1. Western Carolina University Student Affairs Case Study Team Leader: Thomas West Team Member: Myranda Floyd Team Member: Hillary Poston A Bullying Public Service Announcement

2. What is Bullying? A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself. 1

3. Facts about Bullying in College According to a study by Indiana State University professors: 2 15% of college students admit being bullied 20% of college students report being cyber bullied Of those who said they have been cyber bullied: 25% were bullied though social networking site; 21% were bullied through text message; 16% were bullied through email; 13% were bullied through instant message With the rise of social media platforms, especially anonymous applications such as Yik Yak, cyber bullying has been on a rise. It is even being used as a platform to cyber bully instructors. 3

4. How Can Student Development Theory Help? Nevitt Sanford’s Theory of Support and Challenge states that students need an equivalent amount of support and challenge in order to develop. In cases of bullying, if students receive too much challenge and are not supported enough, their development is hindered. 4 Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory indicates that people learn behaviors from one another via observation. If students look up to and respect people who bully, the students are more likely to imitate that behavior, thus bullying continues. 5

5. How Can We Stop Bullying? The cycle of bullying ends with YOU! Even if you do not bully others, it is everyone’s social and moral responsibility to stand up for others who are being bullied. For those who have been bullied and are seeking support, it is necessary that such support is provided to them through whatever means necessary, be it counseling, a professor or other staff member, or through peers. Before you post on social media or text, Before you speak, THINK  Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, or Kind?

6. References 1. Maria Minor, Henry M. Brashen, and Gina Smith, “Cyber Bullying in Higher Education: A qualitative student about students cyber bullying instructors,” Walden University, http://www.waldenu.edu/~/media/Files/WAL/about/cyber-bullying-in-higher-education.pdf 2. “Bullying in College: Where and How it Exists,” RA Magazine, September 2014, 3-5. 3. 1. Maria Minor, Henry M. Brashen, and Gina Smith, “Cyber Bullying in Higher Education: A qualitative student about students cyber bullying instructors,” Walden University, http://www.waldenu.edu/~/media/Files/WAL/about/cyber-bullying-in-higher-education.pdf 4. Nancy J. Evans and others. Student Development in College: Theory, Research, and Practice. (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010), 30. 5. Saul Mcleod, Bandura – Social Learning Theory, http://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html