Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Types of bullying include verbal, social, and physical. Verbal bullying is saying or writing something mean or hurtful. Examples of verbal bullying include taunting, threatening to cause harm, name-calling, or inappropriate sexual comments. Social bullying refers to hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Examples of social bullying are spreading rumors about someone or embarrassing someone in public. Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Examples of physical bullying are hitting, spitting, pushing, or taking of someone’s possessions. These definitions are taken from www.stopbullying.gov. This site offers resources if you feel you or someone you know are a victim of bullying, as well as explores preventative actions that you can take to help if you recognize bullying.

Is it Bullying?

Many state and federal laws address bullying-like actions under very serious terms. Bullying can even be acts like hazing, harassment, and stalking. Furthermore, most adults are uncomfortable with the term <em>bullying</em> because they associate it with school-aged children, but bullying in the form of hazing, harassment, and stalking is rampant among adults.

How Adults and Learners Can Get Help.

We encourage our learners to talk to someone they trust if they feel they are being bullied. The College’s Learner Advising and Life Resources department is available to help with a variety of concerns and complaints, and can help direct you to the appropriate on- and off-campus resources. Additionally, Nightingale College’s Title IX coordinators can help determine if the behavior is sexual harassment. To find the list of Title IX coordinators, review the Safety & Security page on the College’s website by clicking here.

What Can Nightingale College Do?

Once a learner has expressed such a complaint, the College will determine if the behavior violates campus policies by reviewing the Learner Handbook and the College’s codes of conduct in addition to checking the violation against state criminal laws and civil rights laws. If warranted, the College will report criminal acts to campus or community law enforcement. Nightingale College does not condone bullying of any type, including cyberbullying. The College takes any complaint very seriously.

What about Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is defined as “bullying that takes places using electronic technology” including computers, cell phones, and tablets. You might be unenthusiastic about seeking out help for cyberbullying. Nightingale College recognizes it as a serious issue in our society, and we strongly encourage you to report any cyberbullying that you believe is occuring. Learn more about cyberbullying by clicking here.

Remember to always model your behavior to show how to treat others with kindness and respect. By treating others with kindness and respect, we all show that there is no place for bullying on or off campus. In the words of Jewel, “In the end only kindness matters.”

– Ashley Thompson (Manager, Learner Advising and Life Resources)