Young entrepreneurs say good night to Facebook, hello to life
Bianca Merbaum
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: A & E
"My goal is not to update people on the latest book of nonfiction I'm reading," said Suchin, "it's about going out and meeting people."
Although the idea of face-to-face interaction through online networks has a history for bringing out desperate creeps and pedophiles, the primary focus of College Tonight, according to Suchin is its privacy. Schools are added to the network through an intricate resource process that looks at the wealth, revenue, and affluence of the actual school, as well as the interconnectivity of neighboring institutions.
The site is mainly for "the trendsetters and the tastemakers," said Suchin. "As unfair as it may seem, we want to make sure people have a community where they can freely express themselves," said Suchin.
"We are never ever going to expand beyond the college demographic - it's a wonderful, rewarding group of people."
There are several playful additions to the site that add a young, college character, such as the "Drunk Dial" messaging service, that gives students the chance to "unsend" trashed rambles and avoid a life of regret.
Other quirks of the site include the "After Hours" hub, for posting Lost and Found announcements, such as "Mike lost his sanity," or "Simon found his keys."
Although College Tonight is still in its rudimentary stages, Suchin and Schutzbank are excited about the pace it's picking up, and are currently launching their Campus Rep Program, seeking to hire like-minded students at each campus to work as liaisons between their college and the general promotion of the site in order to "create the sense of community that Facebook abandoned."
General students will be paid for involvement and receive internship standing with the company.
Although the idea of face-to-face interaction through online networks has a history for bringing out desperate creeps and pedophiles, the primary focus of College Tonight, according to Suchin is its privacy. Schools are added to the network through an intricate resource process that looks at the wealth, revenue, and affluence of the actual school, as well as the interconnectivity of neighboring institutions.
The site is mainly for "the trendsetters and the tastemakers," said Suchin. "As unfair as it may seem, we want to make sure people have a community where they can freely express themselves," said Suchin.
"We are never ever going to expand beyond the college demographic - it's a wonderful, rewarding group of people."
There are several playful additions to the site that add a young, college character, such as the "Drunk Dial" messaging service, that gives students the chance to "unsend" trashed rambles and avoid a life of regret.
Other quirks of the site include the "After Hours" hub, for posting Lost and Found announcements, such as "Mike lost his sanity," or "Simon found his keys."
Although College Tonight is still in its rudimentary stages, Suchin and Schutzbank are excited about the pace it's picking up, and are currently launching their Campus Rep Program, seeking to hire like-minded students at each campus to work as liaisons between their college and the general promotion of the site in order to "create the sense of community that Facebook abandoned."
General students will be paid for involvement and receive internship standing with the company.
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