention, pondering or just something to do, long away messages are here for the long run.
Chris Watson, a freshman business major, may have an answer for those irritated by emo-messages.
"If you are so fed up with emotional away messages, just don't read them at all," he said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
