Ivester shuts down JuicyCampus.com forums
jennifer E. Butler
News Editor
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Campus News
The controversial Web site JuicyCampus.com closed its online forums Thursday, Feb. 5., after setting a record and being added to a handful of sites blocked by University administration last semester.
According to an open letter from Matt Ivester, the Web site's founder and CEO, the move was necessary because of a lack of funding for the venture.
"Even with great traffic and strong user loyalty, a business can't survive and grow without a steady stream of revenue to support it," Ivester stated in the letter. "JuicyCampus' exponential growth outpaced our ability to muster the resources needed to survive this economic downturn, and as a result, we are closing down the site."
Ivester's letter further stated that the shutdown is unrelated to the legal issues JuicyCampus is facing.
Several states' attorney generals have considered filing suit against the Web site.
Regardless of the cause, TSU student leaders are content with the effect, and with TSU's firm stance on the issue.
"I'm really glad that TSU played a part in that movement, in getting it shut down," said SGA president Patrick Walker-Reese, a senior history and education double major from Nashville. "I was glad to see that administration acted so quickly.
"Regardless of the reason, it's good that we lost it to keep any other type of nonsense from being available on the Internet," he added.
Though the original gossip site is down, they have already provided users another alternative place to rant.
A post on the JuicyCampus blog states all traffic from the site is being redirected to CollegeACB.com.
Students have not expressed any interest in continuing the trend. At press time, the TSU board had no posts.
"I have no interest in a site that has the same negative connotations not just for TSU, but for all schools and universities," said Ja'Nay Hawkins, a junior major from St. Louis.
Michael Freeman, associate vice-president for student affairs, seems to have removed the Web site from his memory.
"I remain interested in cultivating learning excellence in students at [TSU] as they pursue their educational endeavors," Freeman said in an email.
At press time, Ivester was not available for a phone interview.•
According to an open letter from Matt Ivester, the Web site's founder and CEO, the move was necessary because of a lack of funding for the venture.
"Even with great traffic and strong user loyalty, a business can't survive and grow without a steady stream of revenue to support it," Ivester stated in the letter. "JuicyCampus' exponential growth outpaced our ability to muster the resources needed to survive this economic downturn, and as a result, we are closing down the site."
Ivester's letter further stated that the shutdown is unrelated to the legal issues JuicyCampus is facing.
Several states' attorney generals have considered filing suit against the Web site.
Regardless of the cause, TSU student leaders are content with the effect, and with TSU's firm stance on the issue.
"I'm really glad that TSU played a part in that movement, in getting it shut down," said SGA president Patrick Walker-Reese, a senior history and education double major from Nashville. "I was glad to see that administration acted so quickly.
"Regardless of the reason, it's good that we lost it to keep any other type of nonsense from being available on the Internet," he added.
Though the original gossip site is down, they have already provided users another alternative place to rant.
A post on the JuicyCampus blog states all traffic from the site is being redirected to CollegeACB.com.
Students have not expressed any interest in continuing the trend. At press time, the TSU board had no posts.
"I have no interest in a site that has the same negative connotations not just for TSU, but for all schools and universities," said Ja'Nay Hawkins, a junior major from St. Louis.
Michael Freeman, associate vice-president for student affairs, seems to have removed the Web site from his memory.
"I remain interested in cultivating learning excellence in students at [TSU] as they pursue their educational endeavors," Freeman said in an email.
At press time, Ivester was not available for a phone interview.•
